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Biomimetics
Volume 8
Issue 1
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Biomimetics, Volume 8, Issue 1 (March 2023) – 131 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Periodontal cells are involved in the synthesis of the extracellular matrix of periodontal ligament fibers, connecting teeth to the jaw bone. Understanding how to stimulate these cells to promote the formation of a suitable extracellular matrix is essential for the development of periodontal ligament regenerative strategies. In particular, periodontal cells are subjected to in vivo biomechanical loading during mastication.  In the current study, the authors revealed that human periodontal cells seeded in a fibrous polymeric scaffold presented specific behavior under mechanical loading. As an example, the cells migrated deeply within the 3D scaffold architecture under loading, while under static conditions, large cell layers spread over the scaffold surface as shown in the figure. View this paper
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16 pages, 3721 KiB  
Essay
Modeling and Analysis of a Reconfigurable Rover for Improved Traversing over Soft Sloped Terrains
by Shipeng Lyu, Wenyao Zhang, Chen Yao, Zheng Zhu and Zhenzhong Jia
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010131 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
Adjusting the roll angle of a rover’s body is a commonly used strategy to improve its traversability over sloped terrains. However, its range of adjustment is often limited, due to constraints imposed by the rover design and geometry factors such as suspension, chassis, [...] Read more.
Adjusting the roll angle of a rover’s body is a commonly used strategy to improve its traversability over sloped terrains. However, its range of adjustment is often limited, due to constraints imposed by the rover design and geometry factors such as suspension, chassis, size, and suspension travel. In order to improve the rover’s traversability under these constraints, this paper proposes a reconfigurable rover design with a two-level (sliding and rolling) mechanism to adjust the body’s roll angle. Specifically, the rolling mechanism is a bionic structure, akin to the human ankle joint which can change the contact pose between the wheel and the terrain. This novel adjustment mechanism can modulate the wheel–terrain contact pose, center-of-mass projection over the supporting polygon, wheel load, and the rover driving mode. Combining the wheel–load model and terramechanics-based wheel–terrain interaction model, we develop an integrated model to describe the system dynamics, especially the relationship between rover pose and wheel slippage parameters. Using this model, we develop an associated attitude control strategy to calculate the desired rover pose using particle swarm algorithm while considering the slip rate and angle constraints. We then adjust the sliding and rolling servo angles accordingly for slope traversing operations. To evaluate the proposed design and control strategies, we conduct extensive simulation and experimental studies. The results indicate that our proposed rover design and associated control strategy can double the maximum slope angles that the rover can negotiate, resulting in significantly improved traversability over soft sloped terrains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design and Control of Legged Robot)
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19 pages, 3574 KiB  
Review
Recent Tissue Engineering Approaches to Mimicking the Extracellular Matrix Structure for Skin Regeneration
by Rikako Hama, James W. Reinhardt, Anudari Ulziibayar, Tatsuya Watanabe, John Kelly and Toshiharu Shinoka
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010130 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4403
Abstract
Inducing tissue regeneration in many skin defects, such as large traumatic wounds, burns, other physicochemical wounds, bedsores, and chronic diabetic ulcers, has become an important clinical issue in recent years. Cultured cell sheets and scaffolds containing growth factors are already in use but [...] Read more.
Inducing tissue regeneration in many skin defects, such as large traumatic wounds, burns, other physicochemical wounds, bedsores, and chronic diabetic ulcers, has become an important clinical issue in recent years. Cultured cell sheets and scaffolds containing growth factors are already in use but have yet to restore normal skin tissue structure and function. Many tissue engineering materials that focus on the regeneration process of living tissues have been developed for the more versatile and rapid initiation of treatment. Since the discovery that cells recognize the chemical–physical properties of their surrounding environment, there has been a great deal of work on mimicking the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its three-dimensional network structure. Approaches have used ECM constituent proteins as well as morphological processing methods, such as fiber sheets, sponges, and meshes. This review summarizes material design strategies in tissue engineering fields, ranging from the morphology of existing dressings and ECM structures to cellular-level microstructure mimicry, and explores directions for future approaches to precision skin tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Platform for Tissue Regeneration 2.0)
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13 pages, 1614 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Microbiological Resistance of Polyfilament and Monofilament Suture Materials Used in the Operation “Tooth Extraction”
by Alexey A. Pcheliakov, Ekaterina Yu. Diachkova, Yuriy L. Vasil’ev, Oxana A. Svitich, Alexander V. Poddubikov, Stanislav A. Evlashin, Beatrice A. Volel, Anastasia A. Bakhmet, Svetlana V. Klochkova, Ellina V. Velichko, Natalia Tiunova and Svetlana V. Tarasenko
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010129 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
In surgical dentistry, suture material is the only foreign body that remains in the tissues after surgery, and it can lead to several negative reactions, for example, infection of the wound. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties and [...] Read more.
In surgical dentistry, suture material is the only foreign body that remains in the tissues after surgery, and it can lead to several negative reactions, for example, infection of the wound. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties and microbiological resistance of mono- and polyfilament suture materials used in tooth extraction operations. The study of elongation and knot force was carried out on an Instron 5969 Dual Column Testing System device. The capillarity of the materials was studied on a setup assembled by the authors manually by immersing the ends of the filaments in a colored manganese solution. A microbiological study was carried out on the threads taken for the experiment immediately after wound suturing, and on day 7, at which time they were removed. The comparison was made according to Rothia mucilaginosa, Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus epidermidis. Results: monofilament suture materials (Prolene and Glycolon), after calculating the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney indices, showed better performance in all experiments compared to polyfilament sutures (Vicryl and PGA). In capillarity comparison, there was a significant difference between groups (p = 0.00018). According to the sum of the results of three microbiological studies on day 7, monofilament suture materials absorbed less of the studied bacteria on their surface compared to the polyfilament ones (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Of the studied suture materials, Prolene had the best microbiological resistance and good mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mechanical Properties of Biomaterials)
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31 pages, 8843 KiB  
Review
Advances of Mussel-Inspired Nanocomposite Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications
by Haohua Ma, Xin Qiao and Lu Han
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010128 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2766
Abstract
Hydrogels, with 3D hydrophilic polymer networks and excellent biocompatibilities, have emerged as promising biomaterial candidates to mimic the structure and properties of biological tissues. The incorporation of nanomaterials into a hydrogel matrix can tailor the functions of the nanocomposite hydrogels to meet the [...] Read more.
