A bug that jets pee? These comics illustrate nature’s real-life superpowers

Enlarge this image This panel is from the “Slingshot Spiders” comic that describes the manuscript “Ultrafast launch of slingshot spiders using conical silk webs”, published in the journal Current Biology. Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab hide caption toggle caption Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab This panel is from the “Slingshot Spiders” comic that describes the manuscript “Ultrafast launch of slingshot spiders using conical silk webs”, published in the journal Current Biology. Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab The Bhamla Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology studies the biomechanics of different organisms. Springtails. Flamingos. Worms. But they don’t stop there. The team of biophysicists and bioengineers then shares those discoveries on their gorgeous website along with a companion comic. The comics are the brain child of Saad Bhamla, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and principle investigator of the lab. Since 2020, he’s sought to broaden the reach of his lab’s research through simple language and colorful illustrations. “No kid ever would go to Current Biology dot org and actually download and read a research paper. [When I started this], there was this lingering feeling that there has to be a better way to share this beautiful discovery,” Bhamla told NPR’s Short Wave podcast. Sponsor Message The series is called The Curious Zoo of Extraordinary Organisms and has over a dozen comics so far. The series has earned the lab attention throughout the scientific community and is supported by a National Science Foundation CAREER grant. A favorite comic of Bhamla’s son describes how an insect — called the glassy-winged sharpshooter — uses super propulsion to fling away urine that would otherwise stick to its body. The urine moves through the air 40 times faster than a cheetah accelerates. Enlarge this image The first comic created by the Bhamla Lab was about the slingshot spider. Illustrated by Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab hide caption toggle caption Illustrated by Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab The first comic created by the Bhamla Lab was about the slingshot spider. Illustrated by Lindsey Leigh/Bhamla Lab Studying the organisms is worth more than a few fun facts. Bhamla says researching the biomechanisms of organisms can directly inspire technology for humans. “We think we can learn a trick or two from the sharpshooter and improve the ability of low power electronics to eject water from tiny crevices and areas, using very minimal energy,” Bhamla said. At a time when the validity of much scientific research is being called into question, his lab’s basic science research is also a helpful connection point with the broader public. Personally, he’s bonded with non-scientists over a shared love of animals. The comics are an accessible, joyful touch point. “I think, sometimes, it takes stepping out of these ivory towers that scientists put themselves in, writing these fancy journals that really exclude, you know, taxpayers, my neighbors who pay for this,” Bhamla says. “I think a little bit onus is on us to step out of our comfort zone and not underestimate the average American. I think they’re resilient, curious and perhaps sometimes we hold ourselves back.” Sponsor Message Check out more comics at the Bhamla Lab’s website. Want to hear more about nature’s superpowers? Send us an email at [email protected]. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Today’s episode was produced by Berly McCoy and Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Geoff Brumfiel. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Kwesi Lee was the audio engineer.