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.

Myodocopid介形类是小甲壳动物，从1到32毫米不等。它们的虾状身体从一侧到另一侧是扁平的，并由相对薄的两部分壳或“甲壳”保护，壳或“甲壳”由多糖甲壳素与蛋白质结合而成，通常与钙结合。甲壳的两个瓣由铰链连接，可以打开和关闭，同时保持其刚性。大多数的肌介类动物可以通过它们发达的复眼与其他介形类动物区分开来;有些占据了它们全身大小的三分之一。事实上，它们使用彩虹色或生物发光形式的视觉信号来求爱。其中一种是“Macrocypridina”（约8毫米长），甲壳颜色很深，除了一个圆形的透明窗口直接覆盖在眼睛上，动物可以通过它看到。这些窗口具有一些有趣的特性;它们非常薄但很坚硬，可以防止裂纹形成和传播，避免划痕，允许氧气通过它们，并且可以抵抗表面污染的积累。我们的建议是了解这些介形虫窗口特性的生物物理和结构基础，从而在更大范围内模仿这些结构，以开发适合人类的非常薄，硬的隐形眼镜。这些镜片将在军事应用中用作眼罩，但也将有利于治疗普通人群中与眼睛有关的问题。