Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Hendrik K. Beck, Johanna T. Schultz, Christofer J. Clemente
Summary: The study of legged locomotion for robotic applications has become increasingly important. Researchers developed a modular bio-inspired climbing robot that mimics the lizard's bauplan, and achieved different performance by modifying gait and hardware parameters.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Emilie C. Snell-Rood, Dimitri Smirnoff
Summary: In bio-inspired design, the concept of 'function' helps engineers and designers to transfer knowledge between biological models and human applications. However, the meaning of 'function' can vary across fields, posing challenges for interdisciplinary research.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Lin Gao, M. Usman Akhtar, Fan Yang, Shahzad Ahmad, Jiankang He, Qin Lian, Wei Cheng, Jinhua Zhang, Dichen Li
Summary: Living cells serve as scalable biological actuators in nature, providing efficient technological solutions for robotic systems. Recent advancements in biofabrication have enabled the integration of muscle cells with artificial technology to develop fully functional biohybrid robots. This review highlights the progress in engineering individual components for biohybrid robots, discussing the fabrication of bioactuators, the performance of biohybrid robots in biomimetic tasks, and challenges for future development.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chao Wan, Stanislav N. Gorb
Summary: Power amplification with catapult-like structures in arthropods, including the jump mechanism of natural organisms and biomimetic applications in robotics, has been well studied. The study on body-jumps of the sandhopper Talitrus saltator revealed the crucial catapult structures providing significant power amplification, inspiring potential designs for multi-segmented bio-robots with excellent jumping ability.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Taekyoung Kim, Hee-Sup Shin, Kyu-Hyeon Nam, Sarah Bergbreiter, Yong-Lae Park
Summary: This article presents the design of a soft airflow sensor that can detect the direction and magnitude of airflow using rapid prototyping. The sensor consists of an artificial hair structure and conductive ionogel channels. The sensor shows reliable responses to unidirectional airflows ranging from 6 to 13 m/s, and a clear relationship between applied loads and sensor outputs is observed. The proposed airflow sensor is also successfully applied to a small uncrewed ground vehicle for stable operation through atmospheric disturbance detection.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitry Tsurkan, Paul Simon, Christian Schimpf, Mykhaylo Motylenko, David Rafaja, Friedrich Roth, Dmytro S. Inosov, Anna A. Makarova, Izabela Stepniak, Iaroslav Petrenko, Armin Springer, Enrico Langer, Anton A. Kulbakov, Maxim Avdeev, Artur R. Stefankiewicz, Korbinian Heimler, Olga Kononchuk, Sebastian Hippmann, Doreen Kaiser, Christine Viehweger, Anika Rogoll, Alona Voronkina, Valentin Kovalchuk, Vasilii V. Bazhenov, Roberta Galli, Mehdi Rahimi-Nasrabadi, Serguei L. Molodtsov, Yvonne Joseph, Carla Vogt, Denis V. Vyalikh, Martin Bertau, Hermann Ehrlich
Summary: The study focuses on designing new composite materials using extreme biomimetics with the development of a new spongin-atacamite composite material. The structure of the material is confirmed through various experimental techniques, suggesting multifunctional applicability for the development of 3D constructed sensors, catalysts, and antibacterial filter systems.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ce Liang, Arsalan Marghoub, Loic Kever, Sergio Bertazzo, Arkhat Abzhanov, Matthew Vickaryous, Anthony Herrel, Susan E. Evans, Mehran Moazen
Summary: This study focused on the morphological characterization of osteoderms (OD) in three lizard species and the design of biomimetic sheets corresponding to their OD arrangement, followed by impact resistance testing. Results suggest that compound overlapping ODs, as observed in Corucia, may offer higher shock absorption capabilities compared to other OD arrangements. Further exploration of compound overlapping ODs as a biomimetic concept for increasing shock absorption in devices and structures is recommended.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Tom Masselter, Uwe Schaumann, Tim Kampowski, Kim Ulrich, Marc Thielen, Georg Bold, Thomas Speck
Summary: The development of enhanced filtration processes is a solution to combat the increasing pollution of freshwater and oceans caused by microplastics and microfibers. This study focuses on the biomimetic development of a new concept for filtering and removing particles such as microfibers in conventional washing machines. The use of TRIZ analysis led to feasible solutions for the major challenges, and the results of measurements with different filters showed promise for incorporating them into an easy-to-operate and cost-effective filter concept.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Johanna T. Schultz, Hendrik K. Beck, Tina Haagensen, Tasmin Proost, Christofer J. Clemente
Summary: Locomotion is a key aspect for many organisms in ecologically relevant tasks, with climbing lizards serving as a good example of constraints in optimizing performance tasks. Evolutionary modifications among species seem to prioritize areas that promote speed and efficiency in movement.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ashis Tripathy, Md Julker Nine, Dusan Losic, Filipe Samuel Silva
Summary: This article summarizes the latest developments in bio-inspired sensing and biosensing materials, focusing on design and mechanisms to analyze their potential in multifunctional sensing applications. It highlights various bioinspired structural features and their functional properties, provides an overview of fundamental mechanisms of distinct living creatures, and describes elaborately various sensing and biosensing applications of nature-inspired structures/functions. The challenges and prospects of nature-inspired smart sensing and biosensing technology for the 21st century are also discussed.
MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING R-REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Pestell, Thom Griffith, Nathan F. Lepora
Summary: The researchers propose a biomimetic tactile sensor that mimics the transduction principles of human touch, allowing robotic touch to approach the capabilities of human touch. Experiments using this sensor show a match between artificial and natural touch at single neuron, population, and perceptual levels, although natural touch is more sensitive.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Malebogo N. Ngoepe, Elsabe Cloete, Claire van den Berg, Nonhlanhla P. Khumalo
Summary: Cyclic testing of human hair provides insights into the behavior of fibers over multiple loading cycles, showing that curly fibers exhibit a characteristic toe-region during tensile tests which disappears as the number of cycles increase. This observation supports the hypothesis that the toe-region in curly fibers is due to a hydrogen bonding mechanism present only in curly fibers.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soha Yousuf, Jad Mahmoud Halabi, Ibrahim Tahir, Ejaz Ahmed, Rachid Rezgui, Liang Li, Praveen Laws, Mohammed Daqaq, Pance Naumov
Summary: In this study, a flexible, thin and optically transmissive organic crystal with a high aspect ratio was used as an active flow sensor. The crystal, stamped with fluorescent dye, bends when exposed to gas flow and laser, acting as an optical flow (hair) sensor with low detection limit (approximately 1.578 m s(-1)) and fast response time (approximately 2.70 s). Finite element analysis was used to model the air-flow-induced crystal deformation and flow dynamics response. This prototype crystal hair-like sensor, with its simple design, lightweight and mechanical robustness, opens up possibilities for a new class of sensing devices ranging from wearable electronics to aeronautics.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Katharine K. Miller, Patrick Atkinson, Kyssia Ruth Mendoza, Daibhid Maoileidigh, Nicolas Grillet
Summary: The hair bundle of hair cells is a mechanosensory organelle that detects mechanical stimuli, and its dimensions and characteristics affect how it responds to stimuli. Measurements on mouse inner hair cells concluded that different fixation methods can influence the size and mechanical properties of hair bundles.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Junfei Huang, Danlan Fu, Xiaoqi Wu, Yue Li, BoWen Zheng, Zhen Liu, Yi Zhou, Yuyang Gan, Yong Miao, Zhiqi Hu
Summary: A microfluidic-assisted technology is developed for the preparation of double aqueous microdroplets that entrap double-layer cells and growth factors for hair regeneration. The prepared microspheres exhibit ultrafast gelation, aqueous phase separation, superior biocompatibility, and favorable wet adhesion properties. They can support cell proliferation and sustain growth factor release, leading to efficient hair follicle generation upon transplantation into nude mice.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Abel Arredondo-Galeana, Anna M. Young, Amanda S. M. Smyth, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: Passive trailing-edge flaps can effectively alleviate unsteady load fluctuations by up to 25% without affecting the mean load, with effectiveness dependent on their size relative to the foil.
JOURNAL OF FLUIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Jean-Baptiste R. G. Souppez, Patrick Bot, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: The study investigates the flow around a circular arc and its effects on forces. It is found that a leading-edge separation bubble is formed on the convex side of the arc, leading to boundary layer separation. The force crisis is associated with the suppressed relaminarization of the boundary layer, and the critical angle of attack exhibits a linear relationship with the Reynolds number.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Madeleine Seale
Article
Engineering, Marine
Abel Arredondo-Galeana, Aristides Kiprakis, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: This paper investigates the active surface morphing technique at low cost and low Reynolds number for underwater applications. Experimental results show that the method can increase lift by 1% and decrease drag by 6% under fast actuation. The approach is applicable to the marine environment and more economical than existing technologies.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
C. P. Cummins, G. T. Scarlett, C. Windt
Summary: The scattering problem of the Mocean wave energy converter is investigated using the Boundary Element Method and Computational Fluid Dynamics. The resonant motion of the fluid induces large hydrodynamic forces on the device, and it is found that the device can tune to low-frequency resonance. The simulations show excellent agreement with previous studies, and the results highlight the importance of nonlinear effects.
