Erosion Resistance of Bionic Functional Surfaces Inspired from Desert Scorpions
Showing posts with label Biomimetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biomimetics. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Not a scratch: Scorpions may have lessons to teach aircraft designers
http://www.economist.com/node/21545971
Monday, 12 March 2012
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Pflanzen als Vorbild für Roboter
http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Pflanzen-als-Vorbild-fuer-Roboter-1429208.html
On the German news, Plants as model samples for robots!!
How do wines coil around a support?
and how do seeds bury themselves into the ground?
On the German news, Plants as model samples for robots!!
How do wines coil around a support?
and how do seeds bury themselves into the ground?
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Upcoming Conferences in the Field of Biomimetics, Plant Biology & Plant Behaviour
11 – 13 June 2012
A Coruña, Spain
A Coruña, Spain
Deadline:
SEB Annual Main Meeting 2012
29th June - 2nd of July
Salzburg, Austria
Living Machines 2012
9th-12th July 2012Barcelona, Spain
Plant Biology Congress Freiburg 2012
July 29 - August 3, 2012
Freiburg
7th Plant Biomechanics International Conference
20-24 August 2012
Clermont-Ferrand, France
1st Symposium on Plant Signaling and Behavior
16-21 September 2012
Perth - Western Australia
63rd International Astronautical Congress
October, 1-5 2012
Napoli, Italy
The 3rd International Symposium on Biomimetics "bionik-A"
October, 17th and 18th 2012
Villach - Austria
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Solar Botanic Renewable Energy Systems
In this biomimicry concept their trees are fitted with Nanoleaves, a combination of Nano photovoltaic- Nanothermovoltaic and Nanopiezo generators converting light, heat and wind energy into green electricity.
Their nanoleaves convert the complete solar spectrum converting visible light, infrared and UV in combination with piezo electric generators that convert wind energy into electricity providing you with efficient, cost effective and aesthetic solutions, providing maximum electric power.
http://www.solarbotanic.com/
Monday, 19 December 2011
Biomimetic robotic Venus flytrap
Abstract
The work described in this paper is a novel design of a robotic Venus flytrap (VFT) (Dionaea
muscipula Ellis) by means of ionic polymeric metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscles as
distributed nanosensors and nanoactuators. Rapid muscular movements in carnivorous plants,
such as VFT, which are triggered by antenna-like sensors (trigger hair), present a golden key to
study distributed biomolecular motors. Carnivorous plants, such as VFT, possess built-in
intelligence (trigger hairs), as a strategy to capture prey, that can be turned on in a controlled
manner. In the case of the VFT, the prey that is lured by the sweet nectar in the VFT pair of
jaw-like lobes has to flip and move the trigger hairs, which are colorless, bristle-like and
pointed. The dynamically moved trigger hairs then electro-elastically send an electric signal to
the internal ions in the lobe to migrate outwardly for the jaw-like lobes to close rapidly to
capture the prey. The manner in which the VFT lobes bend inward to capture the prey shows a
remarkable similarity with typical IPMCs bending in an electric field. Furthermore, the
mechano-electrical sensing characteristics of IPMCs also show a remarkable resemblance to
mechano-electrical trigger hairs on the lobes of the VFT. The reader is referred to a number of
papers in connection with sensing and actuation of IPMCs in particular. Thus, one can
integrate IPMC lobes with a common electrode in the middle of one end of the lobes to act like
a spine and use IPMC bristles as trigger finger to sense the intrusion of a fly or insect to send a
sensing signal to a solid state relay which then triggers the actuation circuit of the IPMC lobes
to rapidly bend toward each other and close. The two lobes, which form the trap, are attached
to the midrib common electrode which is conveniently termed the spine. The upper surface of
each lobe is dished, and spaced along the free margins of the lobes with some 15–20
prong-like teeth . These are tough and pointed, and are inclined at an inward angle so that
when the trap is sprung shut they will interlock. We have been experimenting with the VFT
closing of its jaw-like lobes that close in about 0.3 s and have gained a lot of knowledge to
report on the ionic and electrical mechanisms involved in the operation of such intelligent
distributed biomolecular motors.
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-3190/6/4/046004/pdf/1748-3190_6_4_046004.pdf
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
More about Venus flytrap!
