Gliding Insects Create Accidental Water Art

John Bush is an MIT professor who specializes in applied mathematics, and often writes about surface tension and the art that comes fromfluid dynamics. A few years ago, he published a paper called "The Hydrodynamics Of Water Strider Locomotion," focusing on the titular bug, known for gliding across murky ponds as if they were frozen over.

His paper explains the physics behind the how the Water Strider can walk on water a la Criss Angel (or, well, Jesus), but to complement his scientific analysis, Bush visualized the critter's kinetic specialty by putting Thymol Blue dye in the water. Through "surface tension force generated by curvature of the free surface," the Water Striders make visual art—we just typically wouldn't notice it.

As the bugs propel themselves across the tinted water, vibrant patterns appear that highlight both how they move and how the water responds to their bodies. Bush (and the bugs) may not have intended to create art in his studies, but the kaleidoscopic patterns that materialize on the water are undeniable visual gems. Regardless, Bush's experiments support the idea that science is art, and art can come down to a science. See for yourself below:

Read more about John Bush's work with Water Striders here.

h/t Txchnologist

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