EAGER: Loss-Free Energy Storage and Transition Due to Nature's Miracle Protein - Resilin

EAGER：（探索性研究的早期概念补助金）-无损能量存储和转换由于大自然的奇迹蛋白质弹性蛋白机械系统具有可编程的弹性特性，允许无损传输或存储机械能是工程师的终极梦想。自然界提供了在昆虫表皮中发现的现成的模型系统。据推测，高弹性蛋白弹性蛋白-在特定的角质层的地方导致最佳的能量储存。中心假设是，不仅材料本身，而且弹性元件的定位导致几乎无损耗的能量传输。该项目的目的是利用先进的纳米力学测试方法探索高弹性角质层的静态和动态特性。在各种条件下对角质层内部的单个弹性元件的局部探测是原创的，并且将揭示用任何其他方法都无法获得的全新信息。了解节枝弹性蛋白的机械行为和在昆虫表皮中的最佳定位将导致新的橡胶状聚合物和具有非常低的能量损失的新型微机械弹簧系统的设计。预期的发现将导致新的质量的微和纳米机械系统，这将是上级的任何其他现有的解决方案，并有广泛的应用。能源效率的运动系统是高度关注的微型机器人在人类安全和健康的危险领域的操作使用的建设。毫无疑问，基于飞行器出色的飞行机动或蚱蜢高效的跳跃机制的工程系统将具有与根据莲花效应设计的表面类似的影响。

EAGER:(Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research)- Loss-Free Energy Storage and Transition Due to Nature's Miracle Protein ResilinMechanical systems with programmable elastic properties to permit loss-free transmission or storage of mechanical energy are the ultimate dream of engineers. Nature offers readily available model systems found in the cuticle of insects. It is assumed that the highly elastic protein resilin- in specific cuticle places leads to optimal energy storage. The central hypothesis is that not only the material itself but also the positioning of elastic elements result in a nearly loss-free energy transport. The objective of the proposed project is to explore the static and dynamic properties of highly elastic cuticle with advanced nanomechanical testing methods. The local probing of the individual elastic elements inside the cuticle under various conditions is original and will reveal fundamentally new information that is not accessible with any other method. Understanding the mechanical behavior of resilin and the optimal positioning in the insect cuticle will lead to the design of new rubberlike polymers and novel micromechanical spring-systems with extraordinary low energy loss. The expected findings will result in a new quality of micro and nanomechanical systems, which will be superior to any other existing solutions and have a wide range of applications. Energy efficient locomotor systems are of high interest in the construction of minuscule robots for operational use in areas dangerous for human safety and health. Engineering systems based on the example of the excellent flight maneuver of the dragonfly or the efficient jumping mechanism of grasshoppers will have, without any doubt, similar impact as surfaces designed after the LOTUS effect.