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Bionics: Biological insight into mechanical design
Abstract
When pressed with an engineering problem, humans often draw guidance and inspiration from the natural world (1). Through the process of evolution, organisms have experimented with form and function for at least 3 billion years before the first human manipulations of stone, bone, and antler. Although we cannot know for sure the extent to which biological models inspired our early ancestors, more recent examples of biomimetic designs are well documented. For example, birds and bats played a central role in one of the more triumphant feats of human engineering, the construction of an airplane. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci sketched designs for gliding and flapping machines based on his anatomical study of birds. More than 300 years later, Otto Lilienthal built and flew gliding machines that were also patterned after birds (2). Sadly, Lilienthal died in one of his own creations, in part because he failed to solve a difficult problem for which animals would eventually provide another critical insight: how to steer and maneuver. The wing warping mechanism that enabled Orville and Wilbur Wright to steer their airplane past the cameras and into the history books is said to have been inspired by watching buzzards soar near their Ohio home (3).
... Nature-inspired design has been a mainstream paradigm for innovations and inventions for centuries. While it is difficult, if not impossible, to find biological equivalents for most man-made machines, some do have 'natural analogues' [82]. It is believed that the creation process of such machines is inevitably accompanied by 'some reference' to their corresponding natural analogues. ...
... For certain ideas, the natural analogue of a conceived invention is readily available in nature, leading an inventor to the ambition of 'copying' that natural analogue. A well-known example of such an analogy is the idea of human flight compared with the flight of birds, which inspired Lilienthal to write the famous and influential book Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation [82,83]. However, it took several decades for the engineers of flying machines to conclude that directly copying bird flight was not the correct approach to designing aeroplanes. ...
For centuries, naturalist philosophers and scientists have studied the form and function of living organisms, striving to propose theories that describe the interplay between these two essential components of biological entities. This historically significant scientific quest has also emerged as a fundamental question in the design of man-made systems. In particular, humanity’s long-standing ambition to create machines and structures that imitate living organisms has driven the development of the interdisciplinary field of biomimetics. In this work, we explore and formalize various avenues for bioinspiration in engineering and industrial design, aiming to classify different types of formal and functional bioinspiration during early-stage design processes. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the evolution of the form–function relationship in vehicle design from the early twentieth century to the present era, with a particular focus on automobiles. This effort to envision the future culminates in the introduction of a framework proposed as the fifth historical phase of automobile design, where intelligent computation plays a pivotal role in integrating styling and engineering into a unified design environment. We anticipate this work to serve as a starting point for the formalization of the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of the design industry.
... Bionics is a comprehensive discipline, which applies the laws and mechanisms found in biology to solve the problems in engineering technology [23]. After continuous development, its related research has gradually become the focus of academic research [24,25]. Bionic design methods include curve extraction and fitting by contour projection, 3D reverse engineering model extraction and so on. ...
... The results showed that the optimized sliding openers have lower operation open furrow forces than the core-share furrow opener. Dickinson [24] designed nine kinds of cassava digging shovel by extracting the forepaw contour of oriental mole and obtained the optimal scheme through experiments, which effectively realized the lightweight of a digging shovel and improved the mechanical performance. These studies provide a theoretical basis for the shape design of the furrow opener. ...
Liquid fertilizer has many advantages, such as low production cost and little environmental pollution. Liquid fertilizer open furrow strip application method is widely used in fertilizer application operation. The widely used core-share furrow opener has a high operational resistance, disturbing the soil, hurting the crop roots, causing the liquid fertilizer to volatilize and deteriorating the fertilization effect. In this study, based on the streamline curve of the sturgeon body, we designed several bionic sturgeon liquid fertilizer deep application openers by combining bionics and analyzed the effects of several openers under different operating speeds on open furrow resistances and soil disturbance based on the discrete element method. The mechanism of open furrow resistances reduction and efficient soil backfill of the bionic structure were verified by indoor soil bin tests. The test results show that, compared with the core-share type furrow opener, both open furrow resistances and soil disturbance of the bionic sturgeon liquid fertilizer deep application opener are smaller. This study provides theoretical and practical references for the design of liquid fertilizer deep application openers.
... A number of cases have demonstrated that designs inspired by nature not only provide effective solutions to design problems but also induce breakthroughs in innovation and invention (Bar- Cohen, 2012;2016;Benyus, 1997;Bhushan, 2009;Biomimicry Institute, 2015;Hawken et al., 2013;Macnab, 2011;Vincent et al., 2006;Vogel, 1998). Moreover, bio-inspiration achieves the objectives of harmonic existence with nature and sustainable development (Bhushan, 2009;Dickinson, 1999;Hawken et al., 2013;Macnab, 2011;Ramzy, 2015). ...
... Mattheck (1998) was inspired by the coping mechanisms of trees to develop an optimization method. Dickinson (1999) similarly asserted that humans should learn from and follow nature, demonstrating this point with several successful examples of biologically inspired cases. Many researches outline the innovative solutions inspired by nature (Bar- Cohen, 2016;Bhushan, 2009;Chen & Liu, 2001;2002;2003;Vincent, et al., 2006), and Bar-Cohen (2005;2012;2016) and Macnab (2011) advocates the use of nature to stimulate human innovation and problem solving. ...
As industry and technology continues to develop, the incidence of technical bottlenecks and damage to the environment likewise grows. In response, product designers have started to look to nature for inspiration. However, the means of drawing on principles in nature and integrating them into product design and development are a considerable challenge. With the use of a form of qualitative research methods-template analysis, this study used the Biomimicry Design Spiral, proposed by the Biomimicry Institute, as predetermined themes to examine the Bionic Concept Car-Boxfish, developed by Mercedes-Benz and inspired by the aerodynamic qualities of the species 'boxfish'. This paper interprets how the designers and engineers at Mercedes-Benz used the operational mechanisms of a living being to achieve innovative product design; we also examine the influence of this approach on the design and development process. We further demonstrate how to apply the Biomimicry Design Spiral in assisting with the biologically inspired product design in question.
... The booming of technologies, including those pertaining to artificial intelligence, has raised the need for desirable mediation that encourages the creation and mindful use of technologies, such that it considers issues of sustainability and enables the maintenance of peace, equity, and public welfare. Biomimicry, the science, and art of drawing inspiration from nature to develop designs and technologies, is increasingly being identified as a significant educational approach to preparing future workforce and developing sustainable solutions, which are in sync with the natural environment (Eadie & Ghosh, 2011;Dickinson, 1999, Ilieva et al., 2022Stevens et al., 2021;Varshabi, et al., 2022). ...
Contemporary literature in engineering education calls for focused efforts towards revitalizing the curriculum, pedagogic practice, and assessments. Creating multidisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities through a biomimicry module offers authentic and situated experiences for designing sustainable solutions inspired by and in harmony with nature. This paper premises the conscious use of biomimicry in mediating problem-solving through the development and implementation of a biomimicry module for engineering undergraduates in India. The study employs intervention design, with a pre-and post-intervention survey to understand the quality of impact. Analysis of students’ engagement revealed insights into the role of an authentic pedagogy to meaningfully initiate engineering students into the process of problem-solving. A significant improvement was noted in their performance scores, post the intervention. The study identifies salience of explicitly grounding the biomimicry principles and encouraging learners to extend conceptual connections. This innovative pedagogic tool, presented as a biomimicry module, in engineering education involves reaping the benefits of a discursive pedagogic engagement, practicing formative and authentic assessments, and using reflexive praxis for optimizing meaningful learning. The study also discusses critical insights into the cognitive and affective relationship of learners as they engaged in the processes of design and engineering problem-solving.
... Biological transport systems and their organizational principles could serve as an excellent source of inspiration for a variety of new solutions. In fact, logistics in the sense of the organization, coordination and optimization of material flows, is a ubiquitous ingredient of biological systems, and bio-inspired approaches have often solved engineering problems in the past: A considerable number of natural structures and designs have been imitated under keywords such as "biomimicry", "biomimesis", or "bionics" [3,6,21,34] Moreover, genetic algorithms and evolutionary optimization have been successfully applied to many problems, where exact optimization was not possible [26]. In contrast to previous bio-inspired approaches, which were primarily focused on imitating structural designs, we propose to concentrate on functional principles now, particularly on issues of dynamics and adaptive organization. ...