Hydrogels, with 3D hydrophilic polymer networks and excellent biocompatibilities, have emerged as promising biomaterial candidates to mimic the structure and properties of biological tissues. The incorporation of nanomaterials into a hydrogel matrix can tailor the functions of the nanocomposite hydrogels to meet the requirements for different biomedical applications. However, most nanomaterials show poor dispersion in water, which limits their integration into the hydrophilic hydrogel network. Mussel-inspired chemistry provides a mild and biocompatible approach in material surface engineering due to the high reactivity and universal adhesive property of catechol groups. In order to attract more attention to mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels, and to promote the research work on mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels, we have reviewed the recent advances in the preparation of mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels using a variety of nanomaterials with different forms (nanoparticles, nanorods, nanofibers, nanosheets). We give an overview of each nanomaterial modified or hybridized by catechol or polyphenol groups based on mussel-inspired chemistry, and the performances of the nanocomposite hydrogel after the nanomaterial’s incorporation. We also highlight the use of each nanocomposite hydrogel for various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, bioelectronics, wearable/implantable biosensors, tumor therapy, and tissue repair. Finally, the challenges and future research direction in designing mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic and Bio-Inspired Surfaces and Interfaces: From Understandings to Applications)
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18 pages, 18974 KiB  
Article
A 3D-Printed Soft Haptic Device with Built-in Force Sensing Delivering Bio-Mimicked Feedback
by Rahim Mutlu, Dilpreet Singh, Charbel Tawk and Emre Sariyildiz
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010127 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3095
Abstract
Haptics plays a significant role not only in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders, such as stroke, by substituting necessary cognitive information but also in human–computer interfaces (HCIs), which are now an integral part of the recently launched metaverse. This study proposes a unique, [...] Read more.
Haptics plays a significant role not only in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders, such as stroke, by substituting necessary cognitive information but also in human–computer interfaces (HCIs), which are now an integral part of the recently launched metaverse. This study proposes a unique, soft, monolithic haptic feedback device (SoHapS) that was directly manufactured using a low-cost and open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer by employing a combination of soft conductive and nonconductive thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials (NinjaTek, USA). SoHapS consists of a soft bellow actuator and a soft resistive force sensor, which are optimized using finite element modeling (FEM). SoHapS was characterized both mechanically and electrically to assess its performance, and a dynamic model was developed to predict its force output with given pressure inputs. We demonstrated the efficacy of SoHapS in substituting biofeedback with tactile feedback, such as gripping force, and proprioceptive feedback, such as finger flexion–extension positions, in the context of teleoperation. With its intrinsic properties, SoHapS can be integrated into rehabilitation robots and robotic prostheses, as well as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR/VR/MR) systems, to induce various types of bio-mimicked feedback. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biorobotics)
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30 pages, 12779 KiB  
Article
A Spring Compensation Method for a Low-Cost Biped Robot Based on Whole Body Control
by Zhen Wang, Lei Kou, Wende Ke, Yuhan Chen, Yan Bai, Qingfeng Li and Dongxin Lu
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010126 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1595
Abstract
At present, the research and application of biped robots is more and more popular. The popularity of biped robots can be better promoted by improving the motion performance of low-cost biped robots. In this paper, the method of the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) [...] Read more.
At present, the research and application of biped robots is more and more popular. The popularity of biped robots can be better promoted by improving the motion performance of low-cost biped robots. In this paper, the method of the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) is used to track a robot’s center of mass (COM). At the same time, the whole-body-control method and value function generated in the process of tracking COM are used to construct the quadratic programming (QP) model of a biped robot. Through the above method, the torque feedforward of the robot is obtained in the Drake simulation platform. The torque feedforward information of the robot is transformed into position feedforward information by spring compensation. In this paper, open loop control and spring compensation are used, respectively, to make the robot perform simple actions. Generally, after the compensation method of spring compensation is adopted, the roll angle and pitch angle of the upper body of the robot are closer to 0 after the robot performs an action. However, as the selected motion can introduce more forward and lateral motions, the robot needs more spring clearance compensation to improve performance. For improving the motion performance of a low-cost biped robot, the experimental results show that the spring compensation method is both reasonable and effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biologically Inspired Robotics)
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21 pages, 1948 KiB  
Article
Conceptualization of Biomimicry in Engineering Context among Undergraduate and High School Students: An International Interdisciplinary Exploration
by Ibrahim H. Yeter, Valerie Si Qi Tan and Hortense Le Ferrand
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010125 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3555
Abstract
Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary design approach that provides solutions to engineering problems by taking inspiration from nature. Given the established importance of biomimicry for building a sustainable world, there is a need to develop effective curricula on this topic. In this study, a [...] Read more.
Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary design approach that provides solutions to engineering problems by taking inspiration from nature. Given the established importance of biomimicry for building a sustainable world, there is a need to develop effective curricula on this topic. In this study, a workshop was conducted twice in Singapore: once with 14 students from a local high school in Singapore, and once with 11 undergraduate students in engineering from the United States. The workshop aimed to better understand how students conceptualize biomimicry following the bottom-up and top-down biomimetic methods. The workshop contained a lecture and laboratory session, and data were collected via questionnaires, field observation, and participant presentations at the end of the laboratory session. A qualitative analysis revealed that the top-down biomimetic approach was initially understood using vague and generic terms. In contrast, the students described the bottom-up approach using precise and technical vocabulary. By naming the themes highlighting the students’ conceptualizations, it was concluded that strengthening the principle that makes the natural object unique and increasing interdisciplinary knowledge are needed to help them perform the top-down approach. The results from this work should be confirmed with a more significant number of participants, and they could help develop a curriculum to teach the two approaches effectively by providing tools to help the students generalize their ideas and abstract meaning from systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Design Method for Innovation and Sustainability)
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25 pages, 33950 KiB  
Article
Analysis of UAV Thermal Soaring via Hawk-Inspired Swarm Interaction
by Adam Pooley, Max Gao, Arushi Sharma, Sachi Barnaby, Yu Gu and Jason Gross
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010124 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1791
Abstract
A swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for many applications, including disaster relief, search and rescue, and establishing communication networks, due to its mobility, scalability, and robustness to failure. However, a UAV swarm’s performance is typically limited by each agent’s [...] Read more.
A swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for many applications, including disaster relief, search and rescue, and establishing communication networks, due to its mobility, scalability, and robustness to failure. However, a UAV swarm’s performance is typically limited by each agent’s stored energy. Recent works have considered the usage of thermals, or vertical updrafts of warm air, to address this issue. One challenge lies in a swarm of UAVs detecting and taking advantage of these thermals. Inspired by hawks, a swarm could take advantage of thermals better than individuals due to the swarm’s distributed sensing abilities. To determine which emergent behaviors increase survival time, simulation software was created to test the behavioral models of UAV gliders around thermals. For simplicity and robustness, agents operate with limited information about other agents. The UAVs’ motion was implemented as a Boids model, replicating the behavior of flocking birds through cohesion, separation, and alignment forces. Agents equipped with a modified behavioral model exhibit dynamic flocking behavior, including relative ascension-based cohesion and relative height-based separation and alignment. The simulation results show the agents flocking to thermals and improving swarm survival. These findings present a promising method to extend the flight time of autonomous UAV swarms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Behaviors and Control Strategies Empowering Swarm Intelligent Systems)
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13 pages, 5521 KiB  
Article
Influence of a Physiologically Formed Blood Clot on Pre-Osteoblastic Cells Grown on a BMP-7-Coated Nanoporous Titanium Surface
by Leonardo Raphael Zuardi, Cleide Lúcia Araújo Silva, Eduardo Magalhães Rego, Giovana Vacilotto Carneiro, Silvia Spriano, Antonio Nanci and Paulo Tambasco de Oliveira
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010123 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3087
Abstract
Titanium (Ti) nanotopography modulates the osteogenic response to exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) in vitro, supporting enhanced alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression and activity, as well as higher osteopontin (OPN) mRNA and protein levels. As the biological effects of OPN protein are modulated [...] Read more.
Titanium (Ti) nanotopography modulates the osteogenic response to exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) in vitro, supporting enhanced alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression and activity, as well as higher osteopontin (OPN) mRNA and protein levels. As the biological effects of OPN protein are modulated by its proteolytic cleavage by serum proteases, this in vitro study evaluated the effects on osteogenic cells in the presence of a physiological blood clot previously formed on a BMP-7-coated nanostructured Ti surface obtained by chemical etching (Nano-Ti). Pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured during 5 days on recombinant mouse (rm) BMP-7-coated Nano-Ti after it was implanted in adult female C57BI/6 mouse dorsal dermal tissue for 18 h. Nano-Ti without blood clot or with blood clot at time 0 were used as the controls. The presence of blood clots tended to inhibit the expression of key osteoblast markers, except for Opn, and rmBMP-7 functionalization resulted in a tendency towards relatively greater osteoblastic differentiation, which was corroborated by runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) amounts. Undetectable levels of OPN and phosphorylated suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 1/5/9 were noted in these groups, and the cleaved form of OPN was only detected in the blood clot immediately prior to cell plating. In conclusion, the strategy to mimic in vitro the initial interfacial in vivo events by forming a blood clot on a Ti nanoporous surface resulted in the inhibition of pre-osteoblastic differentiation, which was minimally reverted with an rmBMP-7 coating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Bone Regeneration: Challenges to Guarantee Appropriate Biological Features)
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21 pages, 8497 KiB  
Article
Living Plants Ecosystem Sensing: A Quantum Bridge between Thermodynamics and Bioelectricity
by Alessandro Chiolerio, Giuseppe Vitiello, Mohammad Mahdi Dehshibi and Andrew Adamatzky
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010122 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2381
Abstract
The in situ measurement of the bioelectric potential in xilematic and floematic superior plants reveals valuable insights into the biological activity of these organisms, including their responses to lunar and solar cycles and collective behaviour. This paper reports on the “Cyberforest Experiment” conducted [...] Read more.
The in situ measurement of the bioelectric potential in xilematic and floematic superior plants reveals valuable insights into the biological activity of these organisms, including their responses to lunar and solar cycles and collective behaviour. This paper reports on the “Cyberforest Experiment” conducted in the open-air Paneveggio forest in Valle di Fiemme, Trento, Italy, where spruce (i.e., Picea abies) is cultivated. Our analysis of the bioelectric potentials reveals a strong correlation between higher-order complexity measurements and thermodynamic entropy and suggests that bioelectrical signals can reflect the metabolic activity of plants. Additionally, temporal correlations of bioelectric signals from different trees may be precisely synchronized or may lag behind. These correlations are further explored through the lens of quantum field theory, suggesting that the forest can be viewed as a collective array of in-phase elements whose correlation is naturally tuned depending on the environmental conditions. These results provide compelling evidence for the potential of living plant ecosystems as environmental sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Bioinspired Sensorics, Information Processing and Control)
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60 pages, 7662 KiB  
Article
Green Anaconda Optimization: A New Bio-Inspired Metaheuristic Algorithm for Solving Optimization Problems
by Mohammad Dehghani, Pavel Trojovský and Om Parkash Malik
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010121 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2955
Abstract
A new metaheuristic algorithm called green anaconda optimization (GAO) which imitates the natural behavior of green anacondas has been designed. The fundamental inspiration for GAO is the mechanism of recognizing the position of the female species by the male species during the mating [...] Read more.
