MMEAW: Modelling the MEchanics of Animal Whiskers

MMEAW：动物胡须力学建模

基本信息

批准号：
EP/P030203/1
负责人：
Victor Goss
金额：
$ 58.7万
依托单位：
London South Bank University
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2017
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2017 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FP030203%2F1
关键词：
MMEAW Modelling MEchanics Animal Whiskers

项目摘要

MMEAW is a multidisciplinary project, lying at the interface between structural engineering, robotics and comparative animal physiology. It aims to extend our understanding and knowledge of how whiskers are adapted to their function and apply that understanding to applications in engineering. MMEAW builds on previous research in this field, for example the EPSRC funded Whiskerbot project (EPSRC ref: GR/S19639/01). The aims of MMEAW are as follows:1) Understanding how animals exploit a range of whisker morphological parameters such as taper, curvature, twist, stiffness, anisotropy and weight, to their advantage.2) Determining critical values of taper, twist, curvature and relationships between them e.g., ratio of weight to length (curliness), which lead to qualitative change in vibrissae mechanics. Thereby identify criteria for optimal performance.3) Establishing a rational scheme for classifying vibrissae.MMEAW involves two key activities. First, by taking measurements of the shape and form of animal whiskers, it will build a data base of detailed information on whisker morphologies. Working with museums, we shall gather data on a range of species - from small rodents, to large mammals and to birds. The information we are interested in includes details of the length, curvature, taper, weight, tortuosity (i.e., out of plane curvature), and cross sectional properties, such as shape, diameter and stiffness. We also want to know details of how and where each whisker connects to the animal's face, including the angle and orientation of the whisker. All that information will be stored in a data base. Since no such data base exists anywhere, it will be made available to museums internationally, where it can be aggrandized. The process of gathering data on vibrissae will last one year.The second major activity involves the formulation of mathematical models, using the data gathered on vibrissae shape and form, and applying mechanics principles to analyse what happens to a whisker when its tip is disturbed e.g., when it brushes against different surfaces, is pressed in by a force, passes through a liquid (otters and seals) and undergoes the 'whisking motions' observed in some species (rats). MMEAW will use advanced modelling methods, based on the Cosserat Theory of rods, i.e., a rigorous mathematical theory of long slender structures. That approach will enable MMEAW to model the effects of different curvatures, tapers, tortuosity etc., within a unified and rational scheme, one that provides detailed information on the loads transmitted from the tip of the whisker to the base. The modelling and analysis will be complemented by field work (observations of animals) carried out by a member of the team with extensive specialist experience. Indeed, MMEAW involves the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team with strong track records in elastic rod theory, engineering and animal comparative physiology.By formulating a well posed mathematical problem, MMEAW will be able to identify optimal conditions for vibrissae and extend the analysis to embrace extreme loadings and deflections, thereby offering a global perspective on how different vibrissae morphologies affect performance. That information can be used by robotics engineers and structural engineers to implement optimal designs for flexible robotic arms and antennae, indeed it carries across to any engineer developing technology that involves long slender flexible structures; whether a robot arm, a building structure (beam, column, strut), a cable buoy system, a space tether, or a medical stent.

MMEAW是一个多学科项目，位于结构工程，机器人技术和比较动物生理学之间的界面。它旨在扩展我们对晶须如何适应其功能的理解和了解，并将这些理解应用于工程应用程序。 MMEAW基于该领域的先前研究，例如EPSRC资助的Whiskerbot项目（EPSRC参考：GR/S19639/01）。 The aims of MMEAW are as follows:1) Understanding how animals exploit a range of whisker morphological parameters such as taper, curvature, twist, stiffness, anisotropy and weight, to their advantage.2) Determining critical values of taper, twist, curvature and relationships between them e.g., ratio of weight to length (curliness), which lead to qualitative change in vibrissae mechanics. 3）建立一个合理的方案来分类颤音。mmeaw涉及两个关键活动。首先，通过测量动物晶须的形状和形式，它将建立有关晶须形态的详细信息的数据库。我们将与博物馆合作，收集有关从小型啮齿动物到大型哺乳动物和鸟类的一系列物种的数据。我们感兴趣的信息包括长度，曲率，锥度，重量，曲折的详细信息（即，曲线曲率不超出平面曲率）和横截面特性，例如形状，直径和刚度。我们还想了解每个晶须如何以及何处连接到动物脸的细节，包括晶须的角度和方向。所有信息将存储在数据库中。由于在任何地方都没有这样的数据库，因此将在国际博物馆中可用，在该博物馆可以加重该博物馆。收集有关颤音数据的数据的过程将持续一年。第二个主要活动涉及数学模型的制定，使用收集的数据，使用颤音形状和形式和形式的数据，并应用机制原理来分析晶须的尖端被打扰时，例如，当它在不同的表面上被打扰时，将其刷在了液体中，并通过刷子（观察）（观察）（''ions of a Liques and obles of a Liques and obles（''）一些物种（大鼠）。 MMEAW将基于杆的Cosserat理论，即长长的细长结构的严格数学理论，使用先进的建模方法。该方法将使MMEAW在统一且合理的方案中对不同曲率，锥度，曲折度等的效果进行建模，该方案提供了有关从晶须尖端传递到基部的载荷的详细信息。具有丰富专业经验的团队成员进行的现场工作（对动物的观察）将补充建模和分析。 Indeed, MMEAW involves the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team with strong track records in elastic rod theory, engineering and animal comparative physiology.By formulating a well posed mathematical problem, MMEAW will be able to identify optimal conditions for vibrissae and extend the analysis to embrace extreme loadings and deflections, thereby offering a global perspective on how different vibrissae morphologies affect performance.机器人工程师和结构工程师可以使用该信息来实施适合灵活的机器人臂和天线的最佳设计，实际上，它涉及任何涉及长长的柔性结构的工程师；无论是机器人臂，建筑物结构（梁，柱子，支柱），电缆浮标系统，空间系绳还是医疗支架。