The feathers of the desert partridge (also known as desert gangue o Pterocles orientalis) do not seem different from many others, but they hide a superpower: they absorb and transport water. How much? A lot. Basically organic micro bottles. For the first time, researchers from the MIT and Johns Hopkins University analyzed the structure of these feathers to understand how they absorb water and whether this process could be adapted for human use.
Feathers are usually waterproof, but those of the desert partridge are an exception. The male can fly over an oasis, absorb water into his feathers and fly over 20 km into the desert, still having enough water to quench the thirst of his thirsty young. Incredibly, it can carry 15% of its body weight in water while flying at about 64 km/h.
The Secret of the Feathers
The extraordinary water capabilities of the desert partridge were first noticed in 1896 by Edmund Meade-Waldo, an ornithologist and conservationist. However, his colleagues didn't believe him. We have to wait 71 years and arrive in 1967, when Tom Cade e Gordon MacLean brought the issue back into vogue, attracting the attention of the scientific world.
In the new study conducted by Jochen Mueller, researchers used high-resolution electron microscopes and 3D technologies to study the feathers of the desert partridge. They found that their structure is determined by the combination of flexible barbules and straight barbules. These small hooked structures give exceptional shape and aerodynamic resistance.
The feathers absorb water thanks to surface tension that bends the straight barbules, forming teardrop-shaped structures that retain water. The external barbules wrap around the internal structures, helping to keep water inside them. When the feathers dry, the structures return to their original shape.
Possible applications
The authors of the study say that the discovery of these natural structures that are so efficient in absorbing and retaining water is extremely promising. From an engineering point of view, the results could lead to new creations (blessed always). biomimetics!).
Consider desert regions like the Atacama Desert in Chile, where water is scarce but fog and dew are frequent. A structure inspired by desert partridge feathers could be incorporated into water-harvesting nets. And overall, this structure could be more effective at collecting and retaining water from fog.
Another possible application would be the design of a water bottle that can hold a large amount of liquid but which relies on the structure of feathers to prevent the water from moving during, for example, a jogging session.
Next steps: from nature to technology
The researchers plan to 3D print similar structures to explore commercial applications of their discovery. The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface (I link it here) demonstrates how nature can offer surprising solutions to human problems, and reminds us that sometimes it is in the smallest details that the most revolutionary ideas are hidden.