A new metaheuristic algorithm called green anaconda optimization (GAO) which imitates the natural behavior of green anacondas has been designed. The fundamental inspiration for GAO is the mechanism of recognizing the position of the female species by the male species during the mating season and the hunting strategy of green anacondas. GAO’s mathematical modeling is presented based on the simulation of these two strategies of green anacondas in two phases of exploration and exploitation. The effectiveness of the proposed GAO approach in solving optimization problems is evaluated on twenty-nine objective functions from the CEC 2017 test suite and the CEC 2019 test suite. The efficiency of GAO in providing solutions for optimization problems is compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The simulation results show that the proposed GAO approach has a high capability in exploration, exploitation, and creating a balance between them and performs better compared to competitor algorithms. In addition, the implementation of GAO on twenty-one optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite indicates the effective capability of the proposed approach in handling real-world applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Computing: Theories and Applications)
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12 pages, 4014 KiB  
Article
A Compact Two-Dimensional Varifocal Scanning Imaging Device Actuated by Artificial Muscle Material
by Yang Cheng, Chuanxun Chen, Lin Liu, Jie Cao, Yingying Xu and Qun Hao
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010120 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1440
Abstract
This paper presents a compact two-dimensional varifocal-scanning imaging device, with the capability of continuously variable focal length and a large scanning range, actuated by artificial muscle material. The varifocal function is realized by the principle of laterally shifting cubic phase masks and the [...] Read more.
This paper presents a compact two-dimensional varifocal-scanning imaging device, with the capability of continuously variable focal length and a large scanning range, actuated by artificial muscle material. The varifocal function is realized by the principle of laterally shifting cubic phase masks and the scanning function is achieved by the principle of the decentered lens. One remarkable feature of these two principles is that both are based on the lateral displacements perpendicular to the optical axis. Artificial muscle material is emerging as a good choice of soft actuators capable of high strain, high efficiency, fast response speed, and light weight. Inspired by the artificial muscle, the dielectric elastomer is used as an actuator and produces the lateral displacements of the Alvarez lenses and the decentered lenses. A two-dimensional varifocal scanning imaging device prototype was established and validated through experiments to verify the feasibility of the proposed varifocal-scanning device. The results showed that the focal length variation of the proposed varifocal scanning device is up to 4.65 times higher (31.6 mm/6.8 mm), and the maximum scanning angle was 26.4°. The rise and fall times were 110 ms and 185 ms, respectively. Such a varifocal scanning device studied here has the potential to be used in consumer electronics, endoscopy, and microscopy in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bionic Imaging and Optical Devices)
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17 pages, 5098 KiB  
Article
A Two-Step Approach to Overcoming Data Imbalance in the Development of an Electrocardiography Data Quality Assessment Algorithm: A Real-World Data Challenge
by Hyun Joo Kim, S. Jayakumar Venkat, Hyoung Woo Chang, Yang Hyun Cho, Jee Yang Lee and Kyunghee Koo
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010119 - 13 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1613
Abstract
Continuously acquired biosignals from patient monitors contain significant amounts of unusable data. During the development of a decision support system based on continuously acquired biosignals, we developed machine and deep learning algorithms to automatically classify the quality of ECG data. A total of [...] Read more.
Continuously acquired biosignals from patient monitors contain significant amounts of unusable data. During the development of a decision support system based on continuously acquired biosignals, we developed machine and deep learning algorithms to automatically classify the quality of ECG data. A total of 31,127 twenty-s ECG segments of 250 Hz were used as the training/validation dataset. Data quality was categorized into three classes: acceptable, unacceptable, and uncertain. In the training/validation dataset, 29,606 segments (95%) were in the acceptable class. Two one-step, three-class approaches and two two-step binary sequential approaches were developed using random forest (RF) and two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2D CNN) classifiers. Four approaches were tested on 9779 test samples from another hospital. On the test dataset, the two-step 2D CNN approach showed the best overall accuracy (0.85), and the one-step, three-class 2D CNN approach showed the worst overall accuracy (0.54). The most important parameter, precision in the acceptable class, was greater than 0.9 for all approaches, but recall in the acceptable class was better for the two-step approaches: one-step (0.77) vs. two-step RF (0.89) and one-step (0.51) vs. two-step 2D CNN (0.94) (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). For the ECG quality classification, where substantial data imbalance exists, the 2-step approaches showed more robust performance than the one-step approach. This algorithm can be used as a preprocessing step in artificial intelligence research using continuously acquired biosignals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Application of Big Data and Deep Learning in Engineering Analysis and Design)
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15 pages, 6327 KiB  
Article
Biomimetic Design of Turbine Blades for Ocean Current Power Generation
by Enrique Eduardo Hernández Montoya, Edgar Mendoza and Eize J. Stamhuis
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010118 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2486
Abstract
The enhancement of energy technology and innovation play a crucial role in order to meet the challenges related to global warming in the coming decades. Inspired by bird wings, the performance of a bio-inspired blade assembled to a marine turbine model, is examined. [...] Read more.
The enhancement of energy technology and innovation play a crucial role in order to meet the challenges related to global warming in the coming decades. Inspired by bird wings, the performance of a bio-inspired blade assembled to a marine turbine model, is examined. Following a biomimetic pathway, the aerodynamic performance of the bird wings of the species Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) was tested in a wind tunnel laboratory. Based on our results, we derived a bio-inspired blade model by following a laser scanning method. Lastly, the bio-inspired blades were assembled to a marine turbine model and tested in a large flow tank facility. We found efficiencies (Cp) up to 0.3 which is around 53% of the maximum power that can be expected from the turbine model according to the Betz approach. Our findings are analyzed in the discussion section as well as considerations for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Design Method for Innovation and Sustainability)
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19 pages, 13055 KiB  
Article
Owl-Neck-Spine-Inspired, Additively Manufactured, Joint Assemblies with Shape Memory Alloy Wire Actuators
by Robin Löffler, Stephan Tremmel and Rüdiger Hornfeck
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010117 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2142
Abstract
Nature provides a considerable number of good examples for simple and very efficient joint assemblies. One example is the enormously flexible cervical spine of American barn owls, which consists of 14 cervical vertebrae. Each pair of vertebrae produces a comparatively small individual movement [...] Read more.
