The ostracod carapace window as a biomimetic basis for development of a novel eye shield.

介形类甲壳窗口作为开发新型眼罩的仿生基础。

• 批准号: BB/J019879/1
• 负责人: Keith Meek
• 金额: $ 14.28万
• 依托单位: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2012 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB%2FJ019879%2F1
• 关键词: ostracod; carapace; window; biomimetic; basis

Myodocopid ostracods are small crustaceans varying from 1 to 32 mm. Their shrimp-like bodies are flattened from side to side and protected by a relatively thin, two-part shell or "carapace" made from the polysaccharide chitin coupled with proteins, often with the incorporation of calcium. The two valves of the carapace are connected by a hinge, and can open and close while retaining their rigidity. Most myodocopids can be distinguished from other ostracods by their well-developed compound eyes; some occupying a third of their total body size. Indeed, they use visual signals in the form of iridescence or bioluminescence for courtship. In one group - "Macrocypridina" (about 8mm long) - the carapace is heavily pigmented except for a round, clear transparent window directly covering the eye, through which the animal can see. These windows have some interesting properties; they are very thin yet rigid, and prevent crack formation and propagation, avoid scratches, allow oxygen to pass through them, and appear resistant to the buildup of surface contamination. Our proposal is to understand the biophysical and structural basis of the properties of these ostracod windows, and consequently to mimic these structures on a larger scale to develop very thin, hard contact lenses suitable for humans. These lenses will act as eye shields in military applications but will also be beneficial for the treatment of eye-related problems in the general population.

肌磷脂的肌酸是小的甲壳类动物，从1到32毫米不等。它们的虾状体从一侧到另一侧扁平，并由相对较薄的两部分壳或由多糖几丁质和蛋白质制成的“甲壳”，通常与钙的结合。甲壳的两个阀通过铰链连接，可以在保持刚度的同时打开和关闭。大多数肌蛋白酶可以通过其发达的复合眼睛与其他Ostracods区分开。有些人占据其总体大小的三分之一。确实，他们将视觉信号以虹彩或生物发光的形式用于求爱。在一组中 - “麦克环囊虫”（长约8毫米） - 甲壳的色素沉重，除了直接覆盖着眼睛的圆形，透明的透明窗户，动物可以看到它。这些窗户具有一些有趣的属性；它们非常薄但刚性，并防止裂纹形成和繁殖，避免划痕，允许氧气通过它们，并具有抵抗力的表面污染。我们的建议是了解这些Ostracod窗口的性质的生物物理和结构基础，因此，以更大的规模模仿这些结构，以开发出适合人类的非常薄，硬的隐形眼镜。这些镜头将充当军事应用中的眼盾，但也将有助于治疗普通人群中与眼有关的问题。