The growth of world population, limitation of resources, economic problems and environmental issues force engineers to develop increasingly efficient solutions for logistic systems. Pure optimization for efficiency, however, has often led to technical solutions that are vulnerable to variations in supply and demand, and to perturbations. In contrast, nature already provides a large variety of efficient, flexible and robust logistic solutions. Can we utilize biological principles to design systems, which can flexibly adapt to hardly predictable, fluctuating conditions? We propose a bio-inspired "BioLogistics" approach to deduce dynamic organization processes and principles of adaptive self-control from biological systems, and to transfer them to man-made logistics (including nanologistics), using principles of modularity, self-assembly, self-organization, and decentralized coordination. Conversely, logistic models can help revealing the logic of biological processes at the systems level.
... As Dickinson emphasized in [31], methods of producing various materials have become more sophisticated and advanced. Todoresin [32] cited that the arrangement of fibers in plants and trees is oriented according to a specific pattern, yielding desirable mechanical properties. ...
This paper focuses on the development of a methodology for the directional structural modification of warp-knitted fabrics by sewing on carbon fiber tapes. Four-, five-, and six-axial geometric systems were designed to optimize the qualitative distribution of stresses on the surface of the tested product. Through a numerical experiment in the ANSYS environment, the impact of the change in the axiality of a textile structure on the mechanical properties of the modeled geometric configuration was assessed. This analysis was experimentally verified by measuring the multiaxial force distribution on the knitted surface, which demonstrated that Variant 7, with six axes 30° apart, was the most favorable.
... In the past, bionic researchers investigated many prototypes in nature, which may have the potential for future engineering design [12]. Bionics and the related fields of biomechanics and biomimetics can help integrate system design with nature [13]. The dynamic behaviour of a bio-inspired artificial dolphin system improved the performance of a dolphin-like robot [14]. ...
The devastating impacts of tsunamis on humans and strategic infrastructure for naval defence emphasize the requirements for coastal protection. Further, offshore floating platforms are deployed extensively to accommodate the expanding need for oil and gas exploration and wave and wind energy extraction. They are commissioned for limited applications, making them uneconomical. In the present study, a novel attempt is made to combine the functional aspects of coastal protection with energy harvest. The current study focuses on dynamic response analysis of one such novel platform TSUSUCA DOLPHINPatented to act as a tsunami barrier in addition to a wave energy extracting device. Apart from wave energy extraction, solar panels are placed on the deck for additional energy capture. The design follows a bio-inspired geometry to attract tourists under normal sea states. The dynamic response of the multi-body by considering 2 TSUSUCAs is presented. The suggested platform’s dynamic response under regular and irregular waves is being studied numerically and experimentally. The design’s proposed motion characteristics, notably heave and pitch, aid in the capture of wave energy for a wide variety of wave amplitudes. This allows the TSUSUCA body to move in an oscillating motion in the vertical plane, one of the platform’s critical activities: tsunami protection.
... We aim to leverage these models not only to generate standard and specific designs that meet predetermined engineering criteria but also to discover novel designs that integrate both visual and practical elements, a concept known as novelty search [13]. Historically, many innovative designs have drawn inspiration from nature's exemplary creations, a practice referred to as "bionics" [14]. This historical precedent motivates us to explore whether generative models can simultaneously tackle design tasks across multiple domains, thereby facilitating cross-domain learning and resulting in a series of innovative design solutions. ...
The rapid research and development of generative artificial intelligence has enabled the generation of high-quality images, text, and 3D models from text prompts. This advancement impels an inquiry into whether these models can be leveraged to create digital artifacts for both creative and engineering applications. Drawing on innovative designs from other domains may be one answer to this question, much like the historical practice of ``bionics", where humans have sought inspiration from nature's exemplary designs. This raises the intriguing possibility of using generative models to simultaneously tackle design tasks across multiple domains, facilitating cross-domain learning and resulting in a series of innovative design solutions. In this paper, we propose LLM2FEA as the first attempt to discover novel designs in generative models by transferring knowledge across multiple domains. By utilizing a multi-factorial evolutionary algorithm (MFEA) to drive a large language model, LLM2FEA integrates knowledge from various fields to generate prompts that guide the generative model in discovering novel and practical objects. Experimental results in the context of 3D aerodynamic design verify the discovery capabilities of the proposed LLM2FEA. The designs generated by LLM2FEA not only satisfy practicality requirements to a certain degree but also feature novel and aesthetically pleasing shapes, demonstrating the potential applications of LLM2FEA in discovery tasks.
... УспішнІ біоміметичні дизайни базуються на розумній морфології біологічних матеріалів 3 . ...
... Since the 1990s [19], caterpillars have been inspiring the application in the robotics field integrating kinematic chains [20,21]. The larvae of two main groups of species of Lepidoptera caterpillars, Geometridae-Taxonomic Hierarchy: family (that has 35 000 species-two pairs of prolegs 'C-2PP') [22][23][24][25][26] and Plusiinae-Taxonomic Hierarchy: subfamily (that has 400 species-three pairs of prolegs 'C-3PP') [27][28][29][30][31][32] can be found in many places around the world. ...
Inching-locomotion caterpillars (ILAR) show impressive environmental adaptation, having high dexterity and flexibility. To design robots that mimic these abilities, a novel bioinspired robotic design (BIROD) method is presented. The method is composed by an algorithm for geometrical kinematic analysis (GEKINS) to standardize the proportional dimensions according to the insect’s anatomy and obtain the kinematic chains. The approach is experimentally applied to analyze the locomotion and kinematic chain of these specimens: Geometridae—two pair of prolegs (represents 35 000 species) and Plusiinae—three pair of prolegs (represents 400 species). The obtained data indicate that the application of the proposed method permits to locate the attachment mechanisms, joints, links, and to calculate angular displacement, angular average velocity, number of degrees of freedom, and thus the kinematic chain. Geometridae in contrast to Plusiinae, shows a longer walk-stride length, a lower number of single-rotational joints in 2D (3 DOF versus 4 DOF), and a lower number of dual-rotational joints in 3D (6 DOF versus 8 DOF). The application of BIROD and GEKINS provides the forward kinematics for 35 400 ILAR species and are expected to be useful as a preliminary phase for the design of bio-inspired arthropod robots.
... To advance the study of knowledge transfer in CPS, we developed a prototype heuristic paradigm that focuses on creativity in analogical transfer, and can also be implemented in ways that involve substantial memory search demands [64][65][66][67][68]. Many historical examples demonstrate creative solutions that addressed important problems by drawing inspiration from the adaptive feature optimization of biological species (i.e., bionic imitation) [69]. A relatively modern example is the engineering of water and grime-dispersing perturbations for nonstick surfaces of buildings and vehicles, which was inspired by the nonstick surface of the lotus flower's petals [70]. ...
Creative problem solving (CPS) in real-world contexts often relies on reorganization of existing knowledge to serve new, problem-relevant functions. However, classic creativity paradigms that minimize knowledge content are generally used to investigate creativity, including CPS. We argue that CPS research should expand consideration of knowledge-rich problem contexts, both in novices and experts within specific domains. In particular, paradigms focusing on creative analogical transfer of knowledge may reflect CPS skills that are applicable to real-world problem solving. Such paradigms have begun to provide process-level insights into cognitive and neural characteristics of knowledge-rich CPS and point to multiple avenues for fruitfully expanding inquiry into the role of crystalized knowledge in creativity.
... Bionics is the application of biological methods and systems found in nature aiming for design and fabrication of modern engineering systems and technologies [27,28]. It has been proved that that bio-inspired design is a novel and efficient method to optimize the manufacturing processes [29][30][31]. ...
In this work, a novel shear blade was designed using the bio-inspired design method based on the outline curves of the badger incisors. Metal shearing experiments and numerical simulation were conducted to demonstrate the improved shearing cutting performance using the novel bio-inspired shearing tool both experimentally and numerically. The experimental results indicated the metal shearing process with bio-inspired shear blade exhibited both lower vertical force and lower temperature, especially when shearing thicker metal. Finish shear surface in Blade B exhibited the longer burnish length, which indicated Blade B also obtained a better finish surface quality. This experimental observation could be attributed to that the shear cutting process using Blade B gathered a shorter duration of elastic deformation process and a longer duration of plastic deformation process. Meanwhile, the numerical simulation results showed that the Blade B has the ability in reducing temperature in deformation zone, which is more beneficial for the extension of tool life. It can thus be concluded that optimization of cutting tool geometry using the bio-inspired curves will greatly benefit the metal shearing process. This work could provide useful guidance for the performance improvement of shear cutting process using bio-inspired design of animal prototype.