Energetics and forces of the Dionaea muscipula trap closing
Alexander G. Volkov and coworkers
Abstract
Complete hunting cycle of Dionaea muscipula: Consecutive steps and their electrical properties
Alexander G. Volkov and coworkers
Abstract
In the present paper a model is presented for the dynamic response of a family (Droseraceae) of carnivorous plants such as the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula Ellis) and the Waterwheel Plant (Aldrovanda Vesiculosa) to external dynamic disturbances. The goal of the present investigation is to apply such modelling to the molecular design of biomimetic materials with sensors and actuators. In modelling the dynamic response of such plants (or their flowers, to be exact) to external disturbances it is worth noting that these plants are capable of trapping and capturing their prey, usually small insects and flies, by the stimulation of a number of built-in trigger hairs or whisker-type sensors, which may be electro-elastic. The trapping and capturing action is quite muscular in the sense that, for example in the case of the Venus Flytrap, the flower, which is in the form of twin-lobed leaf blades closes quite quickly, upon stimulation of its trigger hairs, to trap the prey. These petals or valves are normally held ajar like an open spring trap. A victim entering the compass of the valves trips a trigger mechanism, whereupon the valves snap together with often surprising speed like a pair of jaws, and the victim is securely held within. The Venus Flytrap and Waterwheel Plant are closely related, though the former is terrestrial while the latter is aquatic. They belong to the same family as the Sundews (Droseraceae). The purpose of the present paper is to present a model for such intelligent structures with built-in sensors and muscular actuators in the hope of being able to fabricate similar intelligent materials (biomimetics) and intelligent structures for practical applications. Another remarkable property of the Venus Flytrap is that it is indeed possible to spring the trap without touching the trigger hairs — by repeated rubbing or scratching of the surface of the lobes for example — but the insect always does so by touching one or more trigger hairs. Based on a number of experimental observations in our laboratory we present a model for sensing and actuation of the Venus Flytrap. Our model is based on redistribution of ions and in particular Ca2+ and H+ ions in the tissue volumes. Generation of action potential simulation of trigger whiskers creates an ionic membrane type depolarization wave that propagates throughout the flower tissues.
Journal of Plant Physiology
Volume 168, Issue 2, 15 January 2011, Pages 109-120
Alexander G. Volkov and coworkers
Abstract
The Venus flytrap is the most famous carnivorous plant. The electrical stimulus between a midrib and a lobe closes the Venus flytrap upper leaf in 0.3 s without mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs. Here we present results for direct measurements of the closing force of the trap of Dionaea muscipula Ellis after mechanical or electrical stimulation of the trap using the piezoelectric thin film or Fuji Prescale indicating sensor film. The closing force was 0.14 N and the corresponding pressure between rims of two lobes was 38 kPa. We evaluated theoretically using the Hydroelastic Curvature Model and compared with experimental data velocity, acceleration and kinetic energy from the time dependencies of distance between rims of lobes during the trap closing. The Charge Stimulation Method was used for trap electrostimulation between the midrib and lobes. From the dependence of voltage between two Ag/AgCl electrodes in the midrib and one of the lobes, we estimated electrical charge, current, resistance, electrical energy and electrical power dependencies on time during electrostimulation of the trap.
Journal of Plant Physiology
Volume 169, Issue 1, 1 January 2012, Pages 55-64
Volume 169, Issue 1, 1 January 2012, Pages 55-64
Complete hunting cycle of Dionaea muscipula: Consecutive steps and their electrical properties
Alexander G. Volkov and coworkers
Abstract
In the present paper a model is presented for the dynamic response of a family (Droseraceae) of carnivorous plants such as the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula Ellis) and the Waterwheel Plant (Aldrovanda Vesiculosa) to external dynamic disturbances. The goal of the present investigation is to apply such modelling to the molecular design of biomimetic materials with sensors and actuators. In modelling the dynamic response of such plants (or their flowers, to be exact) to external disturbances it is worth noting that these plants are capable of trapping and capturing their prey, usually small insects and flies, by the stimulation of a number of built-in trigger hairs or whisker-type sensors, which may be electro-elastic. The trapping and capturing action is quite muscular in the sense that, for example in the case of the Venus Flytrap, the flower, which is in the form of twin-lobed leaf blades closes quite quickly, upon stimulation of its trigger hairs, to trap the prey. These petals or valves are normally held ajar like an open spring trap. A victim entering the compass of the valves trips a trigger mechanism, whereupon the valves snap together with often surprising speed like a pair of jaws, and the victim is securely held within. The Venus Flytrap and Waterwheel Plant are closely related, though the former is terrestrial while the latter is aquatic. They belong to the same family as the Sundews (Droseraceae). The purpose of the present paper is to present a model for such intelligent structures with built-in sensors and muscular actuators in the hope of being able to fabricate similar intelligent materials (biomimetics) and intelligent structures for practical applications. Another remarkable property of the Venus Flytrap is that it is indeed possible to spring the trap without touching the trigger hairs — by repeated rubbing or scratching of the surface of the lobes for example — but the insect always does so by touching one or more trigger hairs. Based on a number of experimental observations in our laboratory we present a model for sensing and actuation of the Venus Flytrap. Our model is based on redistribution of ions and in particular Ca2+ and H+ ions in the tissue volumes. Generation of action potential simulation of trigger whiskers creates an ionic membrane type depolarization wave that propagates throughout the flower tissues.
