Complex surface structure and locomotion

复杂的表面结构和运动

• 批准号: 0848894
• 负责人: David Hu
• 金额: $ 38.99万
• 依托单位: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-09-01 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0848894&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Complex; surface; structure; locomotion

In this project the PI will investigate, experimentally and theoretically, the role of complex biological integuments in animal locomotion. Two parallel research thrusts are planned: one investigation on the terrestrial limbless locomotion of snakes, and the other on the collective locomotion of semi-aquatic insects. A series of integrated experimental and theoretical investigations will be conducted on the propulsion of snakes on horizontal surfaces. Snakes exhibit four modes of locomotion, including lateral undulation, side winding, rectilinear progression and an accordion-like concertina motion. The goal of this research is to rationalize these limbless propulsion mechanisms. An existing theoretical framework will be adapted for investigation of the snake gaits. Particular attention will be given to assessing the snake's gains in efficiency and speed from dynamic lifting of its body during locomotion. Measurements of the snake's weight distribution during slithering will be obtained qualitatively using birefringent gelatin techniques and quantitatively using arrays of pressure transducers. An understanding of dynamic load-bearing mechanisms will shed insight onto the snake's energy budget and mechanisms for reducing abrasive wear. For the second part of the project, combined experimental and theoretical investigations will be made on the locomotion of insects that live above and below the water surface. An exploratory investigation will be conducted on the mechanisms by which fire ant colonies, whose individuals are hydrophilic and cannot swim, collectively form floating structures, ant balls that allow them to survive floods. Contact angles of the individuals and frozen ant balls will be measured and the dynamics of ants within the ball observed. A series of investigations of the locomotion of aquatic insects and gastropods will also be conducted, focusing on their wetting properties, propulsion using cilia and the body shapes which give them underwater stability near the free surface. The PI will develop an interdisciplinary undergraduate course in animal bio-locomotion in order to draw together students of biology and engineering and increase the visibility of integrative research. A bio-inspired walking-on-water theme will be planned for the school's annual design competition for mechanical engineering juniors. The PI will mentor two local high school students under the Intel Science Talent Search, in which he once participated.

在这个项目中，PI将从实验和理论上研究动物运动中复杂生物被膜的作用。两个平行的研究重点计划：一个调查的陆生无肢运动的蛇，和其他的集体运动的半水生昆虫。 本文将对蛇类在水平面上的推进进行一系列综合的实验和理论研究。蛇有四种运动模式，包括横向波动、侧绕、直线前进和手风琴式的手风琴运动。这项研究的目的是合理化这些无肢推进机制。现有的理论框架将适用于研究蛇的步态。特别注意将给予评估蛇的效率和速度的收益，从动态提升其身体在运动过程中。蛇的重量分布的测量在滑行过程中将获得定性使用双折射明胶技术和定量使用压力传感器阵列。对动态承载机制的理解将有助于深入了解蛇的能量预算和减少磨料磨损的机制。在项目的第二部分，将对生活在水面以上和水面以下的昆虫的运动进行实验和理论研究。 将对火蚁群的机制进行探索性调查，火蚁群的个体是亲水性的，不会游泳，它们集体形成漂浮结构，使它们能够在洪水中生存下来。将测量个体和冷冻蚂蚁球的接触角，并观察球内蚂蚁的动态。还将对水生昆虫和腹足类的运动进行一系列调查，重点是它们的润湿特性、利用纤毛的推进力和使它们在自由表面附近具有水下稳定性的体型。PI将开发动物生物运动的跨学科本科课程，以吸引生物学和工程学的学生，并提高综合研究的可见性。一个生物灵感的水上行走主题将计划为学校的年度设计比赛的机械工程大三学生。PI将在英特尔科学人才搜索下指导两名当地高中学生，他曾经参加过该项目。