... This field of applied sciences is fundamentally associated with the development of bioinspired solutions based on a certain aspect or characteristic extracted from the natural world. Such solutions can be used on and applied into projects from a variety of fields [6]: from product design [60,92], architecture [61,70,101], engineering [20,95], and materials science [31,144,145] to biomedicine [53,128], management [105], and robotics [100]. Having its origins focused on applications in military projects, mainly marked by the development of the SONAR, according to [136], bionics can be defined "as the study of living and life-like systems with the goal to discover new principles, techniques, and processes to be applied in man-made technology". ...
Bionics is fundamentally based on the development of projects for engineering, design, architecture, and others, which are inspired by the characteristics of a biological model organism. Essentially, bionics is based on a transdisciplinary approach, where teams are composed of researchers trained in a variety of disciplines, aiming to find and adapt characteristics from nature into innovative solutions. One of the key steps in a bioinspired project is the comprehensive study and analysis of biological samples, aiming at the correct understanding of the desired features prior to their application. Among the most sought natural elements for a project to be based on, plants represent a large source of inspiration for bionic designs of structures and products due to their natural efficiency and high mechanical performance at the microscopical level, which reflects into their functional morphology. Therefore, examining their microstructure is crucial to adapt them into bioinspired solutions. In recent years, several new technologies for materials characterization have been developed, such as X-ray Microtomography (µCT) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), allowing newer possibilities to visualize the fine structure of plants. Combining these technologies also allows that the plant material could be virtually investigated, simulating environmental conditions of interest, and revealing intrinsic properties of their internal organization. Conversely to the expected flow of a conventional methodology in bionics—from nature-to-project —besides contributing to the development of innovative designs, these technologies also play an important role in investigations in the plant sciences field. This chapter addresses how investigations in plant samples using those technologies for bionic purposes are reflecting on new pieces of knowledge regarding the biological material itself. An overview of the use of µCT and FEA in recent bionic research is presented, as well as how they are impacting new discoveries for plant anatomy and morphology. The techniques are described, highlighting their potential for biology and bionic studies, and literature case studies are shown. Finally, we present future directions that the potential new technologies have on connecting the gap between project sciences and biodiversity in a way both fields can benefit from them.
... 3. Sharkskin-patterned surfaces: methods of fabrication and their antibacterial, antibiofouling and other biological properties 'Bionic' is a term that describes any engineered design that is either mimicked, inspired or guided by nature. 61,62 As the need for antibiofouling, antiviral and antibacterial surfaces increased, scientific inquiries were made into how animals and plants deal with the issue of microorganism adhesion and infection. 63 Sharks have been at the epicenter of this quest for some years now, and many have tried fabricating surfaces that mimic the exact surface topography of sharkskin or create structures that resemble the shape of sharkskin microstructure at various scales and dimensions. ...
Sharks possess numerous biological features such as highly developed senses and an efficient liver that have stunned researchers over the past few decades. Aside from these, sharks are well known for the ability of their skin to reduce drag force and prevent adhesion of microorganisms such as bacteria. Recently, investigating the antibiofouling properties of sharkskin and particularly the mechanism of antibacterial activities has been trending, and ongoing research studies are conducted to understand the extent of the antibiofouling and identify the possible underlying mechanisms. Hence, in this review, the authors take a look at sharkskin morphology and discoveries thus far regarding its unique attributes and their underlying mechanisms along with possible applications such as catheters, implantable cardiovascular devices and medical devices. The focus of this review is the antibiofouling properties of sharkskin-patterned surfaces prepared through biomimicked and bioinspired approaches in healthcare applications.
... "Bionics is the study of the structure, properties, principles, behaviors and interactions of biological systems, so as to provide new design ideas, working principles and system composition for engineering technology" was proposed by Academician (Yongxiang, 2004). So far, there is no unified and clear definition of bionics in the strict sense, but its basic connotation is clear: Bionics improves modern technical equipment and creates new technologies by studying and imitating various characteristics of the biological world (Dickinson, 1999), such as matter, energy, information, etc. ...
As one of the most important production activity of mankind, agriculture plays an important role in social development. With the development of science and technology, agricultural technology has constantly been explored and researched. By learning and imitating the characteristics of creatures in nature, bionic technology has been applied to the improvement of agricultural machinery and farm implements. In recent years, as an extension of bionic technology, machine vision and deep learning have been widely used in agricultural production. The application of bionic technology and deep learning in agricultural engineering are reviewed in this study. In traditional agricultural engineering, many bionic farming tools were developed to reduce soil resistance and multiple bionic cutting cutters were designed to improve work efficiency and save energy. Machine vision and neural networks were widely used in crop classification, sorting, phenological period recognition and navigation. Deep learning methods can promote the intelligentization of agricultural engineering and has obvious advantages in crop classification, disease and pest identification, growth status evaluation and autonomous robots. Agricultural engineering that integrates bionic technology, machine vision and deep learning will develop toward more automation and intelligence.
... Nature has had millions of years to adapt through the means of natural selection and in recent years engineers have increasingly relied upon the time-tested solutions produced by nature to draw inspiration for engineered products, processes, and algorithms. For example, nature has inspired an array of recent engineering designs such as gecko's feet inspiring adhesives, 9 tumbleweed inspiring a futuristic Mars Lander, 10 clinging hooks of plant seeds inspiring fabric fasteners, 11 and evolutionary principles inspiring artificial intelligence algorithms. 12 Obstacle avoidance is a problem that many land-, air-, and water-based creatures are accustomed to handle and that many man-made autonomous vehicles must address effectively to be widely accepted by the society. ...
... Due to their low cost, good thermal conductivity, and processability, gray iron brakes are widely used in truck braking systems [1]. Many effective methods have been proposed to strengthen the service life of cast-iron brake drums. ...
When the surface of gray cast iron is subjected to laser irradiation and melted and then re-solidified, a material can be obtained that has a superior structure and properties to the base metal. On the surface of gray iron brake drums, the surface of the raw material can be processed into a bionic coupling surface with different shapes, structures, and soft and hard tissues similar to the surface of an organism. The wear resistance and fatigue resistance of brake drum surfaces can be greatly improved. However, the relative wear characteristics of the friction pairs in brake systems show that performance improvements in brake systems are the result of appropriately matching the brake drum and brake pad. This paper studies the wear relationship between three kinds of commonly-used brake pads (semi-metallic, organic asbestos-free, and ceramic) and different biomimetic models of brake drum samples. The interaction mechanism and failure mode between three kinds of brake pads and bionic samples were determined. According to the wear test results, the matching relationship between the brake pads and the brake drum was analyzed and determined, which provides a basis for the application of bionic brake drums.
... Bionics as a science discipline engages itself in technical realization and application of constructions, processes and evolutionary principles of biological systems. This relatively new interdisciplinary science synthesizes knowledge of biology with other sciences: physics, chemistry, design, medicine, mechanical engineering, architecture, design, psychology etc. [2,3]. It includes the following disciplines: ...
The main goal of the research presented in this paper is creation of innovative concept for prefabricated houses for living, using the modular principal. The leading idea is assembling of prefabricated houses as structures of modules, with possibility for relatively easy changes during the exploitation: adding, removing or re-combination of modules according to the space requirements of the users. Each of the modules would be fabricated as a fully prepared self standing room for living. The shape and construction of the modules, as well as their space arrangement are derived according to the principals of bionics. The quality of the presented concept is approved trough several analyses: static analysis of the construction using finite elements method; solar analysis for election of perfect orientation and insulation; thermal analysis. ИНЖЕНЕРСКИ АНАЛИЗИ НА БИОНИЧКИ СТРУКТУРИ ОД СОСТАВЛИВИ МОДУЛИ А п с т р а к т: Истражувањето презентирано во овој труд има за цел креирање иновативно решение, концепт, за монтажни објекти за живеење со примена на модуларен принцип. Водечката идеја е формирање на структури од готови модули, кои лесно се монтираат и демонтираат и имаат можност за релативно лесни промени во текот на нивната експлоатација како објекти за живеење: додавање, одземање или рекомбинација на модулите според просторните потреби на корисниците. Предвидено е секој модул да претставува целосно изведена самоносечка просторија за живеење или комбинација од неколку помали простории. Формата и конструкцијата на модулите, како и начинот на нивното комбинирање се изведени со примена на принципите на биониката. Квалитетот на презентираниот концепт е потврден преку неколку извршени анализи: статичка анализа на конструкцијата со помош на методот на конечни елементи; соларна анализа зарад избор на идеална ориентација и позиционирање; термичка анализа за испитување на енергетската ефикасност. Клучни зборови: модуларен дизајн; бионички дизајн; енергетска ефикасност
... In previous experimental studies, heuristic knowledge was found to have an important role in problem representations and gaining insights. Based on these studies, the Prototype Heuristic Theory was proposed (Dickinson 1999;Dandan et al. 2013a, b;Hao et al. 2013;Luo et al. 2013;Tong et al. 2015). ...
