Scientists may have found one answer to water shortages. It is a material that collects water from the air. They got the idea from an African desert beetle. The beetle is an expert at surviving in dry conditions. Its shell is covered in small bumps. These collect drops of water from the air to keep the beetle alive. Scientists studied the bumps. They will make their own materials to collect water from the air. This will help people who live in very dry areas.

The scientists say this technology could help us. It could help power plants, heating and air conditioning. One scientist said: "Thermal power plants [use things] to quickly convert steam to liquid water. [Our] design could help speed up that process." Another scientist, Joanna Aizenberg, said she was looking forward to getting more new technology from nature. She said: "Everybody is excited about bio-inspired materials research."