The tiny bombardier beetle is explosive. Literally. To fight off predators, it creates explosions inside its abdomen that allows it spray a stream of chemicals at its foes. Now scientists are studying this phenomenon in more detail to see if the bug’s defense mechanism might have practical applications for things like body armor and crash helmets. Dr. Wah-Keat Lee worked on this at Argonne National Laboratory in the south suburbs. He’s now a scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. 

Unlocking the secrets of the bombardier beetle

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Unlocking the secrets of the bombardier beetle

WBEZ's Tech Shift