Representation connection (RC) is a stable ability that significantly predicts the accuracy of scientific innovation problem solving while critical thinking has been strongly related to problem solving. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been assessed. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and scientific innovation problem solving materials, we investigated the correlation between RC and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in healthy young participants. We found that RC was positively correlated with rGMV in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and in a cluster in the left medial frontal gyrus (MFG). These results indicate that increased rGMV in the right STG may lead to the ability to overcome misdirection more easily, which may result in better semantic integration of the “certain construction” of heuristic prototypes. Increased rGMV in the left MFG may be associated with forming novel associations and retrieving matched unsolved technical problems from memory. Further analysis revealed that the interaction between critical thinking and rGMV predicted RC in insightful problem solving, and found that higher rGMV was correlated with higher RC in participants with lower cognitive maturity, but not in participants with higher cognitive maturity. These findings suggest that rGMV could interact with cognitive maturity to modulate RC in insightful problem solving.
... Many engineering solutions were inspired by natures. When facing a challenging engineering problem, humans often draw guidance and inspiration from the natural world [1,2]. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered as one of the most effective surgical treatments of treating serious stubborn resistance movement disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor [3]. ...
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an exciting method to treat human movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, through placement of high frequency stimulating electrodes in the region of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus. To overcome the drawbacks of currently available electrodes in the market for DBS, a conceptual design of a micro neural probe is proposed to reduce the size of the cross section and without affecting the stimulation effects. The design concept is inspired by mosquito fascicles. Instead of using the 1.25 mm circular probes, a 0.5 mm semi-circular probe is proposed for use in this study. The neural probe is designed to penetrate through a foundation structure, which provides a function similar to the protective sheath surrounding the fascicle to provide support to the beam. In such a way, the instantaneous strut length bearing the buckling load can be significantly reduced. Simulation analysis showed that such a probe can withstand an axial force of 2 N without buckling under a safety factor of 5, which is above the magnitude of the resistance force of around 1.6 N in the probe penetration.
... Natural creatures, with unique but reasonable structures and functions formed as a result of biological evolution, always give us inspirations to design and fabricate functional surfaces with extreme wettability. [1][2][3][4][5] To date, there has been a lot of research focusing on fabrication of bioinspired structured surfaces with extreme wettability mimicking different natural creatures. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Water strider is a kind of long-legged inset that can stand effortlessly and even run quickly on the water surface, resulting from its floating capability. ...
Aquatic microrobots, which can walk freely on water mimicking water striders, have attracted considerable interest among scientists in biomimetic area. Most of previous water strider robots adopted gear pairs as their driving mechanism, which called for high assembly precision and thereby increased the processing difficulty. Here, a novel and simple method using servos as the driving module to prepare water walking robot was proposed. We fabricated this robot by using supporting and actuating legs with excellent superhydrophobicity. Our robot weighted 27.9 g, but could float and run quickly driven by mini-type servos under remote Bluetooth control in mobile terminal. The legs were obtained on Al substrates by chemical etching, boiling-water immersion and low surface energy modification. Then, surface morphology and chemical compositions were subsequently investigated by SEM, EDS and XRD. In order to better illustrate the floating and rowing mechanism of this robot on the water surface, mechanics analysis models were proposed to analyze the lifting force and resistance force, respectively. Due to its excellent floating capacity and rowing ability, the biomimetic robot has promising application potential in water quality monitoring, aquatic exploration, and other surveillance missions.
... In 1960, Jack E. Steele first coined bionics [1], which applies biological methods or systems found in nature to design engineering systems. Over decades of development of modern bionics, the new interdisciplinary-biomimetic robotics (biorobotics) are proposed to design robots inspired from nature biological systems. ...
This paper proposes a new robotic fish which avoids the complex mechanical structure and reduces the model complexity comparing to the existing bioinspired robotic fish, giving rise to a semibiomimetic robotic fish . The generalized Lagrange equation is adopted to establish the dynamic model of the robotic fish. The controllability of the system is analyzed, upon which a trajectory tracking control algorithm is designed by using the feedback linearization technique. The simulation results show that the dynamic model adopted in this paper can achieve better control performance.
Due to accelerated urbanization, modern urban residents are facing increasing life pressures. Many citizens are experiencing situational aversion in daily commuting, and the deterioration in the traffic environment has led to psychological distress of varying degrees among urban dwellers. Cyclists, who account for about 7% of urban commuters, lack a sense of belonging in the urban space and experience significant deficiencies in the corresponding urban infrastructure, which causes more people to face significant barriers to choosing cycling as a mode of transportation. To address the aforementioned issues, this study proposes a bionic intelligent interaction helmet (BIIH) designed and validated based on the principles of bionics, which has undergone morphological design and structural validation. Constructed around the STM32-embedded development board, the BIIH is an integrated smart cycling helmet engineered to perceive environmental conditions and enable both human–machine interactions and environment–machine interactions. The system incorporates an array of sophisticated electronic components, including temperature and humidity sensors; ultrasonic sensors; ambient light sensors; voice recognition modules; cooling fans; LED indicators; and OLED displays. Additionally, the device is equipped with a mobile power supply, enhancing its portability and ensuring operational efficacy under dynamic conditions. Compared with conventional helmets designed for analogous purposes, the BIIH offers four distinct advantages. Firstly, it enhances the wearer’s environmental perception, thereby improving safety during operation. Secondly, it incorporates a real-time interaction function that optimizes the cycling experience while mitigating psychological stress. Thirdly, validated through bionic design principles, the BIIH exhibits increased specific stiffness, enhancing its structural integrity. Finally, the device’s integrated power and storage capabilities render it portable, autonomous, and adaptable, facilitating iterative improvements and fostering self-sustained development. Collectively, these features establish the BIIH as a methodological and technical foundation for exploring novel research scenarios and prospective applications.
The increasing threat of tsunamis to coastal populations and strategic naval infrastructure highlights the need for enhanced coastal protection measures. In parallel, offshore floating platforms, deployed for oil and gas exploration are also being focused as potential sources of wave and wind energy harvest. The current study integrates the functional objective of coastal protection with energy harvesting in the design of a multi-functional, bio-inspired floating offshore platform, TSUSUCA-DOLPHINPatented. The geometric design is to serve as a tsunami barrier when provided in parallel units while the primary function is to serve as a wave energy converter. In addition, the bio-inspired geometry enhances its appeal as a tourist attraction, enabling its use as a training center for sea sickness under normal sea conditions. The conceptual design and working mechanism of TSUSUCA-DOLPHINPatented are discussed in the paper, and its dynamic response is evaluated through numerical simulations. The platform's response to heave and pitch modes is analyzed to demonstrate its dual functionality in energy harvesting and coastal protection. This study provides a preliminary framework for developing multi-purpose offshore platforms that offer energy extraction, coastal defense, and recreational opportunities.
Offshore floating platforms are increasingly being examined for their possibilities of harvesting wave and wind energy in addition to oil and gas exploration functions. The current experimental studies are focused on the design and development of the TSUSUCA DOLPHIN. TSUSUCA is a coined word that is abbreviated as Tsunami Protection Solar Power Utilization and coastal applications. This new multi-purpose floating device can be a wave energy convertor and a tsunami barrier. A bio-inspired dolphin-shaped body is combined with a linear motion electricity generator (LMEG) that is hinged at the top of the base block. The proposed design distinguishes it from the other wave energy converters that operate in normal sea states. TSUSUCA DOLPHIN, designed for the near-shore conditions, is experimentally investigated under regular waves to compare its performance under different inputs. In a few cases considered in the study, hydropower obtained from the device recorded an efficiency of about 32% and the electrical power efficiency of LMEG is about 30.07%. The proof of concept is successfully demonstrated by the bio-inspired device’s performance. This research lays the groundwork for future developments in this area by facilitating the creation of further devices that target the use of wave energy.
Finding sustainable and infinite green energy options in a world that relies primarily on fossil fuels is crucial as
traditional sources decline. Wave energy is an excellent example of an environmentally friendly power source. A
multi-utility bio-inspired floating device consisting of two TSUSUCA (TSUnami Protection Solar Utilization and
other Coastal Applications) Dolphin-shaped bodies integrated with a linear motion electricity generator (LMEG)
connected to a rigid deck by a hinged connection is tested experimentally under irregular waves. This novel and
innovative multi-utility floating offshore device can function as a tsunami barrier and a wave energy extraction
device. Its performance and operating mechanism are investigated under 8 different sets of irregular waves. The
examined sea states are represented by JONSWAP and PM wave spectra with a range of significant wave heights
(0.05–0.20 m) and peak periods (1.5 and 2.0 s). The experimental results show that the overall electrical power
efficiency of LMEG coupled to each Dolphin obtained for set 6 is 32.04 % and 30.81 % for both JONSWAP and
PM spectrums, respectively. This bio-inspired device and its performance confirms the proof-of-concept while the
presented study shall become a prime factor towards the development of more similar devices to harness wave
energy.
