A student team from the Institute of Advanced Structure Technology at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) has earned international recognition at the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, taking home a gold medal for their project titled “YOCC – Bioinspired Design of Human Armor Based on Beetle Elytra.” The work reimagines human protective gear by drawing on the natural engineering of beetle exoskeletons.
Engineering Protection from Nature
In nature, many beetles rely on hardened forewings—called elytra—to protect themselves from external threats. These natural structures are lightweight, tough, and remarkably consistent across species, providing a model for impact resistance in extreme environments.
Inspired by this, the BIT team developed a new class of interlocking, energy-dissipating structures designed for human protection. Their prototype features a composite shell that combines high rigidity with controlled friction, allowing it to absorb impact forces while maintaining structural integrity. In addition to its mechanical performance, the armor integrates intelligent sensing components that offer real-time feedback on stress distribution and damage.
A Cross-Disciplinary Effort
Led by Associate Professor Heng Yang, the project brought together students from industrial design, aerospace propulsion, and biomedical engineering. Over two years of development, the team—comprising members from BIT’s School of Design and Arts and Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies—combined insights from biology, materials science, and human-centered design.
The result is a functional prototype that bridges conceptual research and real-world application—demonstrating how biological inspiration can lead to innovation in protective systems.
Recognition on a Global Stage
The Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, held April 9–13, is one of the world’s most prominent showcases of novel technologies. This year’s event featured more than 1,000 projects from over 40 countries. In this competitive setting, BIT’s project stood out for its originality, functional design, and relevance to real-world challenges, earning praise from both judges and international attendees.
Looking Ahead
Beyond personal armor, the modular, beetle-inspired design has potential applications in sports equipment, military protection, and even architectural structures. The team’s focus on sports use-cases highlights the design’s versatility, and plans are underway to further develop the system for commercial deployment.
About the Lead Advisor
Dr. Heng Yang, a tenured associate professor and Ph.D. advisor at BIT, specializes in composite structural design and embedded sensing systems. He currently leads several national-level research initiatives and is an active member of the Chinese Society for Composite Materials.
The success of the YOCC project reflects the growing role of biomimicry in engineering and underscores how interdisciplinary collaboration can accelerate meaningful innovation.