Journal of Plant Physiology
Volume 168, Issue 2, 15 January 2011, Pages 109-120
Monday, 12 December 2011
A novel form of myrmecotrophic mutualism
Setting the trap: cleaning behaviour of Camponotus schmitzi ants increases long-term capture efficiency of their pitcher plant host, Nepenthes bicalcarata
There are more than 600 species of plants worldwide known to capture small animals to obtain extra nutrition. One species in the tropical peat swamp forests of Borneo, the fanged pitcher plant, Nepenthes bicalcarata, not only traps insects, but also provides a home for the highly specialised species of carpenter ant, Camponotus schmitzi.
The plant's leaves are specially modified as cup-shaped insect traps. These pitchers produce sweet nectar to lure insects; slippery surfaces on the upper rim of the pitcher cause them to slide and fall into the pitchers where they are held and digested by the fluid within. Amazingly, the resident Camponotus schmitzi ants appear to be completely immune to the traps; they nest inside hollow stems of the plant, feed on the traps' nectar without falling and "steal" prey from the pitchers by swimming and diving in the digestive fluid.
Many "ant-plants" have evolved close relationships with ants, which can provide protection from leaf-feeding insects and fungal attack, in return for nesting space and food rewards. The fanged pitcher plant is the only known insect-eating ant-plant. Despite a number of studies since its discovery in the late 19th century, it has been unclear what, if anything, the plant gains from the association.
We discovered that the Camponotus schmitzi ants thoroughly clean the slippery trapping surface of their host plant. Even when strongly contaminated by cornflour, the ants' cleaning restored the slipperiness of the trap within a few days. By cleaning the slippery trap, the ants ensure it is maintained in good condition and can continue to capture insects for much longer than if the ants are absent. Indeed, the pitchers of Nepenthes bicalcarata can live and remain active three times longer than pitchers from other Nepenthes species in the area. So, by maintaining the traps of the plant, the ants do more than just clean: they help the plant to be well-fed.
Source: http://www.functionalecology.org
There are more than 600 species of plants worldwide known to capture small animals to obtain extra nutrition. One species in the tropical peat swamp forests of Borneo, the fanged pitcher plant, Nepenthes bicalcarata, not only traps insects, but also provides a home for the highly specialised species of carpenter ant, Camponotus schmitzi.
The plant's leaves are specially modified as cup-shaped insect traps. These pitchers produce sweet nectar to lure insects; slippery surfaces on the upper rim of the pitcher cause them to slide and fall into the pitchers where they are held and digested by the fluid within. Amazingly, the resident Camponotus schmitzi ants appear to be completely immune to the traps; they nest inside hollow stems of the plant, feed on the traps' nectar without falling and "steal" prey from the pitchers by swimming and diving in the digestive fluid.
Many "ant-plants" have evolved close relationships with ants, which can provide protection from leaf-feeding insects and fungal attack, in return for nesting space and food rewards. The fanged pitcher plant is the only known insect-eating ant-plant. Despite a number of studies since its discovery in the late 19th century, it has been unclear what, if anything, the plant gains from the association.
We discovered that the Camponotus schmitzi ants thoroughly clean the slippery trapping surface of their host plant. Even when strongly contaminated by cornflour, the ants' cleaning restored the slipperiness of the trap within a few days. By cleaning the slippery trap, the ants ensure it is maintained in good condition and can continue to capture insects for much longer than if the ants are absent. Indeed, the pitchers of Nepenthes bicalcarata can live and remain active three times longer than pitchers from other Nepenthes species in the area. So, by maintaining the traps of the plant, the ants do more than just clean: they help the plant to be well-fed.
Source: http://www.functionalecology.org
Friday, 18 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Seed dispersal and Space exploration! (ITA)
"Come i denti di leone ci insegnano a volare"
La disseminazione é quel processo o insieme di processi che determinano l’allontanamento dei frutti o dei semi dalla pianta madre e determina la potenziale distribuzione territoriale delle nuove piante nell’ambiente. Senza disseminazione molte specie si estinguerebbero rapidamente. Le piante sono per lo più prive di mobilità e rimangono nello stesso posto per tutta la vita, basandosi sulla dispersione dei semi per trovare condizioni di vita favorevoli.
Ci sono vari motivi per cui la dispersione dei semi è parte integrante della sopravvivenza di una specie vegetale. Ridurre la concorrenza e colonizzare zone favorevoli sono solo due esempi: piante che crescono in aree sovraffollate dovranno competere per le risorse, e i semi caduti più lontani avranno più possibilità di successo.
Le piante hanno evoluto sistemi per sfruttare animali, vento e acqua, per muoversi, o in altri casi sono le piante stesse che lanciano i propri semi lontano. Esse hanno evoluto strutture specifiche e strategie vincenti per massimizzare l’utilizzo delle risorse ambientali. Alcuni semi hanno ali per planare; i denti di leone sono dotati di un piccolo ombrello e lo usano come paracadute; i semi di acero volano come leggeri "elicotteri". Ma il vento non è l'unico metodo, i semi possono chiedere passaggi ad animali, e percorrere con loro molte miglia, o navigare per fiumi e oceani con le correnti. I semi possono essere lanciati dalle piante madri con quella che prende il nome di “dispersione balistica”: un esempio notevole è l'albero dinamite (Hura crepitans L.), che può scagliare i propri semi a 100 metri di distanza grazie alle tensioni elastiche che si sviluppano nel frutto durante la maturazione.