Biological water striders have advantages such as flexible movement, low disturbance to the water surface, and low noise. Researchers have developed a large number of biomimetic water strider robots based on their movement mechanism, which have broad application prospects in water quality testing, water surface reconnaissance, and search. This article mainly reviews the research progress of biomimetic water strider robots. First, the biological and kinematic characteristics of water striders are outlined, and some mechanical parameters of biological water striders are summarized. The basic equations of water strider movement are then described. Next, an overview is given of the past and current work on skating and jumping movements of biomimetic water strider robots based on surface tension and water pressure dominance. Based on the current research status of biomimetic water strider robots, the shortcomings of current research on biomimetic water striders are summarized, and the future development of biomimetic water strider robots is discussed. This article provides new insights for the design of biomimetic water strider robots.
Improving mechanical topology optimization (TO) results by substituting biomimetic beams is one possibility to achieve designs of mechanical components that are highly sustainable and show good mechanical performance. Because of their geometric complexity, such designs were found to be well-suited for production by laser additive manufacturing. One obstacle of incorporating biomimetics beams in TO designs is the lack of detailed design methodologies. Röver et al. [“Methodology for integrating biomimetic beams in abstracted topology optimization results,” in Proceedings of the ASME 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 4: Biomedical and Biotechnology; Design, Systems, and Complexity Columbus, OH, 30 October–3 November (ASME, New York, 2022)] proposed a corresponding design concept. Building on their concept, we present in this work a detailed methodology for abstraction of TO results to a design consisting of ball nodes and cylindrical beams. Using such an auxiliary design, the internal forces and moments of the beams can be evaluated to allow for the substitution of suitable biomimetic beams to generate biomimetic component designs in a next step. We present a skeletonization algorithm based on the potential field approach. Using the skeletonization and an additional analysis of the dimensions of the beams in the TO result, the algorithm develops an auxiliary design of the original TO result. The final algorithm was applied to three common TO results to obtain one auxiliary component design each. The developed algorithm was found to generate abstractions that were well-suited for use in the methodology proposed in Röver et al. [“Methodology for integrating biomimetic beams in abstracted topology optimization results,” in Proceedings of the ASME 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 4: Biomedical and Biotechnology; Design, Systems, and Complexity Columbus, OH, 30 October–3 November (ASME, New York, 2022)], because internal forces and moments in the abstracted beams could be evaluated with less effort. Therefore, our work contributes to a detailed design methodology for biomimetic mechanical components in the field of design for additive manufacturing.
The subject of this work is the optimization of a topology for sandwich plates with an internal arborescent microstructure. Here, we propose a parametric approach to the optimization using visual programming methods in the Dynamo Sandbox environment. An internal structure of the sandwich plate was optimized in terms of minimizing the weight of the entire structure in relation to the compressive strength. Several variable parameters in the optimization process were applied: lengths of individual tree levels, their cross-sections and locations of nodes. To validate obtained results of the optimization process, a 3D model of the plate was printed and tested on compressive strength. The results were also analysed and compared with other authors’ research.
Background
The bionic water strider robot can achieve sliding, jumping, and other movements on the water surface, having advantages of small size, light weight, flexible movements, and other characteristics. It can detect the quality of water, investigate and search the water surface, and perform some other operations. It has a very broad range of applications and development prospects. Therefore, the trend of biomimetic water strider robots is attracting more and more attention.
Objective
This study aimed to review the bionic water strider robot and introduce its classification, characteristics, and development.
Methods
This paper reviews various productions and patents related to the bionic water strider robot from 2003 to the present. The sources of the papers include CNKI, Wanfang, Patent publication announcement in China, Web of Science, IEEE, Elsevier, Springer-Verlag, Espacenet, and FPO IP Research & Communities. To obtain the results, an endnote was used for documentation, and citeSapce was used for visual analysis.
Results
The mechanical structure of existing bionic water strider robots has been analyzed and compared. Furthermore, the typical characteristics are concluded. The main problems in its development are analyzed, and the development trend is foreseen. Furthermore, the current and future research prospects of the productions and patents on the bionic water strider robot are discussed.
Conclusion
The optimization and development of the structure of the bionic water strider robot and the development of associated components help to improve the simulation of the water strider's motion and perform a better task in a complex water surface environment. In the future, with the improvement in the research, the bionic water strider robot will develop into miniaturization, intelligence, and integration.
The aim of the present research is to assess the implementation level linked to the CE in Europe. This study elaborates an ample overview of the literature linked to most debates topics of the circular economy (CE) and describes a state of the art of phenomenon, highlighting the most widespread cross-sectoral theoretical approaches (CE key concepts) and some strategic measurement elements for the evaluation of the transition from the Linear Economy to the CE. Moreover, the paper focused on a performance evaluation through a quantitative analysis based on strategic measurement elements that permitted the investigation in detail of the sources of the effectiveness of the CE policies among the 28 EU Member States. The comparison in terms of performance could be considered strategic for designing the achievement of EU targets in terms of CE effectiveness. In fact, showing different countries' profiles the study allows defining an international scenario of the transition towards the CE at the international level.KeywordsCircular economyPerformance evaluationEuropeEnvironmental sustainabilityWaste management
This book includes both theoretical conceptualization and practical applications in the fields of product design, architecture, engineering, and materials. The book aimed to inspire scholars and professionals to look at nature as a source of inspiration for developing new project solutions. Moreover, being one of the literature’s first direct associations of bionics with sustainability, the book can be used as a reference for those who seek to know more about the theory of bioinspired applications, as well as new technologies, methods, materials, and processes.
Eggs are nature's successful evolutionary design tricks, well designed to deliver multi-task biofunctional strategies for life's challenges. They appear in the vital scenario in the form of original and surprising bio-tech design solutions affected by the genetic and environmental constraints they are called to interact with. For these basic survival needs, the eggs must work very well: capturing the sperm of the male for a correct optimization of the fertilization processes, protection from physical and mechanical trauma, climatic mediation, and fine aeration of the internal larvae. These surprising embryo packagings are a sort of lifeboat laid down and often left alone by females in front of the intricate, complex, and highly wild food interweaving the planet's ecosystems. We found eggs in the reproductive cycles of many living species: fish, cephalopods, birds, and above all, individual insects. Butterfly eggs constitute a class of exciting and still little studied solutions, considered for possible bionic and biomimetic inspirations. Many Lepidoptera eggs generally have an external textured shell, the chorion, made up of waxed surface keratin, which maintains the correct humidity of the egg throughout the growth cycle. Keratin is a fibrous protein rich in sulfur amino acids, cysteine, and self-assemble into fiber bundles. It has the characteristic of a very tenacious mineralized fabric and is remarkably impermeable to water and atmospheric gases. Each egg is glued by the mother's butterfly to the support of branches or leaves of the nourishing plants by a gluey substance of chemical still largely unknown constitution, so adhesive that it is impossible to detach the eggs if not breaking them. In some butterfly species, like the Maniola and Lycaenidae family, the shell's structure has a spatial organization in the form of complex geodesic ribbed micro domes that resemble Buckminster Fuller's geodesic structures. Another exciting aspect of butterfly's eggs design concerns the micropyle and aeropyles layers system, which ensure the proper introduction of the male sperm, air, and oxygen needed to larva's growth. This study, conducted by the BionikonLab&FABNAT14 laboratory of Iglesias-SU Italy, considers the structural, morphological, and geometric aspects of some types of butterfly eggs that await internal ventilation. The purpose is to define a list of essential design problem-solving concepts that apply to creating food packaging, considering the crucial aspects of preserving freshness and commercial and nutritional qualities, reducing food waste, and the additional use of chemicals, antioxidants, and plastics packs.
