Complex surface structure and locomotion

在这个项目中，PI将从实验和理论上研究复杂的生物装备在动物运动中的作用。计划进行两个平行的研究推进：一个是关于蛇的陆生无肢体运动的调查，另一个是关于半水栖昆虫的集体运动的调查。将对蛇在水平表面上的推进进行一系列综合的实验和理论研究。蛇表现出四种运动模式，包括横向波动、侧面缠绕、直线前进和手风琴般的协奏曲运动。这项研究的目的是使这些无肢推进机制合理化。将采用现有的理论框架来研究蛇的步态。将特别注意评估蛇在移动过程中通过动态抬起身体在效率和速度方面的收益。滑行过程中蛇的重量分布的测量将使用双折射明胶技术和使用压力传感器阵列进行定性测量。对动态承载机制的了解将有助于深入了解蛇的能量收支和减少磨料磨损的机制。在项目的第二部分，将对生活在水面上和水面下的昆虫的运动进行实验和理论相结合的研究。将对火蚁群的机制进行探索性调查，火蚁群的个体是亲水的，不会游泳，它们共同形成漂浮的结构，蚂蚁球使它们能够在洪水中幸存下来。将测量个体与冻结的蚂蚁球的接触角，并观察蚂蚁在球内的动态。还将对水生昆虫和腹足类的运动进行一系列调查，重点是它们的润湿特性、利用纤毛推进以及使它们在自由面附近具有水下稳定性的身体形状。该学院将开设动物生物运动的跨学科本科课程，以吸引生物学和工程学的学生，并提高综合研究的知名度。学校一年一度的机械工程专业大三学生设计大赛将设计一个以生物为灵感的水上行走主题。PI将在英特尔科学人才搜索项目下指导两名当地高中生，他曾参与过该项目。

In this project the PI will investigate, experimentally and theoretically, the role of complex biological integuments in animal locomotion. Two parallel research thrusts are planned: one investigation on the terrestrial limbless locomotion of snakes, and the other on the collective locomotion of semi-aquatic insects. A series of integrated experimental and theoretical investigations will be conducted on the propulsion of snakes on horizontal surfaces. Snakes exhibit four modes of locomotion, including lateral undulation, side winding, rectilinear progression and an accordion-like concertina motion. The goal of this research is to rationalize these limbless propulsion mechanisms. An existing theoretical framework will be adapted for investigation of the snake gaits. Particular attention will be given to assessing the snake's gains in efficiency and speed from dynamic lifting of its body during locomotion. Measurements of the snake's weight distribution during slithering will be obtained qualitatively using birefringent gelatin techniques and quantitatively using arrays of pressure transducers. An understanding of dynamic load-bearing mechanisms will shed insight onto the snake's energy budget and mechanisms for reducing abrasive wear. For the second part of the project, combined experimental and theoretical investigations will be made on the locomotion of insects that live above and below the water surface. An exploratory investigation will be conducted on the mechanisms by which fire ant colonies, whose individuals are hydrophilic and cannot swim, collectively form floating structures, ant balls that allow them to survive floods. Contact angles of the individuals and frozen ant balls will be measured and the dynamics of ants within the ball observed. A series of investigations of the locomotion of aquatic insects and gastropods will also be conducted, focusing on their wetting properties, propulsion using cilia and the body shapes which give them underwater stability near the free surface. The PI will develop an interdisciplinary undergraduate course in animal bio-locomotion in order to draw together students of biology and engineering and increase the visibility of integrative research. A bio-inspired walking-on-water theme will be planned for the school's annual design competition for mechanical engineering juniors. The PI will mentor two local high school students under the Intel Science Talent Search, in which he once participated.