Hawker Hart Biomimicry

Sunscreen

The sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays can cause sunburn in humans and animals. They can also damage aeroplanes.

Hippos make their own sunblock to stop them getting burnt. Special sweat glands in their bodies make a reddish coloured liquid that is squeezed through the pores in their skin. This natural sunblock can absorb and reflect the sun’s UV rays and protects the hippopotamus.

Early aeroplanes had wood or metal frames covered with fabric. To stop the fabric from being damaged by the sun it was coated with a special dope (a type of varnish). Tiny bits of aluminium in the dope reflected the harmful UV rays. It gives this aeroplane its fantastic silver colour.