An adaptive shading device is designed using biomimetics as a tool to optimize thermal comfort and help reduce energy consumption. Inspired by nyctinastic movements, ArtBuild’s Lab (AB Lab)—a transdisciplinary research laboratory created within ArtBuild’s architectural studio—began developing autonomous biomimetic façades in 2015 with the aim of reducing energy consumption in buildings and in particular, mass timber buildings, whose thermal inertia is low. The research project initially mimicked the mechanics and behaviour of stomata cells found abundantly in the plant species, drawing inspiration from the asymmetrical cell wall thickness to activate movement, and then moved on to developing prototypes for solar protection devices whose thermal actuation, shape memory, and geometry combine to enable them to echo the nastic movements described by Darwin. AB Lab’s team employs thermobimetals (TBMs)—composite metal alloys that react to temperature variations—to induce nastic movements in their shading devices. By exploiting the differential expansion coefficients of these alloys, the architects were able to shape the solar protection devices to cast measured shadows. Dubbed Pho’liage, the devices react to heat emanating from the sun. When outside temperatures exceed 25 °C, the TBM blades mimic the petals of a plant, opening as “flowers” to form a vast curtain protecting the building from thermal overload. When the temperature drops, the petals deform once again and the flowers close, allowing light to enter the building. Early versions of the Pho'liage prototypes revealed several challenges: the temperature-driven deformation of the bimetal, far from being uniform, often took place too abruptly given the dual conflicting expansion forces of the bimetal alloy surfaces. The very nature of the curvature dynamics was repeatedly reviewed. Lifecycle analysis of protective coatings showed the difficulties in sourcing ecological solutions for the alloys' external longevity. Apart from the basic geometry of the flowers, several designs were explored which integrate curve-line folding and adaptable honeycomb support structures, to enhance the efficiency of the open/close shading ratio. Finally, alternatives were suggested that look at reducing the quantity of TBMs, with the alloys acting as actuators whilst other materials such as specific biopolymers provide the shading function.
The remarkable growth of urban areas is a scenario faced by many cities due to the high rate of population that migrates to these zones, increasing the heat stored in the built environment creating insurmountable microclimatic conditions within the metropolitan area for pedestrians. Such microclimatic conditions might cause the unfeasibility of using natural ventilation for indoor passive cooling, increasing the air conditioners usage, and by overlapping to the previous heat stored the risk of overheating rises. Tropical regions have presented increased floods, extreme winds, earthquakes, and tropical-heat waves. To address such climate related challenges, a review on bio-inspired designs strategies at city scale, although not widely implemented in situ, is presented. On the other hand, developing countries in tropical regions recently started to develop energy regulations for the built environment, making it difficult to visualize a short-term implementation of any bio-inspired design at the city scale. As a result, most studies remain in a preliminary research project status. The evaluation and comparison of the sustainability of various tropical region cities through the Green City Index is presented. This evaluation led to assess in detail a Case study in Panama City considering the three critical aspects in the built environment: the conditioning of indoor spaces for cooling, transport, and lighting. Based on ecosystem services, a set of indicators are proposed and evaluated to measure regeneration at the city scale. Finally, to evaluate the proposed solutions, a SWOT analysis is presented. The use of a regenerative methodology in cities would mean a greater consideration of nature in planning goals and an improvement in urban ecosystem relations.
The abdomen of a honeybee is a blueprint for bio-inspired mechanical design because of its movement flexibility and compactness. However, the abdominal muscles closely related to the movement flexibility mechanism have not been fully identified, limiting the potential biological advantage of their use in bionic mechanism design. In this study, we reveal the muscle distribution of the complete muscular driving unit in a honeybee abdomen using stereoscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the muscle distribution was effectively verified using X-ray tomography. A novel equivalent unit mechanism (EUM) was then proposed and the kinematic analysis indicated that the extension ratio, bending angle, and swing angle of the EUM reached 9.36%, 1.22°, and 4.43°, respectively. The deformation ability of the EUM was consistent with the movement of the abdomen, confirming the movement flexibility. This work may provide a new perspective for distributed bionic mechanism design.
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Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) so far has been used almost exclusively in combination with mechanical translation stages reaching impressive throughputs for very specific configurations. As an alternative, DLIP modules can be combined with laser scanners, however presenting some limitations in comparison with standard static optical setups due to the limited possible spatial separation between the interfering beams. Herein, the fabrication of periodic microstructures on stainless steel using a galvanometer‐scanner DLIP approach is addressed. Line‐like patterns with spatial periods ranging from 2.9 to 12.8 μm are produced using a nanosecond pulsed laser source operating at a wavelength of 527 nm. The scan fields generated are evaluated with respect to the structure quality and scan field size, with dependence on the spatial period. Furthermore, the correlation between the spatial period, laser fluence, total number of pulses, and resulting structure depth of the line‐like patterns is discussed. In addition, the optimization of process parameters leads to surface patterns with aspect ratios greater than 1. The achievable structuring speeds are determined under consideration of the used number of pulses. Finally, throughputs up to 7.69 cm² min⁻¹ with less than 0.5 W laser power at a repetition rate of 3.5 kHz are realized.
Existing studies suggested that laser processing technology can enhance the hardness of units by laser melting process and solidifying process of medium and high-carbon steel, thereby significantly enhancing its wear resistance. In such a way, however, the low hardenability steel can exhibit limited fatigue wear resistance. To enhance the wear resistance, five different hardness units were fabricated in this study using laser melting, laser carburizing, and laser cladding. As the results suggested, the harder the unit is processed, the better the wear resistance will be. However, the cladding layer that contained WC particles exhibited the highest hardness, whereas in the wearing process, the particles fell off, so the wear resistance was reduced. The sample with the second hardest unit (Msic) exhibited the optimal anti-rolling fatigue wear resistance. Furthermore, this laser treatment process can to some extent substitute for the conventional carburizing heat treatment process.
Aluminum-based materials are widely used, but they are easily corroded and contaminated in some harsh conditions. Now, fabricating anti-wetting coatings on aluminum-base materials is a promising way to solve the above problems. In this work, a two-step method is developed to fabricate a hierarchical leaf-like superamphiphobic PTFE/CuO coating on 6061Al substrate, and it is simple, economical and environmentally friendly. The resultant coating is repellent to many liquids, such as tap water, ink, tea water, milk, H2SO4 solution (pH 3), NaOH solution (pH 10), ethylene glycol and glycerol. All contact angles of these liquids on the PTFE/CuO coating are more than 150°, and water sliding angles are less than 10°. Importantly, the results of the self-cleaning, adhesion, chemical stability and corrosion resistance tests indicate that the PTFE/CuO coating could protect the 6061Al substrate from corrosion and pollution. Furthermore, after the UV, thermal stability and mechanical stability tests, the PTFE/CuO samples are still be superhydrophobic, which suggests that 6061Al substrate with the PTFE/CuO coating could be applied in harsh conditions. In sum, the method is especially suitable to large-scale industry production and promising for corrosion protection and functional applications of aluminum-based materials.
The Twelfth International Conference on eHealth, Telemedicine, and Social Medicine (eTELEMED 2020) considered advances in techniques, services, and applications dedicated to a global approach of eHealth.
40Cr steel is one of the most common materials for manufacturing brake camshaft of trailer. The brake camshaft is subjected to extreme wear during its service life. In order to enhance wear resistance, medium frequency induction hardening (MFIH) treatment is usually conducted on the surface of brake camshaft. However, conventional MFIH technique requires heating of the entire surface, which has the drawbacks of more power consumption, high production cost and easy deformation. Therefore, inspired by the bionic theory, a process named as “laser bionic semisolid treatment” method accompanied by favorable surface roughness and minimum distortion has been proposed herein as an alternative to MFIH method. By this means, bionic units with different surface roughness, sizes microstructure and hardness were manufactured on the surface of 40Cr steel. Then, the wear resistance of 40Cr steel with various laser energy densities was experimentally investigated. The results demonstrated that when the laser energy density was J/mm2, the bionic semisolid unit was obtained with the arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra of 1046.81 nm. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the wear resistance of 40Cr steel due to the microstructure and higher hardness compared with the untreated sample, and its weight loss ratio was decreased by 71.90%. The mechanism of wear resistance enhancement was also discussed.
The use of ergonomic principles is imperative for the design of each contemporary product and its success on the market. Despite the common association of ergonomics with comfort, especially with products related to sitting, this master thesis has its focus on products with adjustable sizes, setting a main goal to make this product durable and adaptable to various physical differences between the users (children at different ages). In this thesis, the use of bionic methods and principles provide innovative insight and solution to the main issue at hand, adapting the seat to different sizes with application of layers of material. In shaping the layers of material, a fractal design is used, an algorithm method that creates a mathematical dependence in solving the specific problem of different sizes. In this case it solves the correlation between the sizes of layers of the material. The results of these interdisciplinary researches are implemented and evaluated through a design of a child bike seat, by which they are turned into an ecological, recyclable and modern product.