Nature provides a considerable number of good examples for simple and very efficient joint assemblies. One example is the enormously flexible cervical spine of American barn owls, which consists of 14 cervical vertebrae. Each pair of vertebrae produces a comparatively small individual movement in order to provide a large overall movement of the entire cervical spine. The biomimetic replication of such joints is difficult due to the delicate and geometric unrestricted joint shapes as well as the muscles that have to be mimicked. Using X-ray as well as micro-computed tomography images and with the utilisation of additive manufacturing, it was possible to produce the owl neck vertebrae in scaled-up form, to analyse them and then to transfer them into technically usable joint assemblies. The muscle substitution of these joints was realised by smart materials actuators in the form of shape memory alloy wire actuators. This actuator technology is outstanding for its muscle-like movement and for its high-energy density. The disadvantage of this wire actuator technology is the low rate of contraction, which means that a large length of wire has to be installed to generate adequate movement. For this reason, the actuator wires were integrated into additively manufactured carrier components to mimic biological joints. This resulted in joint designs that compensate for the disadvantages of the small contraction of the actuators by intelligently installing large wire lengths on comparatively small installation spaces, while also providing a sufficient force output. With the help of a test rig, the developed technical joint variants are examined and evaluated. This demonstrated the technical applicability of this biomimetic joints. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Design Method for Innovation and Sustainability)
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11 pages, 2515 KiB  
Article
Bidirectional Underwater Drag Reduction on Bionic Flounder Two-Tier Structural Surfaces
by Xixing He, Yihe Liu, Haiyang Zhan, Yahua Liu, Lei Zhao and Shile Feng
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010116 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1655
Abstract
Engineering marvels found throughout the exclusive structural features of biological surfaces have given rise to the progressive development of skin friction drag reduction. However, despite many previous works reporting forward drag reduction where the bio-inspired surface features are aligned with the flow direction, [...] Read more.
Engineering marvels found throughout the exclusive structural features of biological surfaces have given rise to the progressive development of skin friction drag reduction. However, despite many previous works reporting forward drag reduction where the bio-inspired surface features are aligned with the flow direction, it is still challenging to achieve bidirectional drag reduction for non-morphable surface structures. Inspired by the flounder ctenoid scales characterized by tilted, millimeter-sized oval fins embedded with sub-millimeter spikes, we fabricate a bionic flounder two-tier structural surface (BFTSS) that can remarkably reduce the forward skin friction drag by ηdr = 19%. Even in the backwards direction, where the flow is completely against the tilting direction of surface structures, BFTSS still exhibits a considerable drag reduction of ηdr = 4.2%. Experiments and numerical simulations reveal that this unique bidirectional drag reduction is attributed to synergistic effects of the two-tier structures of BFTSS. The array of oval fins can distort the boundary layer flow and mitigate the viscous shear, whilst the microscale spikes act to promote the flow separation to relieve the pressure gradient in the viscous sublayer. Notably, the pressure gradient relief effect of microscale spikes remains invariant to the flow direction and is responsible for the backward drag reduction as well. The bidirectional drag reduction of BFTSS can be extensively applied in minimizing the energy consumption of ships and underwater vessels, as well as in pipeline transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Smart Metasurfaces: Sensation, Regulation, and Protection)
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16 pages, 4558 KiB  
Article
Facts to Consider in Developing Materials That Emulate the Upper Jawbone: A Microarchitecture Study Showing Unique Characteristics at Four Different Sites
by Ee Lian Lim, Wei Cheong Ngeow, Kathreena Kadir and Murali Naidu
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010115 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1277
Abstract
The maxilla is generally acknowledged as being more trabecular than the mandible. Allograft currently available for use in the maxillofacial region is harvested from the hip and long bones, irrespective of their local characteristics, and grafted onto the jawbones. Other alternative are autograft [...] Read more.
The maxilla is generally acknowledged as being more trabecular than the mandible. Allograft currently available for use in the maxillofacial region is harvested from the hip and long bones, irrespective of their local characteristics, and grafted onto the jawbones. Other alternative are autograft or commercially available bone substitutes. Due to their inherent differences, an in-depth understanding of the bone microarchitecture is important to develop the most compatible graft for use at the maxilla. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the microstructures of bone harvested from different sites of the maxilla, to be used for standard setting. Forty-nine specimens from seven human cadavers were harvested from the zygomatic buttress, anterior maxillary sinus wall, anterior nasal spine and anterior palate. Each bone block, measuring of 10 mm × 5 mm, was harvested using rotary instruments. Bone analysis was performed following micro-computed tomography to obtain trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and bone volume fraction (BV/TV). There were site-related differences, with BV/TV that ranged between 37.38% and 85.83%. The Tb.N was the lowest at the palate (1.12 (mm−1)) and highest at the anterior maxillary sinus wall (1.41 (mm−1)) region. The palate, however, had the highest trabecular separation value (Tb.Sp) at 0.47 mm. The TB.Th was the lowest at the anterior nasal spine (0.34 mm) but both the zygoma and anterior maxillary sinus regions shared the highest Tb.Th (0.44 mm). Except for having the lowest Th.Sp (0.35 mm), the anterior maxillary sinus wall consistently showed higher values together with the zygomatic buttress in all other parameters. Concurring with current clinical practice of harvesting autograft from the zygomatic buttress and anterior maxillary sinus wall, their bony characteristic serve as the microarchitecture standard to adopt when developing new bone graft materials for use in the maxilla. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Bone Regeneration: Challenges to Guarantee Appropriate Biological Features)
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15 pages, 1827 KiB  
Article
Online Running-Gait Generation for Bipedal Robots with Smooth State Switching and Accurate Speed Tracking
by Xiang Meng, Zhangguo Yu, Xuechao Chen, Zelin Huang, Chencheng Dong and Fei Meng
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010114 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1918
Abstract
Smooth state switching and accurate speed tracking are important for the stability and reactivity of bipedal robots when running. However, previous studies have rarely been able to synthesize these two capabilities online. In this paper, we present an online running-gait generator for bipedal [...] Read more.
