Bioinspired design
Over the course of 3.8 billion years, nature has evolved versatile solutions for survival. By taking inspiration from nature, many engineers, and designers have translated such solutions to human-made devices, structures, and technologies. In this research theme, we aim to answer the question: how can we learn from nature and translate this knowledge to our own designs and technologies?
However, many times this translation lacks input and knowledge from biologists. In this research track, we aim to fill this gap by investigating the functional morphology and locomotion of animals using a quantitative approach to reveal underlying physical principles that can be translated to bioinspired designs.
Approach
Our approach is mostly experimental with mathematical modeling and numerical simulations to support our experiments. The experimental techniques we typically use are: three-dimensional high-speed videography, indentation measurements for characterizing materials and adhesives, morphological measurements using various techniques (e.g., tissue staining, computerized tomography, epi-fluorescent microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging), particle image velocimetry (to visualize and quantify fluid flows), and building robotic and physical models to represent the biological organism.
Organisms
The organisms that we are currently studying include cuttlefish, stick insects, earthworms, mosquitoes, and flies. However, we are always open to study other animals that may have potential for bioinspired designs.
Collaboration with 4TU.federation
In order to translate our findings to bioinspired designs, we collaborate with engineers and roboticists from the four technical universities in the Netherlands (4TU.Federation) through a consortium on Bioinspired Soft Robotics. These collaborators develop designs for medical devices, additive manufacturing, haptic feedback systems, and agricultural robots.
Robots that will daily operate in human environments, will need a ‘soft touch’. The robots we know from industrial production, are extremely precise and fast, but very rigid as well. For physical and safe contact with people, or for handling vulnerable food products, they don’t perform well. ‘4TU Soft Robotics’ chooses a nature-inspired approach: the grip of a tree frog and the flexible arm of a cuttlefish. For this, knowledge of biology, fully new control systems and innovative robot design strategies go hand in hand. The partners of the technical universities strengthen each other in this.
Do you want to know more about Bioinspired design? Please contact us.
Research themes
Biomechanics of moving animals
To unravel how natural movement systems function, we study the biomechanics and neuro-muscular control of moving animals.
Bioinspired design
In this research theme, we aim to answer the question: how can we learn from nature and translate this knowledge to our own designs and technologies?
Evolutionary biology
We study how complex adaptations evolve and what their developmental consequences are for maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy.
Developmental zoology
How do cells in multicellular organisms (self-)organize to form a complex body plan with an amazing functional repertoire, including reproduction, the repair after injuries, and navigation to find food and mating partners?
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