Tutte queste strategie, testate e sviluppate nel lungo corso evolutivo, sono una pura meraviglia e le piante sono gli ingegneri esperti che le hanno progettate.
Uno dei primi successi biomimetici ispirati ai meccanismi di dispersione dei semi è il velcro, progettato emulando i piccoli ganci dei semi di Arctium spp.
La natura fornisce un database meraviglioso da cui prendere in prestito idee, concetti e disegni e la biomimetica nasce proprio con lo scopo di trovare soluzioni ai problemi ingegneristici grazie al trasferimento tecnologico di soluzioni semplici provenienti dal mondo biologico. L’elevata affidabilità che caratterizza queste soluzioni biologiche sta nel fatto di essere il risultato della lunga evoluzione della vita sulla terra, e la crescente attenzione che questa nuova disciplina sta avendo a livello europeo, risiede nella produttiva combinazione di competenze ingegneristiche e biologiche, che insieme contribuiscono allo sviluppo di applicazioni, dall’alta tecnologia alla vita quotidiana.
L’Advanced Concepts Team dell’Agenzia Spaziale Europea (ESA) (http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/index.htm) sta, tra le altre cose, studiando i meccanismi di dispersione dei semi per estrarre nuove idee e concetti utili ai fini dell’esplorazione spaziale: metodi di locomozione derivanti dai cespugli rotolanti del deserto, trivelle ispirate dai semi che si auto-sotterrano e piccoli paracaduti presi in prestito dai denti di leone. Se le piante sono riuscite a colonizzare ogni angolo della Terra con i propri semi, perché noi non possiamo provare a prendere qualche spunto da loro per l’esplorazione del sistema solare?
http://www.georgofili.info/detail.aspx?id=643
http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/bio/index.htm
La disseminazione é quel processo o insieme di processi che determinano l’allontanamento dei frutti o dei semi dalla pianta madre e determina la potenziale distribuzione territoriale delle nuove piante nell’ambiente. Senza disseminazione molte specie si estinguerebbero rapidamente. Le piante sono per lo più prive di mobilità e rimangono nello stesso posto per tutta la vita, basandosi sulla dispersione dei semi per trovare condizioni di vita favorevoli.
Ci sono vari motivi per cui la dispersione dei semi è parte integrante della sopravvivenza di una specie vegetale. Ridurre la concorrenza e colonizzare zone favorevoli sono solo due esempi: piante che crescono in aree sovraffollate dovranno competere per le risorse, e i semi caduti più lontani avranno più possibilità di successo.
Le piante hanno evoluto sistemi per sfruttare animali, vento e acqua, per muoversi, o in altri casi sono le piante stesse che lanciano i propri semi lontano. Esse hanno evoluto strutture specifiche e strategie vincenti per massimizzare l’utilizzo delle risorse ambientali. Alcuni semi hanno ali per planare; i denti di leone sono dotati di un piccolo ombrello e lo usano come paracadute; i semi di acero volano come leggeri "elicotteri". Ma il vento non è l'unico metodo, i semi possono chiedere passaggi ad animali, e percorrere con loro molte miglia, o navigare per fiumi e oceani con le correnti. I semi possono essere lanciati dalle piante madri con quella che prende il nome di “dispersione balistica”: un esempio notevole è l'albero dinamite (Hura crepitans L.), che può scagliare i propri semi a 100 metri di distanza grazie alle tensioni elastiche che si sviluppano nel frutto durante la maturazione.
Tutte queste strategie, testate e sviluppate nel lungo corso evolutivo, sono una pura meraviglia e le piante sono gli ingegneri esperti che le hanno progettate.
Uno dei primi successi biomimetici ispirati ai meccanismi di dispersione dei semi è il velcro, progettato emulando i piccoli ganci dei semi di Arctium spp.
La natura fornisce un database meraviglioso da cui prendere in prestito idee, concetti e disegni e la biomimetica nasce proprio con lo scopo di trovare soluzioni ai problemi ingegneristici grazie al trasferimento tecnologico di soluzioni semplici provenienti dal mondo biologico. L’elevata affidabilità che caratterizza queste soluzioni biologiche sta nel fatto di essere il risultato della lunga evoluzione della vita sulla terra, e la crescente attenzione che questa nuova disciplina sta avendo a livello europeo, risiede nella produttiva combinazione di competenze ingegneristiche e biologiche, che insieme contribuiscono allo sviluppo di applicazioni, dall’alta tecnologia alla vita quotidiana.