Smooth state switching and accurate speed tracking are important for the stability and reactivity of bipedal robots when running. However, previous studies have rarely been able to synthesize these two capabilities online. In this paper, we present an online running-gait generator for bipedal robots that allows for smooth state switching and accurate speed tracking. Considering a fluctuating height nature and computational expediency, the robot is represented by a simplified variable-height inverted-pendulum (VHIP) model. In order to achieve smooth state switching at the beginning and end of running, a segmented zero moment point (ZMP) trajectory optimization is proposed to automatically provide a feasible and smooth center-of-mass (CoM) trajectory that enables the robot to stably start or stop running at the given speed. To accurately track online the desired speed during running, we propose an iterative algorithm to compute target footholds, which allows for the robot to follow the interactive desired speed after the next two steps. Lastly, a numerical experiment and the simulation of online variable speed running were performed with position-controlled bipedal robot BHR7P, and the results verified the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Control of a Bio-Inspired Robot)
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13 pages, 2585 KiB  
Article
An Investigation of the Fracture Loads Involved in the Framework of Removable Partial Dentures Using Two Types of All-Ceramic Restorations
by Fahad Hussain Alhamoudi, Lujain Ibrahim N. Aldosari, Abdulkhaliq Ali F. Alshadidi, Saeed Awod Bin Hassan, Maram Ali M. Alwadi, Sunil Kumar Vaddamanu, Marco Cicciù and Giuseppe Minervini
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010113 - 09 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1983
Abstract
Retention and support are needed for removable partial denture stability. The stability can be achieved by clasps, occlusal and cingulum rests on healthy abutment teeth. However, implants or crowns can be used to support the removable partial denture instated on unhealthy abutment teeth. [...] Read more.
Retention and support are needed for removable partial denture stability. The stability can be achieved by clasps, occlusal and cingulum rests on healthy abutment teeth. However, implants or crowns can be used to support the removable partial denture instated on unhealthy abutment teeth. This study was conducted to investigate the fracture strength of two types of all-ceramic restorations used as abutments for the removable partial denture framework. The crowns were manufactured with two types of ceramic materials: zirconia and IPS e.max Press ceramics. The metal alloy (cobalt-chrome) was cast to form the removable partial denture framework. A universal testing machine was used to evaluate the fracture strength of both ceramic crown materials. The results presented no fractures in all-ceramic crowns, but deformation of the partial denture frameworks occurred. With the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that zirconia and IPS e.max Press ceramic can be used as abutments to provide adequate support to the removable partial denture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Approach to Dental Implants)
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15 pages, 31986 KiB  
Article
Stability Control of Quadruped Robot Based on Active State Adjustment
by Sai Gu, Fei Meng, Botao Liu, Zhihao Zhang, Nengxiang Sun and Maosen Wang
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010112 - 09 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2305
Abstract
The quadruped robot has a strong motion performance and broad application prospects in practical applications. However, during the movement of the quadruped robot, it is easy to be affected by external disturbance and environmental changes, which makes it unable to achieve the ideal [...] Read more.
The quadruped robot has a strong motion performance and broad application prospects in practical applications. However, during the movement of the quadruped robot, it is easy to be affected by external disturbance and environmental changes, which makes it unable to achieve the ideal effect movement. Therefore, it is very important for the quadruped robot to adjust actively according to its own state detection. This paper proposes an active state adjustment control method based on its own state, which can realize disturbance recovery and active environment adaptation. Firstly, the controller is designed according to the physical model of the quadruped robot, and the foot forces are optimized using the quadratic program (QP) method. Then, the disturbance compensation method based on dynamic analysis is studied and combined with the controller itself. At the same time, according to the law of biological movement, the movement process of the quadruped robot is actively adjusted according to the different movement environment, so that it can adapt to various complex environments. Finally, it is verified in a simulation environment and quadruped robot prototype. The results show that the quadruped robot has a strong active disturbance recovery ability and active environment adaptability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design and Control of Legged Robot)
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12 pages, 24458 KiB  
Article
Exploration of the Design of Spiderweb-Inspired Structures for Vibration-Driven Sensing
by Mahdi Naderinejad, Kai Junge and Josie Hughes
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010111 - 08 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2607
Abstract
In the quest to develop large-area soft sensors, we can look to nature for many examples. Spiderwebs show many fascinating properties that we can seek to understand and replicate in order to develop large-area, soft, and deformable sensing structures. Spiders’ webs are used [...] Read more.
In the quest to develop large-area soft sensors, we can look to nature for many examples. Spiderwebs show many fascinating properties that we can seek to understand and replicate in order to develop large-area, soft, and deformable sensing structures. Spiders’ webs are used not only to capture prey, but also to localize their prey through the vibrations that they feel through their legs. Inspired by spiderwebs, we developed a large-area tactile sensor for localizing contact points through vibration sensing. We hypothesize that the structure of a web can be leveraged to amplify, filter, or otherwise morphologically tune vibrations to improve sensing capabilities. To explore this design space, we created a means of computationally designing and 3D printing web structures. By using vibration sensors mounted on the edges of webs to simulate a spider monitoring vibrations, we show how varying the structural properties affects the localization performance when using vibration sensors and long short-term memory (LSTM)-based neural network classifiers. We seek to explain the classification performance seen in different webs by considering various metrics of information content for different webs and, hence, provide insight into how bio-inspired spiderwebs can be used to assist large-area sensing structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biorobotics)
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29 pages, 4787 KiB  
Perspective
There’s Plenty of Room Right Here: Biological Systems as Evolved, Overloaded, Multi-Scale Machines
by Joshua Bongard and Michael Levin
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010110 - 08 Mar 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 8310
Abstract
The applicability of computational models to the biological world is an active topic of debate. We argue that a useful path forward results from abandoning hard boundaries between categories and adopting an observer-dependent, pragmatic view. Such a view dissolves the contingent dichotomies driven [...] Read more.
The applicability of computational models to the biological world is an active topic of debate. We argue that a useful path forward results from abandoning hard boundaries between categories and adopting an observer-dependent, pragmatic view. Such a view dissolves the contingent dichotomies driven by human cognitive biases (e.g., a tendency to oversimplify) and prior technological limitations in favor of a more continuous view, necessitated by the study of evolution, developmental biology, and intelligent machines. Form and function are tightly entwined in nature, and in some cases, in robotics as well. Thus, efforts to re-shape living systems for biomedical or bioengineering purposes require prediction and control of their function at multiple scales. This is challenging for many reasons, one of which is that living systems perform multiple functions in the same place at the same time. We refer to this as “polycomputing”—the ability of the same substrate to simultaneously compute different things, and make those computational results available to different observers. This ability is an important way in which living things are a kind of computer, but not the familiar, linear, deterministic kind; rather, living things are computers in the broad sense of their computational materials, as reported in the rapidly growing physical computing literature. We argue that an observer-centered framework for the computations performed by evolved and designed systems will improve the understanding of mesoscale events, as it has already done at quantum and relativistic scales. To develop our understanding of how life performs polycomputing, and how it can be convinced to alter one or more of those functions, we can first create technologies that polycompute and learn how to alter their functions. Here, we review examples of biological and technological polycomputing, and develop the idea that the overloading of different functions on the same hardware is an important design principle that helps to understand and build both evolved and designed systems. Learning to hack existing polycomputing substrates, as well as to evolve and design new ones, will have massive impacts on regenerative medicine, robotics, and computer engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Bioinspired Sensorics, Information Processing and Control)
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16 pages, 2750 KiB  
Review
Microbial Cells as a Microrobots: From Drug Delivery to Advanced Biosensors
by Pavel Gotovtsev
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010109 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2841
Abstract
The presented review focused on the microbial cell based system. This approach is based on the application of microorganisms as the main part of a robot that is responsible for the motility, cargo shipping, and in some cases, the production of useful chemicals. [...] Read more.