Evidence from a range of fields shows that representation-connection (RC) is the key step towards the solution of a real-world insight problem. However, no study has focused on the inter-individual variability in RC, and little is known about whether structural and resting-state functional signals can account for inter-individual differences in RC. Combining structural (regional grey matter density, rGMD) and functional (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC)) analysis approaches was used to examine the neural substrates of RC. The results showed that the RC score was positively correlated with rGMD and fALFF values in the bilateral lingual gyrus (LG), which might be related to relevant visual imagery during the correct matching of a specific prototype with an unsolved technical problem and the retrieval and application of key information from prototypes. In addition, the RC score was negatively correlated with the rGMD in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and functional connectivity analysis revealed that a higher RC score was inversely correlated with the strength of the RSFC between the right LG and the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), which indicated that RC might be supported by decreased response inhibition and the automatic association of semantics.
The development of techniques to fabricate superhydrophobic aluminum surfaces is rapidly maturing, yet the problems of high loss of material and complex preparation still persist. To address this, a simple method that combines droplet etching and chemical modification was used to fabricate a superhydrophobic aluminum surface, with a contact angle of 156° and a sliding angle of 5°. Compared with the traditional immersion method, droplet etching can properly preserve the integrity of the aluminum material and also provide a rough structure on the aluminum surface. The optimal superhydrophobicity of the aluminum surface was obtained by one-step immersion in pentadecafluorooctanoic acid aqueous solution at 80 ℃. Thermostability, anticorrosion, self-cleaning, and antifouling tests were subsequently performed. The results demonstrated that the superhydrophobic aluminum surface was easily prepared and possessed thermostability, anticorrosion, self-cleaning and antifouling abilities.
In the artwork, the topic of flowing human figures has been discussed. People pass through familiar places day by day, in which they create connection among them and the city. The impressions, memories and experiences turn the definition of the space in the city into place, and it is meaningful and creates a virtual layer upon the physical world. The artwork tried to arouse people to aware the connection among them and the environment by revealing the invisible traces. The interactive installation was set in outdoor exhibition, and a camera was set align the road and a projector was used for performing image on the wall of the nearby building. Object detection technology has been used in the interactive installation for capturing movements of people. GMM modeling was adopted for capturing frames with vivid face features, and the parameters was set for generating afterimage effect. The projected picture on the wall combined with 25 frames in different update time setting for performing a delayed vision, and only one region in the center of the image played the current frame in real-time, for arousing audience to notice the connection between their movements and the projected picture. In addition, some of them were reversed in horizontal direction for creating a dynamic Chinese brush painting with aesthetic composition. The remaining figures on the wall as mark or print remind people their traces in the city, and that creates the connection among the city and people who has been to the place at the same time. In the interactive installation, the improvisational painting of body calligraphy was exhibited in a collaborative way, in which revealed the face features or human shapes of the crowd in physical point, and also the collaborative experiences or memories in mental aspect.
Conceptual designs from nature can effectively solve complex design problems confronting mankind. Inspiration from nature helps us to generate creative and novel solutions, with numerous references and even naturally existing systems and sustainable solutions on various scales. In this research, an analogical reasoning engine for a design support system is suggested to increase the probability of success of biomimicry.
Since the emergence of nanotechnology, the utilization of nanocarriers in drug delivery systems has been the main concern of researchers and pharmaceutical developers. One of the most interesting drug delivery systems is the implantable delivery system. Implants are introduced into the body for a number of reasons; many implants are prosthetics, intended to replace missing body parts, while other implants are used to monitor bodily functions, provide an anchor for organs and tissues and, most importantly, deliver drugs. Here, we focus on the use of medical implants as drug delivery systems and as prosthetics. Implantable drug delivery systems are highly beneficial for patients who suffer from metabolic disorder, chronic pain, and malignant tumors. As they provide localized medication delivery, accurate dose, and ideal drug release rate that can be easily controlled, implants greatly enhance the patients' quality of life. The use of nanoparticles in implantable delivery systems and prosthetics has improved their action and prevented a number of problems, including dislocation of the implant or infections around the site of the prosthetic. Nanoparticles are ideal for engineering prosthetics and implants because they function at the same level of the body cells. In this chapter, we focus on the impact of nanotechnology on medical bionic devices. We discuss the engineering and manufacture of prosthetics, their uses and applications, and recent advances in this field.
Energetic requirements of under-water swimming in pygoscelid penguins were studied in Antarctica, using respirometry together with a 21 m long swim canal and externally attached devices recording the swimming speed and dive duration of unrestrained animals. Field measurements were compared with measurements of the hydrodynamic properties of an Adelie penguin model in a circulating water tank. Minimium transport costs during underwater swimming in Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae), chinstrap (P. antarctica) and gentoo (P. papua) penguins averaged 4.9, 3.7 and 7.6 J kg-1 m-1, respectively, at their preferred swimming speeds of 2.2, 2.4 and 1.8 m s-1, allowing the birds to dive aerobically for 110, 130 and 93 s, respectively. From the swim canal measurements, we calculated a drag coefficient (CD) of 0.0368 for a typical Adelie penguin at 2.2 m s-1. This value is significantly lower than the CD of 0.04 of an ideal spindle and the CD of 0.0496 measured on the model in the laboratory. The reasons for this difference are discussed.
The enhanced aerodynamic performance of insects results from an interaction of three distinct yet interactive mechanisms:
delayed stall, rotational circulation, and wake capture. Delayed stall functions during the translational portions of the
stroke, when the wings sweep through the air with a large angle of attack. In contrast, rotational circulation and wake capture
generate aerodynamic forces during stroke reversals, when the wings rapidly rotate and change direction. In addition to contributing
to the lift required to keep an insect aloft, these two rotational mechanisms provide a potent means by which the animal can
modulate the direction and magnitude of flight forces during steering maneuvers. A comprehensive theory incorporating both
translational and rotational mechanisms may explain the diverse patterns of wing motion displayed by different species of
insects.
The flight muscles of flies are separated into two physiologically, anatomically, and functionally distinct classes: power muscles and control muscles. The large indirect power muscles sustain the high level of mechanical energy required to flap the wings up and down during flight. The contractions in the asynchronous power muscles are initiated by stretch, and their slow presynaptic motor drive serves only to maintain a tonic level of cytosolic calcium. Although providing the mechanical energy for flight, the power muscles are not directly attached to the wings. Instead, their mechanical energy is transmitted to the base of the wings through the complex linkage system of the wing hinge. In contrast, the small control muscles insert directly onto the skeletal elements at the base of the wing. Through their mechanical effects on the hinge, the control muscles act collectively as a transmission system that determines how the mechanical energy produced by the power muscles is transformed into wing motion. The control muscles are activated by motor spikes in the conventional one-for-one fashion. Thus, although the control muscles can generate little mechanical power, they provide the means by which the nervous system can rapidly alter wing kinematics during sophisticated aerial maneuvers.
Nature and humans build their devices with the same earthly materials and use them in the same air and water, pulled by the same gravity. Why, then, do their designs diverge so sharply? Humans, for instance, love right angles, while nature's angles are rarely right and usually rounded. Our technology goes around on wheels-and on rotating pulleys, gears, shafts, and cams-yet in nature only the tiny propellers of bacteria spin as true wheels. Our hinges turn because hard parts slide around each other, whereas nature's hinges (a rabbit's ear, for example) more often swing by bending flexible materials. In this marvelously surprising, witty book, Steven Vogel compares these two mechanical worlds, introduces the reader to his field of biomechanics, and explains how the nexus of physical law, size, and convenience of construction determine the designs of both people and nature. "This elegant comparison of human and biological technology will forever change the way you look at each."-Michael LaBarbera, American Scientist
INSECTS cannot fly, according to the conventional laws of aerodynamics: during flapping flight, their wings produce more lift than during steady motion at the same velocities and angles of attack1–5. Measured instantaneous lift forces also show qualitative and quantitative disagreement with the forces predicted by conventional aerodynamic theories6–9. The importance of high-life aerodynamic mechanisms is now widely recognized but, except for the specialized fling mechanism used by some insect species1,10–13, the source of extra lift remains unknown. We have now visualized the airflow around the wings of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta and a 'hovering' large mechanical model—the flapper. An intense leading-edge vortex was found on the down-stroke, of sufficient strength to explain the high-lift forces. The vortex is created by dynamic stall, and not by the rotational lift mechanisms that have been postulated for insect flight14–16. The vortex spirals out towards the wingtip with a spanwise velocity comparable to the flapping velocity. The three-dimensional flow is similar to the conical leading-edge vortex found on delta wings, with the spanwise flow stabilizing the vortex.