L’Advanced Concepts Team dell’Agenzia Spaziale Europea (ESA) (http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/index.htm) sta, tra le altre cose, studiando i meccanismi di dispersione dei semi per estrarre nuove idee e concetti utili ai fini dell’esplorazione spaziale: metodi di locomozione derivanti dai cespugli rotolanti del deserto, trivelle ispirate dai semi che si auto-sotterrano e piccoli paracaduti presi in prestito dai denti di leone. Se le piante sono riuscite a colonizzare ogni angolo della Terra con i propri semi, perché noi non possiamo provare a prendere qualche spunto da loro per l’esplorazione del sistema solare?
http://www.georgofili.info/detail.aspx?id=643
http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/bio/index.htm
Friday, 11 November 2011
Damping by branching: a bioinspiration from trees
Bioinsp. Biomim. 6 (2011) 046010 (11pp) Download the pdf here
Abstract
Man-made slender structures are known to be sensitive to high levels of vibration due to their
flexibility which often cause irreversible damage. In nature, trees repeatedly endure large
amplitudes of motion, mostly caused by strong climatic events, yet with minor or no damage
in most cases. A new damping mechanism inspired by the architecture of trees is identified
here and characterized in the simplest tree-like structure, a Y-shaped branched structure.
Through analytical and numerical analyses of a simple two-degree-of-freedom model,
branching is shown to be the key ingredient in this protective mechanism that we call
damping-by-branching. It originates in the geometrical nonlinearities so that it is specifically
efficient to damp out large amplitudes of motion. A more realistic model, using flexible beam
approximation, shows that the mechanism is robust. Finally, two bioinspired architectures are
analyzed, showing significant levels of damping achieved via branching with typically 30% of
the energy being dissipated in one oscillation. This concept of damping-by-branching is of
simple practical use in the design of very slender and flexible structures subjected to extreme
dynamical loadings.
Abstract
Man-made slender structures are known to be sensitive to high levels of vibration due to their
flexibility which often cause irreversible damage. In nature, trees repeatedly endure large
amplitudes of motion, mostly caused by strong climatic events, yet with minor or no damage
in most cases. A new damping mechanism inspired by the architecture of trees is identified
here and characterized in the simplest tree-like structure, a Y-shaped branched structure.
Through analytical and numerical analyses of a simple two-degree-of-freedom model,
branching is shown to be the key ingredient in this protective mechanism that we call
damping-by-branching. It originates in the geometrical nonlinearities so that it is specifically
efficient to damp out large amplitudes of motion. A more realistic model, using flexible beam
approximation, shows that the mechanism is robust. Finally, two bioinspired architectures are
analyzed, showing significant levels of damping achieved via branching with typically 30% of
the energy being dissipated in one oscillation. This concept of damping-by-branching is of
simple practical use in the design of very slender and flexible structures subjected to extreme
dynamical loadings.
A naturally occurring nanomaterial from the Sundew (Drosera) for tissue engineering
Bioinsp. Biomim. 6 (2011) 046009 (8pp) Download the pdf here
Abstract
In recent years advances have been made in the design of novel materials for tissue
engineering through the use of polysaccharides. This study evaluated the ability of a naturally
secreted polysaccharide adhesive from the Sundew (Drosera capensis) as a support for cell
growth. The Sundew adhesive has several advantages including its high elasticity and
antibiotic nature. By coating glass cover slips with the Sundew adhesive, a network of
nanofibers was generated that was capable of promoting attachment and differentiation of a
model neuronal cell line, PC-12. We also demonstrated the potential of this material for
repairing bone and soft tissue injuries, by testing attachment of osteoblasts and endothelial
cells. Finally, it was determined that the Sundew biomaterial was stable through testing by
atomic force microscopy and prolonged cell growth. This work has proven the capabilities of
using a nanomaterial derived from the Sundew adhesive for the purpose of tissue engineering.
Abstract
In recent years advances have been made in the design of novel materials for tissue
engineering through the use of polysaccharides. This study evaluated the ability of a naturally
secreted polysaccharide adhesive from the Sundew (Drosera capensis) as a support for cell
growth. The Sundew adhesive has several advantages including its high elasticity and
antibiotic nature. By coating glass cover slips with the Sundew adhesive, a network of
nanofibers was generated that was capable of promoting attachment and differentiation of a
model neuronal cell line, PC-12. We also demonstrated the potential of this material for
repairing bone and soft tissue injuries, by testing attachment of osteoblasts and endothelial
cells. Finally, it was determined that the Sundew biomaterial was stable through testing by
atomic force microscopy and prolonged cell growth. This work has proven the capabilities of
using a nanomaterial derived from the Sundew adhesive for the purpose of tissue engineering.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Resurrection plants
from How Plants Work.com :
One of the main problems for plants when they colonized terrestrial environments on Earth nearly a half billion years ago was how to survive the dryness.
Resurrection plants, however, display the remarkable ability to survive near total desiccation (less than 5% relative water content), which causes them to appear dead. But when rehydrated, these plants can be revived. Hence, they are often referred to as “resurrection plants”.
