BioInspired! So What? Now What!

A team lead by Prof. Andy McIntosh (Faculty of Engineering) won the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology Award against stiff competition from five other universities.  A multi-disciplinary team of biologists, chemists and engineers developed a method of producing highly controllable water-based sprays that was inspired by the bombardier beetle.  The µMist™ technology "has multiple potential applications such as new nebulisers, needle-free injections, fire extinguishers and powerful fuel injection systems."

The research was originally funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with further funding and support provided by Swedish Biomimetics 3000 ®.  An article by Lars- Uno Larsson on the mission and goals of Swedish Biomimetics 3000® was published in the February 2008 newsletter.

For more details on the award, see:

• Beetle defence inspires University of Leeds research (BBC)
• Leeds team wins THE Award (University of Leeds)
• Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology (THE digital supplement, page 25)