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

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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.