Probably the most well-known is the species Selaginella lepidophylla
Briefly, the onset of water loss apparently sets into motion a series of cellular events that can be summarized as follows:
Dehydration –> Activation of “desiccation-related” genes –> (1) Alterations in metabolism and (2) Production of “protective” proteins
(1) Alterations in metabolism: (a) accumulation of protective solutes such as sucrose, trehalose, and proline that stabilize proteins and cellular membranes, (b) production of antioxidant compounds (such as galloylquinic acids), and (c) biochemical alterations in membrane and cell wall composition.
(2) Production of “protective” proteins such as “dehydrins” and “expansins” that help preserve the structural integrity of intracellular organelles and the cell walls.
References
1. Moore, J.P., et al. (2006) “Response of the Leaf Cell Wall to Desiccation in the Resurrection Plant Myrothamnus flabellifolius.” Plant Physiology Vol. 141, pp. 651–662.
2. Layton, B.E., et al. (2010) “Dehydration-induced expression of a 31-kDa dehydrin in Polypodium polypodioides (Polypodiaceae) may enable large, reversible deformation of cell walls.” American Journal of Botany Vol. 97, pp. 535-544.
3. Moore, J.P., et al. (2009) “Towards a systems-based understanding of plant desiccation tolerance.” Trends in Plant Science Vol. 14, pp. 110-117.
And this amazing plants are at the basis of a long-term thermostabilization process to preserve vaccines,
here some more details:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/1281/
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/2/19/19ra12.abstract
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-322568/Vaccine-breakthrough-revolutionise-Third-World-health.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17661683
One of the main problems for plants when they colonized terrestrial environments on Earth nearly a half billion years ago was how to survive the dryness.
Resurrection plants, however, display the remarkable ability to survive near total desiccation (less than 5% relative water content), which causes them to appear dead. But when rehydrated, these plants can be revived. Hence, they are often referred to as “resurrection plants”.
Probably the most well-known is the species Selaginella lepidophylla
Briefly, the onset of water loss apparently sets into motion a series of cellular events that can be summarized as follows:
Dehydration –> Activation of “desiccation-related” genes –> (1) Alterations in metabolism and (2) Production of “protective” proteins
(1) Alterations in metabolism: (a) accumulation of protective solutes such as sucrose, trehalose, and proline that stabilize proteins and cellular membranes, (b) production of antioxidant compounds (such as galloylquinic acids), and (c) biochemical alterations in membrane and cell wall composition.
(2) Production of “protective” proteins such as “dehydrins” and “expansins” that help preserve the structural integrity of intracellular organelles and the cell walls.
References
1. Moore, J.P., et al. (2006) “Response of the Leaf Cell Wall to Desiccation in the Resurrection Plant Myrothamnus flabellifolius.” Plant Physiology Vol. 141, pp. 651–662.
2. Layton, B.E., et al. (2010) “Dehydration-induced expression of a 31-kDa dehydrin in Polypodium polypodioides (Polypodiaceae) may enable large, reversible deformation of cell walls.” American Journal of Botany Vol. 97, pp. 535-544.
3. Moore, J.P., et al. (2009) “Towards a systems-based understanding of plant desiccation tolerance.” Trends in Plant Science Vol. 14, pp. 110-117.
And this amazing plants are at the basis of a long-term thermostabilization process to preserve vaccines,
here some more details:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/1281/
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/2/19/19ra12.abstract
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-322568/Vaccine-breakthrough-revolutionise-Third-World-health.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17661683
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Intelligenza di sciame e robotica - Swarm intelligence and robotics
sorry, in Italian only from the
Marco Dorigo
Festival della Scienza di Genova
October 28, 2011Marco Dorigo
La swarm intelligence è la disciplina che studia sistemi naturali e artificiali composti da un gran numero di agenti che coordinano le loro attività in modo distribuito e utilizzando esclusivamente informazione locale.
Protagonista dell’incontro è la swarm robotics , disciplina che si occupa del design, della costruzione e del controllo di sistemi robotici che seguono i principi della swarm intelligence. In particolare, il pubblico è qui accompagnato alla scoperta di due importanti progetti europei: Swarm-bots e Swarmanoid.
In Swarm-bots, i robot considerati sono macchine autonome, chiamate s-bot, che si muovono sul terreno e che possono attaccarsi l'uno all'altro per mezzo di una pinza. In questo modo gli s-bot possono aggregarsi in un robot fisicamente più capace e riescono ora a eseguire compiti che vanno al di la delle capacità originariamente pensate per i singoli.
Il progetto Swarmanoid prevede invece che le idee sviluppate in Swarm-bots siano estese al caso di sistemi di robot autonomi eterogenei. Ovvero di automi che possono in questo modo agire nelle tre dimensioni.