JOURNAL OF OCEAN ENGINEERING AND MARINE ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ignazio Maria Viola, Alex Nila, Thomas Davey, Roman Gabl
Summary: A new white-light volumetric flow measurement technique is introduced for largescale facilities. This technique enables accurate measurement of large volumes without the need for a class-4 laser. Experimental results show that the LED-based Lagrangian particle tracking velocimetry can effectively measure the tip vortex formation and near wake of a tidal turbine in a water tank.
JOURNAL OF VISUALIZATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Madeleine Seale, Annamaria Kiss, Simone Bovio, Ignazio Maria Viola, Enrico Mastropaolo, Arezki Boudaoud, Naomi Nakayama
Summary: This article introduces the mechanism by which plants generate motion through the absorption and release of water, using the example of the dandelion to explore the relationship between the structure and function of closing its hairy pappus. Through studying the structure and properties of the actuator cell walls, the authors identify the mechanism by which the dandelion pappus closes and develop a structural computational model to investigate its critical design features. The actuator relies on the radial arrangement of vascular bundles and surrounding tissues to coordinate movement. This simple material-based mechanism has promising biomimetic potential in robotics and functional materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jean-Baptiste R. G. Souppez, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: This study develops a blockage correction method using experimental methods, which allows for an extended range of model sizes that can be tested in water and wind tunnels, and contributes to the accurate accounting of blockage effects at transitional Reynolds number conditions.
JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Madeleine Seale, Oleksandr Zhdanov, Merel B. Soons, Cathal Cummins, Erika Kroll, Michael R. Blatt, Hossein Zare-Behtash, Angela Busse, Enrico Mastropaolo, James M. Bullock, Ignazio M. Viola, Naomi Nakayama
Summary: This study reveals the influence of moisture on the dispersal of dandelion, showing that the morphing of its hairy pappus in response to moisture changes the dispersal properties by altering the fluid mechanics of diaspore flight.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Stefano Gambuzza, Gabriele Pisetta, Thomas Davey, Jeffrey Steynor, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: Tidal currents are a renewable and predictable energy source that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, they are highly unsteady and non-uniform, resulting in undesirable load fluctuations on turbine blades and the drive train. A passive morphing blade concept has been formulated to reduce these load fluctuations without affecting the mean loads, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated through experimental tests on a 1.2-m diameter turbine. This study also highlights critical design aspects, such as minimizing friction resistance, for the successful implementation of morphing blades in tidal turbines.
Article
Robotics
Ruby Marshall, Jean-Baptiste R. G. Souppez, Mariya Khan, Ignazio Maria Viola, Hiroyuki Nabae, Koichi Suzumori, Adam A. Stokes, Francesco Giorgio-Serchi
Summary: Active textiles have great potential in soft robotics due to their tunable stiffness and design flexibility. However, there is currently no rigorous and generalizable characterization of these systems due to the wide design space of planar and spatial arrangements of woven structures. In this study, a parametric study of plain weave active fabrics was conducted to characterize their mechanical properties under varying muscle densities and pressures. The findings provide insights into the mechanical properties of active textiles and may contribute to the development of wearable technologies and biomedical devices in the future.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Ocean
Benjian Song, Cathal Cummins, Qingping Zou
Summary: Long-term cyclic loading on offshore wind monopiles can lead to a decrease in the mechanical properties of the seabed near the monopile's foundation, causing instability of the submarine slope and the monopile foundation. A numerical model showed that the safety factor of the slope significantly decreases with each stage of the process, and sharp changes in load amplitude and large average load also decrease the safety factors. An increase in monopile diameter and embedded depth can enhance overall slope stability.
APPLIED OCEAN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ignazio Maria Viola, Brian Peterson, Gabriele Pisetta, Geethanjali Pavar, Hibbah Akhtar, Filippo Menoloascina, Enzo Mangano, Katherine E. Dunn, Roman Gabl, Alex Nila, Emanuela Molinari, Cathal Cummins, Gerard Thompson, Tsz-Yan Milly Lo, Fiona C. Denison, Paul Digard, Omair Malik, Mark J. G. Dunn, Catherine M. McDougall, Felicity Mehendale
Summary: Face covers can reduce the risk of virus transmission, but the effectiveness varies depending on the type of mask, with some masks potentially presenting leakage hazards.
IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Shuji Otomo, Sabrina Henne, Karen Mulleners, Kiran Ramesh, Ignazio Maria Viola
Summary: The study shows that combining Theodorsen's linear theory with unsteady thin-aerofoil theory can accurately predict the forces on an aerofoil during large flow variations, particularly with high accuracy in the presence of intense vortices. However, the accuracy of the model decreases when leading and trailing edge vortices interact with each other.
EXPERIMENTS IN FLUIDS
(2021)