Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Amar Hajj-Ahmad, Amy Kyungwon Han, Michael A. Lin, Gary H. Glover, Mark R. Cutkosky
Summary: This work introduces a new variation on electrostatic clutches that utilize gecko-inspired adhesives instead of friction for braking force. The clutch requires only a brief pulse of voltage to switch states and does not require power or normal pressure to remain engaged or disengaged. It finds applications in safety-critical situations, such as a fail-safe brake for a robotic needle-driving axis and maintaining a static grasping force in a force-controlled robotic gripper. The fabricated prototypes of the gecko-inspired clutch are thin, flexible, and exhibit a controllable adhesive braking force.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jianfeng Fan, Shengchang Ding, Xiangliang Zeng, Shan Gao, Zhibin Wen, Xiaoliang Zeng, Rong Sun, Linlin Ren
Summary: This study enhances the thermal conductivity and damping performance of polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) by utilizing comb-brush copolymers inspired by gecko feet-hairs structures, pointing out a promising direction for next-generation high-performance TIMs and powering the development of intelligent connected vehicles.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Aysegul Kucuk, Yucel Polat, Aydan Kilicarslan, Nuran Sungu, Hakan Kartal, Ali Dogan Dursun, Mustafa Arslan
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of irisin in a murine model of hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury. Results showed that irisin can reduce oxidative stress levels and decrease inflammation, demonstrating a protective effect on skeletal muscle in I/R injury.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Anna Hawliczek, Bianca Brix, Shamma Al Mutawa, Hanan Alsuwaidi, Stefan Du Plessis, Yunfang Gao, Rizwan Qaisar, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Adel B. Elmoselhi, Nandu Goswami
Summary: Due to limited biological samples from returning space explorers, alternative models are needed to study spaceflight-related pathophysiology. This review provides an update on the hind-limb unloading model (HLU), which simulates microgravity in rodents. By removing gravitational load from the hind limbs, this model is widely used to study the effects of unloading on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal physiology. The advantages of HLU and its applications in understanding bedrest confinement and spaceflight effects are discussed.
Article
Robotics
Chohei Pang, Qicheng Wang, Kinwing Mak, Hongyu Yu, Michael Yu Wang
Summary: This paper introduces a new adaptive gecko gripper called Viko 2.0, which effectively combines the advantages of adhesives and visuotactile sensors to solve the difficulty of grasping large objects for robotic grippers. Compared with a non-hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure with a multi-material design achieves a significant increase in adhesion and contact area, while the integrated visuotactile sensor can measure contact area, shear force, and incipient slip detection in real-time.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Zhongyi Chu, Jie Deng, Lin Su, Jing Cui, Fuchun Sun
Summary: This paper proposes a gecko-inspired adhesive robotic end effector for critical-contact manipulation. The end effector consists of a half-scissor variable-scale actuator, a high-sensitivity isotropic flexible capacitive tactile sensor, and a microwedge adhesive. The actuator provides large shear loading for the adhesive through controlling the normal displacement, while the sensor accurately detects contact forces and adhesion state. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed robotic end effector can stably grasp delicate objects in critical-contact condition.
SCIENCE CHINA-INFORMATION SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xiaojie Shi, Jin Xu, Tingkun Chen, Cong Qian, Weijun Tian
Summary: A novel bionic limb vibration isolator inspired by the unique structure of goat hind limbs has been developed. It has excellent nonlinear stiffness, adjustable work range and load capacity. Compared to conventional linear vibration isolators, it offers lower natural frequencies, better vibration isolation effect and wider vibration isolation band.
JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Liuwei Wang, Zhouyi Wang, Bingcheng Wang, Qingsong Yuan, Zhiyuan Weng, Zhendong Dai
Summary: The study investigates the reversible adhesion/release behavior and structural properties of gecko toes. A hierarchical adhesive bionic toe is designed, which can adhere to and release from targets reversibly. The bio-toe shows good adaptability, load capacity, and reversibility of adhesion.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Timothy E. Higham, Minga Zhuang, Anthony P. Russell
Summary: The unique foot structure and movements of geckos allow them to adhere and move on smooth surfaces, with the complex ankle structure and special joints playing a key role. Research comparing geckos with other lizards reveals significant differences in ankle structure, enabling independent rotation and extension of the foot, which contributes to the effective use of the adhesive system by geckos.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Wei Wang, Yang Liu, Zongwu Xie
Summary: Geckos have the ability to climb flexibly on various natural surfaces due to their fine layered adhesion system, leading to significant progress in mechanical measurement, theoretical modeling, production, and application research on gecko-like dry adhesive surfaces over the past two decades. Recent investigations focus on gecko-like dry adhesive surfaces to pave the way for further breakthroughs, with a review of gecko foot adhesion system, adhesive characteristics, models, outstanding surfaces, applications, and prospects for solving remaining problems.
JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Patrick W. Franks, Gwendolyn M. Bryan, Ricardo Reyes, Meghan P. O'Donovan, Karen N. Gregorczyk, Steven H. Collins
Summary: In order for exoskeletons to be effective in real-world situations, they need to be able to function across various terrains, including inclines. Recent research suggests that by optimizing the assistance provided by the entire leg, greater improvements can be achieved compared to single-joint exoskeletons. Using a human-in-the-loop optimization approach, this study determined the optimal torque assistance provided by a hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton emulator on inclines of different degrees. The results showed that the assistance significantly reduced the cost of transport and that the torque and power applied by the exoskeleton increased with incline.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quan Liu, Di Tan, Fandong Meng, Baisong Yang, Zhekun Shi, Xin Wang, Qian Li, Chang Nie, Sheng Liu, Longjian Xue
Summary: It has been demonstrated that incorporating gradient dispersed nanoparticles into the stalk of T-shape micropillars can significantly enhance adhesion performance, resulting in 4.6 times higher adhesion and 2.4 times higher friction compared to pure PDMS T-shape micropillar arrays. This study provides a new design strategy for super-strong structured dry adhesives.
Article
Cell Biology
Tsukasa Shimauchi, Takuro Numaga-Tomita, Yuri Kato, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Kosuke Sakata, Ryosuke Matsukane, Akiyuki Nishimura, Kazuhiro Nishiyama, Atsushi Shibuta, Yutoku Horiuchi, Hitoshi Kurose, Sang Geon Kim, Yasuteru Urano, Takashi Ohshima, Motohiro Nishida
Summary: Inhibition of TRPC6 channel activity in vascular smooth muscle cells promotes blood flow recovery in peripheral artery disease. The drug 1-BP can inhibit this channel activity, leading to improved peripheral circulation and skeletal muscle mass. Additionally, 1-BP can increase vascular nitric oxide bioavailability and enhance blood flow recovery in patients with endothelial dysfunction.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrea N. Wang, Joselia Carlos, Krishna K. Singh, Graham M. Fraser, John J. McGuire
Summary: In this study, endothelial dysfunction and altered expression of endothelial genes in type 2 diabetes were examined using ZDSD rats as a model. The results showed that ZDSD rats exhibited endothelial dysfunction and increased sensitivity to PAR2 agonist-induced vasodilation. Additionally, altered expression of multiple endothelial genes, including PAR2, suggested the involvement of inflammatory and angiogenesis signaling pathways in the endothelium of ZDSD rats.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Peidong Liang, Fengshun Liang, Lizhi Gu, Jinling Song
Summary: This paper proposes and designs a set of searching and pseudo target elimination algorithms for robot flexible limbs, defines and constructs grasping climbing state sequence sets of robot flexible limbs in Euclidean n-dimensional space, and draws a complete cycle map of flexible limb behaviors. By using the norm sequence set of the distances between the centers of two adjacent handles on the same side of the skeleton, machine vision, and specific W-type sensor layout, the pseudo target and real target can be effectively discriminated, establishing the robot's grasping and climbing on a reliable mathematical basis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)