(Interessanti filmati di robot Filmati di robot in azione e voci esperte vi accompagnano alla scoperta dell’affascinante mondo dei robot e della swarm intelligence)
watch the video here
http://www.festivalscienzalive.it/site/home/conferenze/conferenza-intelligenza-di-sciame-robotica.html
Protagonista dell’incontro è la swarm robotics , disciplina che si occupa del design, della costruzione e del controllo di sistemi robotici che seguono i principi della swarm intelligence. In particolare, il pubblico è qui accompagnato alla scoperta di due importanti progetti europei: Swarm-bots e Swarmanoid.
In Swarm-bots, i robot considerati sono macchine autonome, chiamate s-bot, che si muovono sul terreno e che possono attaccarsi l'uno all'altro per mezzo di una pinza. In questo modo gli s-bot possono aggregarsi in un robot fisicamente più capace e riescono ora a eseguire compiti che vanno al di la delle capacità originariamente pensate per i singoli.
Il progetto Swarmanoid prevede invece che le idee sviluppate in Swarm-bots siano estese al caso di sistemi di robot autonomi eterogenei. Ovvero di automi che possono in questo modo agire nelle tre dimensioni.
(Interessanti filmati di robot Filmati di robot in azione e voci esperte vi accompagnano alla scoperta dell’affascinante mondo dei robot e della swarm intelligence)
watch the video here
http://www.festivalscienzalive.it/site/home/conferenze/conferenza-intelligenza-di-sciame-robotica.html
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Slime mould designs Tokyo rail network
It is a quite old paper, but I find it nice!
"Physarum polycephalum, consists of a membrane-bound bag of protoplasm and, unusually, multiple nuclei. It can be found migrating across the floor of dark, damp, northern-temperate woodlands in search of food such as bacteria. It can grow into networks with a diameter of 25cm."
"As it explores the forest floor, it must constantly trade off the cost, efficiency and resilience of its expanding network"
"They found that many of the links the slime mould made bore a striking resemblance to Tokyo’s existing rail network. For P. polycephalum had not simply created the shortest possible network that could connect all the cities, but had also included redundant connections that allow the creature (and the real rail network) to have resilience to the accidental breakage of any part of it. P. polycephalum’s network, in other words, had similar costs, efficiencies and resiliencies to the human version."
"Physarum polycephalum, consists of a membrane-bound bag of protoplasm and, unusually, multiple nuclei. It can be found migrating across the floor of dark, damp, northern-temperate woodlands in search of food such as bacteria. It can grow into networks with a diameter of 25cm."
"As it explores the forest floor, it must constantly trade off the cost, efficiency and resilience of its expanding network"
"They found that many of the links the slime mould made bore a striking resemblance to Tokyo’s existing rail network. For P. polycephalum had not simply created the shortest possible network that could connect all the cities, but had also included redundant connections that allow the creature (and the real rail network) to have resilience to the accidental breakage of any part of it. P. polycephalum’s network, in other words, had similar costs, efficiencies and resiliencies to the human version."
To read the full story : The Economist
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Smart Solutions From The Plant Kingdom: beyond the animal models
This is the title of the exciting workshop organized by Stefano Mancuso together with Barbara Mazzolai, from the Centre for Micro-BioRobotics of IIT@SSSA.
The workshop will be held on October 24, 2011 at Accademia dei Georgofili in Florence (Italy) with the aims of: providing an authoritative overview of solutions inspired by plants; stimulating a fruitful and attractive discussion on this emerging scientific area; creating an occasion in which scientists and engineers can offer different perspectives and viewpoints in developing a new class of biomimetic solutions, which exhibit different performance in terms of materials, fabrication technologies, sensors, actuators, computing solutions, etc.; outlining the current opportunities and challenges of biomimetics approach.
The objectives of the workshop are to share and discuss in a broad community the current state of the art concerning the researches in the research areas that look at plants for as inspiration source, to analyze the potentiality of field and how it can impact in future technologies in general, as well as to encourage collaborations and inspire the exploration of novel research lines or projects.
Biomimetics is attracting the interest of a growing number of scientists and researchers worldwide. The Plant Kingdom represents an amazing source of inspiration for designing and developing smart solutions in different fields. Mimicking plants requires deep investigation of new materials, mechanisms, sensors, actuators, and control schemes and can lead to breakthrough advances of technologies. In this workshop, we wish to contribute to the discussion on the development of biomimetic solutions inspired by plants. In particular, this workshop will look at the importance of integrating knowledge coming from different fields, as biology, engineering, chemistry, computer science, and physics to conceive and develop advanced systems.
Programme:
9.00 - 9.10 Welcome - Franco Scaramuzzi, President of the Accademia dei Georgofili
9.10 - 9.20 Welcome - Barbara Mazzolai, Centre for Micro-BioRobotics@SSSA, Pontedera, Italy.
