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Berkeley Today
By the People, for the People
Jumping Spiders' Hydraulic Mechanism Unveiled
UC Berkeley researcher uses advanced imaging to study the microscopic structures behind spiders' powerful leaps.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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UC Berkeley graduate student Sophie Hanson is using the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to capture detailed 3D images of the internal structures inside jumping spider legs. These spiders use a hydraulic system, similar to the hydraulics found in human-made machinery, to generate the power for their massive leaps. Hanson is just one of 1,600 researchers who utilize the ALS's 40 beamlines each year to study a wide range of scientific questions, from the natural world to quantum physics.
Why it matters
Understanding the mechanics behind jumping spiders' impressive leaping abilities could provide insights into the evolution of arachnid locomotion and inspire the development of new bio-inspired technologies. The ALS is a critical scientific tool that enables researchers to study the microscopic details of natural and man-made systems in ways that were previously impossible.
The details
Hanson is using the ALS's powerful x-ray beams to capture 3D images that reveal the intricate hydraulic system inside jumping spider legs. This system allows the spiders to rapidly fill and empty their leg joints with hemolymph (the spider equivalent of blood) to generate the force needed for their massive jumps, which can be up to 50 times their own body length.
- Hanson is a current graduate student at UC Berkeley.
The players
Sophie Hanson
A graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley who is studying the hydraulic mechanism behind jumping spiders' leaping abilities using the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
Advanced Light Source (ALS)
A synchrotron light source facility at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that provides researchers with intense x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared beams to study a wide range of scientific questions.
What they’re saying
“Understanding the mechanics behind jumping spiders' impressive leaping abilities could provide insights into the evolution of arachnid locomotion and inspire the development of new bio-inspired technologies.”
— Sophie Hanson, Graduate Student (Mirage News)
What’s next
Hanson plans to continue her research at the ALS, using the facility's advanced imaging capabilities to further elucidate the details of the jumping spider's hydraulic system and explore how it has evolved over time.
The takeaway
The ALS at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab is a powerful scientific tool that enables researchers like Sophie Hanson to uncover the microscopic secrets of the natural world, from the intricate mechanics of jumping spiders to the fundamental building blocks of the universe.
