A robot that can jump into flight like a bird could eliminate the need for runways for small fixed-winged drones. Birds use the powerful explosive force generated by their legs to leap into the air ...

Flying insects like bees, dragonflies, and fruit flies can perform impressive aerodynamic feats, particularly when seeking to evade predators or the swatting motion of a human hand. Now Dutch ...

Buckling, the sudden loss of structural stability, is usually the stuff of engineering nightmares. But, as anyone who has ever played with a toy popper knows, buckling also releases a lot of energy.