Stefano Mancuso Dpt. Plant, Soil & Environment, University of Florence, Italy
9.20 - 9.50 Barbara Mazzolai - Centre for Micro-BioRobotics of IIT@SSSA, Pontedera, Italy
Robotics and ICT technologies inspired by plants
9.50 - 10.20 Stefano Mancuso - Dpt. Plant, Soil & Environment University of Florence, Italy
Communication in plant root
10.20 - 10.50 COFFEE BREAK
10.50 - 11.35 George Jeronimidis - Centre for Biomimetics, University of Reading (UK)
Fibre hierarchies in plants: the key to smart solutions
11.35 - 12.20 Robin Seidel - Plant Biomechanics Group University Freiburg, Germany
Innovative biomimetic materials inspired by plants
12.20 - 13.05 Michaela Eder - Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Design principles of plant actuation
13.05 - 14.30 LUNCH BREAK
14.30 - 15.15 Frantisek Baluska - Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Germany
Growing roots and their searching behavior
15.15 - 16.00 Guido Caldarelli - Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
Quantifying the taxonomic diversity in real species communities
16.00 - 16.30 COFFEE BREAK
16.30 - 17.15 Paco Calvo - Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
Adaptive behavior and direct perception: ecological lessons from plant neurobiology
17.15 - 18.00 Camilla Pandolfi - European Space Agency, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Seeds, dispersal and biomimicry
18.00 - 18.15 Conclusions
The workshop will be held on October 24, 2011 at Accademia dei Georgofili in Florence (Italy) with the aims of: providing an authoritative overview of solutions inspired by plants; stimulating a fruitful and attractive discussion on this emerging scientific area; creating an occasion in which scientists and engineers can offer different perspectives and viewpoints in developing a new class of biomimetic solutions, which exhibit different performance in terms of materials, fabrication technologies, sensors, actuators, computing solutions, etc.; outlining the current opportunities and challenges of biomimetics approach.
The objectives of the workshop are to share and discuss in a broad community the current state of the art concerning the researches in the research areas that look at plants for as inspiration source, to analyze the potentiality of field and how it can impact in future technologies in general, as well as to encourage collaborations and inspire the exploration of novel research lines or projects.
Biomimetics is attracting the interest of a growing number of scientists and researchers worldwide. The Plant Kingdom represents an amazing source of inspiration for designing and developing smart solutions in different fields. Mimicking plants requires deep investigation of new materials, mechanisms, sensors, actuators, and control schemes and can lead to breakthrough advances of technologies. In this workshop, we wish to contribute to the discussion on the development of biomimetic solutions inspired by plants. In particular, this workshop will look at the importance of integrating knowledge coming from different fields, as biology, engineering, chemistry, computer science, and physics to conceive and develop advanced systems.
Programme:
9.00 - 9.10 Welcome - Franco Scaramuzzi, President of the Accademia dei Georgofili
9.10 - 9.20 Welcome - Barbara Mazzolai, Centre for Micro-BioRobotics@SSSA, Pontedera, Italy.
Stefano Mancuso Dpt. Plant, Soil & Environment, University of Florence, Italy
9.20 - 9.50 Barbara Mazzolai - Centre for Micro-BioRobotics of IIT@SSSA, Pontedera, Italy
Robotics and ICT technologies inspired by plants
9.50 - 10.20 Stefano Mancuso - Dpt. Plant, Soil & Environment University of Florence, Italy
Communication in plant root
10.20 - 10.50 COFFEE BREAK
10.50 - 11.35 George Jeronimidis - Centre for Biomimetics, University of Reading (UK)
Fibre hierarchies in plants: the key to smart solutions
11.35 - 12.20 Robin Seidel - Plant Biomechanics Group University Freiburg, Germany
Innovative biomimetic materials inspired by plants
12.20 - 13.05 Michaela Eder - Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Design principles of plant actuation
13.05 - 14.30 LUNCH BREAK
14.30 - 15.15 Frantisek Baluska - Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Germany
Growing roots and their searching behavior
15.15 - 16.00 Guido Caldarelli - Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
Quantifying the taxonomic diversity in real species communities
16.00 - 16.30 COFFEE BREAK
16.30 - 17.15 Paco Calvo - Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
Adaptive behavior and direct perception: ecological lessons from plant neurobiology
17.15 - 18.00 Camilla Pandolfi - European Space Agency, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Seeds, dispersal and biomimicry
18.00 - 18.15 Conclusions
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity
A slippery surface bio-inspired by pitcher plants.... actually I was starting the same study... too late!
really a nice work!
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v477/n7365/full/nature10447.html
Nature, vol: 477, pp: 443–447
Date published: 22 September 2011 DOI: doi:10.1038/nature10447
really a nice work!
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v477/n7365/full/nature10447.html
Nature, vol: 477, pp: 443–447
Date published: 22 September 2011 DOI: doi:10.1038/nature10447
Thursday, 1 September 2011
The fibonacci sequence in trees
Nice work of a very young boy!!
http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/2011/aidan.html
http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/2011/aidan.html
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