Functional design of beetle leg joints: morphology, tribology, and cuticular microstructure

本研究的目的是揭示和描述甲虫腿部关节的摩擦学、功能和结构特性。模型对象是暗甲虫Zophobas morio和刚果玫瑰金龟子Pachnoda marginata的图像。本研究的目的是：1.描述主要的形态设计的关节; 2。关节角质层的摩擦学特性研究（包括磨损效应）; 3.检查关节角质层的抗污染性能; 4.检查关节中基于表皮的润滑的假定存在; 5.关节角质层力学性能（刚度、硬度、回弹性）的研究; 6.描述接头中角质层的微观结构，并检查是否存在增强金属。研究计划包括八个章节。第一章是节理基本要素的一般形态描述，是后续阶段描述的基础。第2-8章集中在选定的性能的关节根据目标：摩擦学性能，磨损效应，润滑，耐污染性，机械性能，微观结构，和基本组成的角质层关节。在本研究过程中，将使用X射线显微断层扫描、光、荧光、扫描和透射电子显微镜（SEM和TEM）、低温SEM、共聚焦激光扫描显微镜、原子力显微镜、能量色散X射线光谱、纳米摩擦学和纳米压痕等方法。该项目的预期结果将是一个相关的和有前途的贡献，进一步仿生为导向的研究，在广泛的主题在工程和材料科学和有希望的仿生转移的研究微机电系统和机器人。

The goal of this research is to reveal and describe tribological, functional, and structural properties of joints in beetle’s legs. The model objects are imagoes of the darkling beetle Zophobas morio and Congo rose chafer Pachnoda marginata. The objectives of the research are: 1. Description of the principal morphological design of joints; 2. Study of the tribological properties of the cuticle of joints (including wear effects); 3. Examination of the contamination resistance properties of the cuticle of joints; 4. Checking the supposed presence of cuticular-based lubrication in joints; 5. Study of the mechanical properties of the cuticle of joints (stiffness, hardness, resilience); 6. Description of the microscale structure of the cuticle in joints and checking of possible presence of reinforcing metals. The research program comprises eight chapters. Chapter 1 represents the general morphological description of primary elements of joints and is the primary descriptive base for the following stages. Chapters 2-8 focus on the selected properties of joints according to the objectives: tribological properties, wear effects, lubrication, contamination resistance, mechanical properties, microscale structure, and elementary composition of the cuticle of joints. The methods of X-ray microtomography, light, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), cryo-SEM, confocal laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, nanotribology and nanoindentation will be used in the course of this research. The expected results of the project will supposedly be a relevant and promising contribution to further biomimetic-oriented studies in a broad range of topics in both engineering and material sciences and promising for a biomimetic transfer in studies of microelectromechanical systems and robotics.