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Complexity biomechanics: a case study of dragonfly wing design from constituting composite material to higher structural levels

The Royal Society
Interface Focus
Authors:
Arman Toofani at University of Trento
Arman Toofani
Sepehr H. Eraghi at London South Bank University
Sepehr H. Eraghi
Ali Basti
Ali Basti
Ali Basti
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Hamed Rajabi at London South Bank University
Hamed Rajabi
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Abstract

Presenting a novel framework for sustainable and regenerative design and development is a fundamental future need. Here we argue that a new framework, referred to as complexity biomechanics, which can be used for holistic analysis and understanding of natural mechanical systems, is key to fulfilling this need. We also present a roadmap for the design and development of intelligent and complex engineering materials, mechanisms, structures, systems, and processes capable of automatic adaptation and self-organization in response to ever-changing environments. We apply complexity biomechanics to elucidate how the different structural components of a complex biological system as dragonfly wings, from ultrastructure of the cuticle, the constituting bio-composite material of the wing, to higher structural levels, collaboratively contribute to the functionality of the entire wing system. This framework not only proposes a paradigm shift in understanding and drawing inspiration from natural systems but also holds potential applications in various domains, including materials science and engineering, biomechanics, biomimetics, bionics, and engineering biology.
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Discussion
Cite this article: Toofani A, Eraghi SH, Basti
A, Rajabi H. 2024 Complexity biomechanics:
a case study of dragonfly wing design from
constituting composite material to
higher structural levels. Interface Focus 14:
20230060.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2023.0060
Received: 15 November 2023
Accepted: 25 January 2024
One contribution of 11 to a theme issue
‘Composite materials in biological systems:
Part I, Chitin-based biological composites’.
Subject Areas:
biomimetics, biocomplexity, biomechanics
Keywords:
complexity theory, biological composites,
cuticle, collective intelligence,
holistic biomimetics
Author for correspondence:
Hamed Rajabi
e-mail: harajabi@hotmail.com
†
These authors contributed equally to this
work.
Complexity biomechanics: a case study
of dragonfly wing design from
constituting composite material to
higher structural levels
Arman Toofani
1,3,†
, Sepehr H. Eraghi
1,2,†
, Ali Basti
3
and Hamed Rajabi
1,2
1
Mechanical Intelligence (MI) Research Group, South Bank Applied BioEngineering Research (SABER), School of
Engineering, and
2
Division of Mechanical Engineering and Design, School of Engineering, London South Bank
University, London, UK
3
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
AT, 0000-0003-1219-7480; SHE, 0000-0003-4919-0370; HR, 0000-0002-1792-3325
Presenting a novel framework for sustainable and regenerative design and
development is a fundamental future need. Here we argue that a new frame-
work, referred to as complexity biomechanics, which can be used for holistic
analysis and understanding of natural mechanical systems, is key to fulfilling
this need. We also present a roadmap for the design and development of intel-
ligent and complex engineering materials, mechanisms, structures, systems,
and processes capable of automatic adaptation and self-organization in
response to ever-changing environments. We apply complexity biomechanics
to elucidate how the different structural components of a complex biological
system as dragonfly wings, from ultrastructure of the cuticle, the constituting
bio-composite material of the wing, to higher structural levels, collaboratively
contribute to the functionality of the entire wing system. This framework not
only proposes a paradigm shift in understanding and drawing inspiration
from natural systems but also holds potential applications in various domains,
including materials science and engineering, biomechanics, biomimetics,
bionics, and engineering biology.
1. Introduction
Nature hosts a diverse array of creatures. Each resilient survivor in nature is a
potential source of data, which can be the raw material for our information,
knowledge, understanding and wisdom [1]. As we observe the natural world,
draw inspiration from it, and derive solutions in order to gain deeper insights
into our planet, address industrial challenges and confront global issues, the
first conspicuous feature is complexity [2]. According to the Cambridge diction-
ary, ‘complexity’is the state of having many parts and being difficult to understand or
find an answer to. This precisely characterizes what we encounter in numerous
natural systems across various scales and levels of organization.
To unravel the intricate nature of complex systems, scientists have increasingly
turned to a reductionist approach. This approach involves breaking down natural
systems into comprehensible physical components and phenomena. While the
reductionist approach has successfully answered numerous scientific questions,
it falls short in scenarios such as chaotic systems, insect swarms, bird flocks in
flight, insect combat behaviours, ant social networks, human brain neural net-
works and various other cases. In these instances, the reductionist approach
proves inefficient due to the inherent unpredictability, interdependencies, and
interconnectedness of the examples mentioned [3]. In these cases, complexity
theory is the key to explain how such systems work [4]. Complexity theory
helps us understand how the collective behaviours and properties of complex sys-
tems emerge from the interactions of seemingly independent elements. These
elements collaborate to form, grow, learn, adapt, and evolve the entire system
© 2024 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.
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