The presented review focused on the microbial cell based system. This approach is based on the application of microorganisms as the main part of a robot that is responsible for the motility, cargo shipping, and in some cases, the production of useful chemicals. Living cells in such microrobots have both advantages and disadvantages. Regarding the advantages, it is necessary to mention the motility of cells, which can be natural chemotaxis or phototaxis, depending on the organism. There are approaches to make cells magnetotactic by adding nanoparticles to their surface. Today, the results of the development of such microrobots have been widely discussed. It has been shown that there is a possibility of combining different types of taxis to enhance the control level of the microrobots based on the microorganisms’ cells and the efficiency of the solving task. Another advantage is the possibility of applying the whole potential of synthetic biology to make the behavior of the cells more controllable and complex. Biosynthesis of the cargo, advanced sensing, on/off switches, and other promising approaches are discussed within the context of the application for the microrobots. Thus, a synthetic biology application offers significant perspectives on microbial cell based microrobot development. Disadvantages that follow from the nature of microbial cells such as the number of external factors influence the cells, potential immune reaction, etc. They provide several limitations in the application, but do not decrease the bright perspectives of microrobots based on the cells of the microorganisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biorobotics)
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15 pages, 5916 KiB  
Article
3D Electrospun Polycaprolactone Scaffolds to Assess Human Periodontal Ligament Cells Mechanobiological Behaviour
by Rémy Gauthier, Nina Attik, Charlène Chevalier, Vincent Salles, Brigitte Grosgogeat, Kerstin Gritsch and Ana-Maria Trunfio-Sfarghiu
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010108 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1698
Abstract
While periodontal ligament cells are sensitive to their 3D biomechanical environment, only a few 3D in vitro models have been used to investigate the periodontal cells mechanobiological behavior. The objective of the current study was to assess the capability of a 3D fibrous [...] Read more.
While periodontal ligament cells are sensitive to their 3D biomechanical environment, only a few 3D in vitro models have been used to investigate the periodontal cells mechanobiological behavior. The objective of the current study was to assess the capability of a 3D fibrous scaffold to transmit a mechanical loading to the periodontal ligament cells. Three-dimensional fibrous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were synthetized through electrospinning. Scaffolds seeded with human periodontal cells (103 mL−1) were subjected to static (n = 9) or to a sinusoidal axial compressive loading in an in-house bioreactor (n = 9). At the end of the culture, the dynamic loading seemed to have an influence on the cells’ morphology, with a lower number of visible cells on the scaffolds surface and a lower expression of actin filament. Furthermore, the dynamic loading presented a tendency to decrease the Alkaline Phosphatase activity and the production of Interleukin-6 while these two biomolecular markers were increased after 21 days of static culture. Together, these results showed that load transmission is occurring in the 3D electrospun PCL fibrous scaffolds, suggesting that it can be used to better understand the periodontal ligament cells mechanobiology. The current study shows a relevant way to investigate periodontal mechanobiology using 3D fibrous scaffolds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Scaffolds for Hard Tissue Surgery)
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29 pages, 1652 KiB  
Review
Biomimicry in Architecture: A Review of Definitions, Case Studies, and Design Methods
by Nathalie Verbrugghe, Eleonora Rubinacci and Ahmed Z. Khan
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010107 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 13152
Abstract
Biomimicry, as a field of science, is mainly defined as a solution for design problems inspired by natural models, systems, and elements. For the built environment, using nature as a guide can enhance sustainability or even go beyond that and generate a regenerative [...] Read more.
Biomimicry, as a field of science, is mainly defined as a solution for design problems inspired by natural models, systems, and elements. For the built environment, using nature as a guide can enhance sustainability or even go beyond that and generate a regenerative approach. This is important in the building sector to evolve towards a sustainable and circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions in terms of energy-use. While several biomimicry-related keywords exist, scholars and practitioners in architecture have given varying interpretations to the term biomimicry depending on the use and goal. There has been increasing interest in biomimicry in architecture (BIA), yet the field has become more fragmented. This study aims to highlight differences and similarities through an extended literature survey and analysis that explores case studies, classification systems, and methodological frameworks related to biomimicry in architecture as a way to contribute to reduce the fragmentation in the field. To provide the necessary context and avoid confusion regarding the many concepts and terms that refer to nature-based design, biomimicry-related keywords and interpretations of the word biomimicry are first clarified. Ultimately, the discussion is an integrative effort at defining the field, and highlights the significance and impact of employing BIA in terms of sustainability and usability, as well as showcasing the opportunities for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bioinspired Architecture and Climatisation)
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12 pages, 5744 KiB  
Case Report
Guided Bone Regeneration with Occlusive Titanium Barrier: A Case Report and Clinical Considerations
by Lucio Milillo and Massimo Petruzzi
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010106 - 06 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1465
Abstract
The need to obtain adequate bone volumes for prosthetic rehabilitation supported by implants, using different techniques and materials, represents an urgent need in modern dentistry. We report a case regarding the management of implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of the first and second upper right molars, [...] Read more.
