Backswimmers Can Stay Submerged

Function

The backswimmer (notonectidae) has fine hairs on its stomach and breathes using the bubbles that stick to those hairs, which allows it to stay submerged. When the concentration of carbon dioxide inside the bubbles surpasses a certain level, it causes the internal pressure to exceed the pressure levels outside of the bubble, which then forces the carbon dioxide to dissolve into the water. Pressure levels also change as oxygen is depeleted through respiration, which draws more oxygen inside of the bubble.

Functional Classification

Resouce/Energy/Information Collection & Storage:
Oxygen supply
Transfer/Dispose/Circulate:
ReuseConvection

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Backswimmers’ breathing mechanism can be used to develop a method for supplying oxygen to fuel cells for small, unmanned underwater gliders, precluding the need for an external energy source.

Proposals of Applied Industry

Related Life Style