Today I wanted to share an interesting article from the Nautilus Magazine that I read about the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, and how its architecture mimics the self-cooling mechanisms of termites. Back in 1991, architect Mick Pearce was faced with the challenge to design Zimbabwe's largest commercial building with unconventional air conditioning. Peculiarly enough, … [Read more...] about When Nature Inspired Architecture: The Surprising Story of the Eastgate Centre
Archives for 2025
How UV Filtration Works: The Science Behind Sunscreens
Out of the multitude of skincare products in the world, there is one that is commonly misunderstood: the sunscreen. Generally known as a “protector from the sun” and a “staple on beach days” sunscreen’s benefits are much more expansive than the general public may assume. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main contributor to society’s need for sunscreen. Residing … [Read more...] about How UV Filtration Works: The Science Behind Sunscreens
Optimal Control with the Linear Quadratic Regulator
Welcome back. In today’s blog post, I am excited to share a bit of control theory and explore how we can use the linear quadratic regulator to obtain optimal control laws. Some questions that might come up in this exploration are: what is control theory? and what is a control system? As I understand it, control theory is the mathematical science of how we can alter the behavior … [Read more...] about Optimal Control with the Linear Quadratic Regulator
From Animal to Accessory
From designer handbags to everyday boots, leather is a fashion staple. However, its production comes with significant ethical and environmental costs that are increasingly difficult to ignore. Leather is primarily sourced from cattle raised for meat and dairy, with hides treated as a byproduct. While this may seem like an efficient use of waste, the production process is … [Read more...] about From Animal to Accessory
How Harbor Seal Whiskers inspired Wind Turbine Technology
I read a mind-blowing article by Advanced Science News that talks about how scientists are unraveling the secrets behind seal whiskers, and I can't stop thinking about how incredible these structures are. While most of us probably imagine seal whiskers to be similar to those of cats or dogs, some species like harbor and grey seals have evolved something far more sophisticated - … [Read more...] about How Harbor Seal Whiskers inspired Wind Turbine Technology