Actually I think this desperate example proves my point. Of course, there
is the saying, "The exception proves the rule" (or should that be "The
supposed exception proves the rule"). Anyway I have decided to prepare a
proposal to the WGBA (World Goat Boxing Association) suggesting that we take
12 goats, 6 to be sprayed with water, 6 to be kept in dry conditions. I
will then get a healthy graduate student to attack each one separately with
a baseball bat. After 10 rounds with each goat the referee (me) will decide
which set of goats did better. I hope I can get Helsinki approval.
(My last proposal dealing with the interaction between Velcro covered frogs
and lotus leaves was rejected; I am hoping for better luck this time.)
KS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dayna Baumeister" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 12:41 AM
Subject: Re: Examples of the benefits of biomimetic materials & structures
Also true of mountain goat horns! They'll actually rub their horns across
dewy grass before engaging in head-on "battles"- supposedly to reduce
breakage potential of their horns.
Dayna
On Sep 20, 2011, at 3:32 PM, Vik Olliver wrote:
> On 21/09/11 02:27, Kalman Schulgasser wrote:
>> Am I raining on someone's parade? Ah, yes, if it rains most "natural
>> materials" begin losing some of their "attractive mechanical properties".
>
> Not really. Some actually get stronger when wet as fibres slide more
> easily over one another and distribute the forces more easily.
>
> Ducks seem to manage OK :)
>
> Vik :v)
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