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Lotus leaves and other waterproof examples from nature have inspired scientists to copy their water-repellent architecture to develop new materials but most of the prototypes so far haven't been strong enough to stand up to damage by sharp objects. To address this shortcoming, Professor Jürgen Rühe and colleagues in Germany found a potential solution in nature looking at how a snake sheds its skin. Picture: Snake Shedding it's skin - Poisonous Bush Viper, credit: Mark Kostich/Getty