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Water walkers surf on the edge

Nature (2005)Cite this article

Insects harness surface tension to climb out of ponds.

Navigating your way out of a puddle might not sound like a challenge, but to a tiny insect it is akin to scaling an extremely steep and slippery mountain. Two mathematicians have outlined exactly how little insects manage this feat: they turn surface tension to their advantage and 'surf' up the edge with scarcely any effort.

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References

  1. HuD.L., BushJ.W.M.. Nature, 437. 733 - 736 (2005).

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  1. Michael Hopkin
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Hopkin, M. Water walkers surf on the edge. Nature (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/news050926-10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news050926-10

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