In flight the wings of the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala are driven by the indirect dorso-longitudinal (downstroke) and dorso-ventral muscles (upstroke). There are two turning points on the ventral wing joint, the anterior and posterior. The former consists of the pleural klppel and its fit on the ventral anterior wing base. The connecting point between the anterior ventral peak of pterale II (wing base sclerite) and the underside of the dorsal end of the pleural wing joint forms the latter. A longitudinal axis going through the anterior and posterior turning point forms the turning axis for the wing-beat movements.The pleural wing joint ends in a heart-shaped structure with three peaks. A groove in the tooth of the ventral radial vein, which is part of the ventral wing base, connects with one of these peaks, where it remains for several downstroke cycles. Cross sections through the stem of the pleural wing joint show a V-shaped configuration. The pull of the first subunit of the pleuro-tergal muscle bends this stem outward like a torsion rod. Inward movement is effected by its own elasticity and the pull of the subalar tendon. Outward movement enables the groove of the tooth of the ventral radial vein to contact one of the peaks if the wing base and the tooth are turned anteriorly by the combined pull of basalar muscles 1 and 2 onto the anterior wing edge. The wing is turned backward by the pull of the pterale III muscle 1 onto the posterior wing edge.This contact can be used in two ways:1.
If the wing-base elements of one wing meet, the joint will click upward and the groove of the tooth loses its contact with a peak. Thus the downstroke amplitude of this wing will increase and the fly will turn contralaterally from this side where the wing-base elements meet. This movement works like a gear, extending the wing-drive-independent downstroke power unilaterally.
2.
The joint does not click upward and the groove of the tooth remains in contact with a peak. The downstroke amplitude on this side now decreases and the fly turns ipsilaterally to this side. This would be a wing-beat stop (cf. Miyan and Ewing 1985a, b), which diminishes the wing-drive-independent downstroke power unilaterally. Besides an increase and decrease of flight power, the geometrical angles of attack may also have been altered (Pfau 1985). The upstroke occurs normally, passing over the anterior and posterior turning point — forming a turning axis — during flight regardless of whether contact (1) or (2) is used.
In flies, both right- and left-wing driving systems are coupled morphologically by the scutellum. Even while the stroke movements of the wings are synchronous, the direct muscles on one side of the thorax work independently of those on the other side, i.e., their function is wing-drive-independent.
The microrelief of plant surfaces, mainly caused by epicuticular wax crystalloids, serves different purposes and often causes
effective water repellency. Furthermore, the adhesion of contaminating particles is reduced. Based on experimental data carried
out on microscopically smooth (Fagus sylvatica L., Gnetum gnemon L., Heliconia densiflora Verlot, Magnolia grandiflora L.) and rough water-repellent plants (Brassica oleracea L., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott., Mutisia decurrens Cav., Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), it is shown here for the first time that the interdependence between surface roughness, reduced particle adhesion
and water repellency is the keystone in the self-cleaning mechanism of many biological surfaces. The plants were artificially
contaminated with various particles and subsequently subjected to artificial rinsing by sprinkler or fog generator. In the
case of water-repellent leaves, the particles were removed completely by water droplets that rolled off the surfaces independent
of their chemical nature or size. The leaves of N. nucifera afford an impressive demonstration of this effect, which is, therefore, called the “Lotus-Effect” and which may be of great
biological and technological importance.
Previous research has established that surfaces with tiny ribs (riblets) aligned in the streamwise direction can reduce the turbulent wall-shear stress below that of a smooth surface. Typical skin-friction reductions have been found to be about 5%. The results of the present investigation, however, demonstrate a considerable improvement over this value. This improvement is achieved by a systematic experimental optimization which has been guided by theoretical concepts.
A key feature of our experiments is the utilization of an oil channel. Previous experiments in wind tunnels had to contend with very small riblet dimensions which typically had a lateral rib spacing of about 0.5 mm or less. By contrast, in our oil channel, the ribs can have a lateral spacing of between about 2 and 10 mm. This increased size of the surface structures enables test surfaces to be manufactured with conventional mechanical methods, and it also enables us to build test surfaces with adjustable geometry. In addition, the Berlin oil channel has a novel shear stress balance with an unprecedented accuracy of ±0.3%. This latter feature is a prerequisite for a systematic experimental optimization.
In the present investigation, surfaces with longitudinal ribs and additional slits are studied. The experiments cover a fairly large range of parameters so that the drag reduction potential of a surface with ribs and/or slits is worked out conclusively. A large parameter range is made possible because of the adjustability of the surfaces as well as the automatic operation of the oil channel. In particular, the following tests were run:
(i) Shear stress measurements with conventional riblet configurations, i.e. with triangular and semi-circular grooves, have been carried out. These measurements were necessary in order to establish the connection between our oil channel data and previous data from wind tunnels. As was previously established, we found a drag reduction of about 5%.
(ii) An adjustable surface with longitudinal blade ribs and with slits was built and tested. Both groove depth and slit width could be varied separately and continuously during the experiment. It turned out, that slits in the surface did not contribute to the drag reduction. Nevertheless, these investigations show how perforated surfaces (e.g. for boundary-layer control) can be designed for minimal parasitic drag. On the other hand, with closed slits, an optimal groove depth for the rib surface could be determined, i.e. half of the lateral rib spacing. For this configuration, we found an 8.7% skin-friction reduction. By carefully eliminating deleterious effects (caused by little gaps, etc.), the skin-friction reduction could be improved to a record value of 9.9%.
(iii) A quantitative comparison between theory and experiment was carried out. The theory is based on the assumption that riblets impede the fluctuating turbulent crossflow near the wall. In this way, momentum transfer and shear stress are reduced. The simplified theoretical model proposed by Luchini (1992) is supported by the present experiments.
(iv) For technological applications of riblets, e.g. on long-range commercial aircraft, the above thin-blade ribs are not practical. Therefore, we have devised a surface that combines a significantly improved performance (8.2 %) with a geometry which exhibits better durability and enables previously developed manufacturing methods for plastic riblet film production to be used. Our riblet geometry exhibits trapezoidal grooves with wedge-like ribs. The flat floor of the trapezoidal grooves permits an undistorted visibility through the transparent riblet film which is essential for crack inspection on aircraft.
The insect cuticle is an extracellular structure covering the total outer surface of the animal and providing protection against harmful influences from the environment. The mechanical properties of cuticles may vary considerably, and pronounced regional differences are generally observed. The properties may also change during development, and it can be assumed that the physical and chemical properties of all cuticular regions tend to be close to the optimal for proper physiological function during all developmental stages. Cuticular regions can be stabilized by the process of sclerotization, whereby o-diphenols are oxidatively incorporated into the material. Our current knowledge of the sclerotization process is reviewed, and it is suggested that the main features of the chemistry of sclerotization probably have been established, and that the major questions now remaining concern the precise regional and temporal control of the process.
ORGANISMS with a body mass of more than one gram and which live at the air-water interface generally support their weight with their buoyant bodies. The maximum swimming speed these animals can attain is limited by wave-making resistance(1-3). For high-speed progression across a body of water, shore birds and basilisk lizards (Basiliscus basiliscus) support their bodies above the water surface by repeatedly striking the surface with their feet. Here we investigate the mechanism of support in moderately sized basilisk lizards (about 90 g) by combining hydrodynamic measurements of a physical model of the lizards' feet with an analysis of video records of foot movements. We find basilisks of intermediate size obtain little support for their body weight by slapping the water surface; most of the support comes from stroking the foot downwards while expanding an air cavity underwater. The lizard minimizes downward forces by pulling its foot upward before the cavity collapses.
Studies are beginning to show that spider silk can be highly variable in chemical composition and mechanical properties. Clearly, both external and internal conditions affect silk production and thus the mechanical properties of the finished thread. An argument can be made that silk is optimised for a wide range of conditions rather than maximised for strength or toughness. Moreover, it seems that the spider is able to induce rapid and temporary adaptations of silk properties.
- B Culik
- R Wilson
- R Bannasch
Culik, B., Wilson, R. & Bannasch, R. (1994) J. Exp. Biol. 197, 65–79.
- F Vollrath
Vollrath, F. (1999) Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 24, 81–88.
- J Glasheen
- T Mcmahon
Glasheen, J. & McMahon, T. (1996) Nature (London) 380, 340–342.
- S Anderson
- M Peter
- P Roepstorff
Anderson, S., Peter, M. & Roepstorff, P. (1966) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B 113, 689–705.
- Culik