I can’t outdo the BBC’s headline on this story about a beautiful application for a strange, new material:
A lookout tower at Lindisfarne has installed it to protect the hundreds of species that flock to the island off the north-east coast of England.
The Ornilux glazing reflects ultraviolet light which can be seen by birds but appears invisible to humans.
…
The technology was developed by the German company Arnold Glas.
“A friend of the owner of the company saw an article about the Orb-weaver spider,” said the firm’s export manager Natalie Kopp.
“Its web reflects UV light protecting it from being destroyed by birds as they can see it and do not fly through. The idea of developing a coating for glass… inspired by nature was born on the same evening.”
[via Justin Marley]