Locomotion and adhesion in geckos: The link between ecology, form, and function

壁虎的运动和粘附：生态、形态和功能之间的联系

• 批准号: 1147043
• 负责人: Timothy Higham
• 金额: $ 42万
• 依托单位: University of California-Riverside
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-01 至 2018-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1147043&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Locomotion; adhesion; geckos; link; between

Animals constantly face challenges in their environment, which in part lead to dynamic and complex patterns of locomotion as well as innovations that allow animals to move more effectively in their natural habitat. One notable and extremely interesting innovation is the complex adhesive system of many geckos. Geckos are remarkable in their ability to climb vertically and sometimes in an upside-down posture. This biological adhesive system has inspired the development of gecko-like robots, adhesives, and even gloves. Although the microstructure and dynamics of the adhesive system have recently been examined, little is known about how and when this system is used and what impact it has on the mechanics and neuromuscular control of locomotion. In addition, little is known about how geckos move in their natural habitat and how the diversity in toe morphology (bearing the adhesive system) relates to ecology and biomechanics. This project is focused on illuminating the functional consequences of morphological and ecological disparity in geckos, and, more generally, will assess the evolution of function across disparate groups of geckos. The researchers will integrate approaches and knowledge from biomechanics, ecology, comparative methods, and physiology to examine locomotion in geckos. Both fieldwork in Africa and laboratory experiments involving sophisticated techniques and equipment such as force plates, electromyography, high-speed video cameras, and micro imaging will be employed. In addition to propelling the understanding of gecko locomotion, utilizing an integrative approach that incorporates field and lab studies will greatly enhance the training of young scientists, including a postdoctoral researcher, graduate students in the United States and Africa, and undergraduates. Trainees will have opportunities to learn sophisticated laboratory techniques, as well as gain valuable field experience. The students and postdoctoral fellow will present their work at international scientific meetings and publish their work in tier one journals. They will ultimately gain the independence, experience, and skills necessary for a successful academic career. The scientific impacts of this work will be wide-ranging and interdisciplinary. For example, it is likely that species occupying habitats with drastically different surface textures will also exhibit differences in macro and micro-morphology. By knowing what morphology best suits a given surface texture, engineering groups could design surface-specific adhesives that mimic the gecko adhesive system. In addition, understanding the neuromuscular control and mechanics during locomotion in an animal with an adhesive system will also provide insight into the control that is necessary for gecko-inspired robots.

动物在其环境中不断面临挑战，这在一定程度上导致了动态和复杂的运动模式，以及允许动物在自然栖息地更有效地移动的创新。一项值得注意和非常有趣的创新是许多壁虎的复杂粘合系统。壁虎的垂直攀爬能力非常出色，有时还会以倒立的姿势攀爬。这种生物粘合系统启发了类似壁虎的机器人、粘合剂，甚至手套的发展。尽管最近对粘连系统的微观结构和动力学进行了研究，但人们对该系统的使用方式和时间以及它对运动的力学和神经肌肉控制有何影响知之甚少。此外，关于壁虎如何在它们的自然栖息地活动，以及脚趾形态的多样性(带有粘连系统)与生态学和生物力学之间的关系，人们知之甚少。这个项目的重点是阐明壁虎形态和生态差异的功能后果，更广泛地说，将评估不同壁虎群体的功能演变。研究人员将结合生物力学、生态学、比较法和生理学的方法和知识来研究壁虎的运动。将使用非洲的实地工作和实验室实验，涉及复杂的技术和设备，如测力板、肌电图仪、高速摄像机和显微成像。除了促进对壁虎运动的理解外，利用结合实地和实验室研究的综合方法将极大地加强对年轻科学家的培训，包括博士后研究人员、美国和非洲的研究生以及本科生。学员将有机会学习先进的实验室技术，并获得宝贵的现场经验。学生和博士后将在国际科学会议上发表他们的研究成果，并在一级期刊上发表他们的研究成果。他们最终将获得成功的学术生涯所需的独立性、经验和技能。这项工作的科学影响将是广泛的和跨学科的。例如，具有截然不同表面纹理的栖息地的物种很可能也会在宏观和微观形态上表现出差异。通过了解哪种形态最适合给定的表面纹理，工程团队可以设计出模仿壁虎粘合剂系统的特定于表面的粘合剂。此外，了解具有粘连系统的动物在运动过程中的神经肌肉控制和力学也将有助于洞察壁虎启发的机器人所需的控制。