Materials inspired by Mother Nature: A 1-pound boat that could float 1,000 pounds | Biomimicry | Scoop.it
From portal.acs.org - May 12, 2012 4:38 AM

"Combining the secrets that enable water striders to walk on water and give wood its lightness and strength yielded an amazing material so buoyant that, in everyday terms, a boat made from 1 pound of it could carry about 1,000 pounds."