The need to obtain adequate bone volumes for prosthetic rehabilitation supported by implants, using different techniques and materials, represents an urgent need in modern dentistry. We report a case regarding the management of implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of the first and second upper right molars, in which no less than 4 mm of crestal bone remained to insert two implants. Regeneration of the residual bone was previously performed using a customized titanium barrier and a filler of a blood clot with tricalcium beta phosphate. The bone gain (3 mm) was evaluated by comparing CBCT images, while the implant stability (mean 70) was assessed with the ISQ measurement. A regenerated bone sample was taken for histological analysis. Guided bone regeneration obtained with a titanium barrier and blood clot allowed for the insertion of stable implants in a mature bone without heterologous material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Bone Regeneration: Challenges to Guarantee Appropriate Biological Features)
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12 pages, 3915 KiB  
Article
Gait Generation Method of Snake Robot Based on Main Characteristic Curve Fitting
by Chaoquan Tang, Lulu Sun, Gongbo Zhou, Xin Shu, Hongwei Tang and Hao Wu
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010105 - 06 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1682
Abstract
Gait generation method is one of the important contents of snake robot motion control. Different gait generation methods produce completely different forms of control functions, so snake robots need more complicated programming logic and processes to realize various gaits and their transformation. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Gait generation method is one of the important contents of snake robot motion control. Different gait generation methods produce completely different forms of control functions, so snake robots need more complicated programming logic and processes to realize various gaits and their transformation. Therefore, we propose a new unified expression of gait method, The MCC (main characteristics control) method simplifies and unifies the control functions of different snake robots gaits by extracting the main features of the backbone curves of snake robots gaits. Since all periodic curves that meet the Dirichlet conditions can be formed by superposition of sinusoidal curves, taking the “lowest frequency” part that reflects the main characteristics of the curve as the target configuration can simplify the motion control function of snake robots’ gaits. Based on the MCC method, some snake robot gaits are reconstructed, including serpentine gait, rolling gait, helix rolling gait, and crawler gait. In addition, based on MCC method, an AEH-sidewinding gait control method is proposed. The backbone of the AEH-sidewinding gait is closer to the ideal elliptic helix, thus improving the accuracy of its kinematics modeling of snake robot sidewinding gait. Finally, the validity of this gait is verified by experiments. This unified gait expression of snake robots will be helpful to realize smooth gait switching between different gaits of snake robots. Full article
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15 pages, 4988 KiB  
Article
Charge Redistribution of Co9S8/MoS2 Heterojunction Microsphere Enhances Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
by Lili Zhang, Jitang Zhang, Aijiao Xu, Zhiping Lin, Zongpeng Wang, Wenwu Zhong, Shijie Shen and Guangfeng Wu
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010104 - 05 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of transition metal sulfide heterojunctions are significantly increased when compared with that of a single component, but the mechanism behind the performance enhancement and the preparation of catalysts with specific morphologies still need to be explored. Here, we [...] Read more.
The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of transition metal sulfide heterojunctions are significantly increased when compared with that of a single component, but the mechanism behind the performance enhancement and the preparation of catalysts with specific morphologies still need to be explored. Here, we prepared a Co9S8/MoS2 heterojunction with microsphere morphology consisting of thin nanosheets using a facile two-step method. There is electron transfer between the Co9S8 and MoS2 of the heterojunction, thus realizing the redistribution of charge. After the formation of the heterojunction, the density of states near the Fermi surface increases, the d-band center of the transition metal moves downward, and the adsorption of both water molecules and hydrogen by the catalyst are optimized. As a result, the overpotential of Co9S8/MoS2 is superior to that of most relevant electrocatalysts reported in the literature. This work provides insight into the synergistic mechanisms of heterojunctions and their morphological regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bionic Engineering for Boosting Multidisciplinary Integration)
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11 pages, 2583 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Behavior of Bamboo-Like Structures under Transversal Compressive Loading
by Siyi Wang, Jiayang Wang and Kyriakos Komvopoulos
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010103 - 05 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
Inspired by many biological structures in nature, biomimetic structures demonstrate significantly better mechanical performance than traditional engineering structures. The exceptional mechanical properties of natural materials are attributed to the hierarchical architecture of their structure. Consequently, the implementation of biomimetic structures in the design [...] Read more.
Inspired by many biological structures in nature, biomimetic structures demonstrate significantly better mechanical performance than traditional engineering structures. The exceptional mechanical properties of natural materials are attributed to the hierarchical architecture of their structure. Consequently, the implementation of biomimetic structures in the design of lightweight structures with tailored mechanical properties has been constantly increasing in many fields of science and engineering. The bamboo structure is of particular interest because it combines a light weight and excellent mechanical properties, often surpassing those of several engineering materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior of bamboo-inspired structures subjected to transversal compressive loading. Structures consisting of bamboo-like thin-walled hexagonal building blocks (unit cells) with different dimensions were fabricated by stereolithography 3D printing and their mechanical performance was evaluated by mechanical testing, high-speed camera video recordings, and finite element simulations. The results of the elastic modulus, yield strength, and strain energy density at fracture were interpreted in terms of characteristic dimensions of the unit cell structure. The failure process was elucidated in the light of images of the fractured structures and simulation strain maps. The results of this study demonstrate that ultralight bamboo-like structures with specific mechanical characteristics can be produced by optimizing the dimensions and number density of the hexagonal unit cell. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mechanical Properties of Biomaterials)
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10 pages, 1452 KiB  
Editorial
Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 3
by Ille C. Gebeshuber
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010102 - 03 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4942
Abstract
Biomimetic nanotechnology pertains to the fundamental elements of living systems and the translation of their properties into human applications. The underlying functionalities of biological materials, structures and processes are primarily rooted in the nanoscale domain, serving as a source of inspiration for materials [...] Read more.
Biomimetic nanotechnology pertains to the fundamental elements of living systems and the translation of their properties into human applications. The underlying functionalities of biological materials, structures and processes are primarily rooted in the nanoscale domain, serving as a source of inspiration for materials science, medicine, physics, sensor technologies, smart materials science and other interdisciplinary fields. The Biomimetics Special Issues Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vols. 1–3 feature a collection of research and review articles contributed by experts in the field, delving into significant realms of biomimetic nanotechnology. This publication, Vol. 3, comprises four research articles and one review article, which offer valuable insights and inspiration for innovative approaches inspired by Nature’s living systems. The spectrum of the articles is wide and deep and ranges from genetics, traditional medicine, origami, fungi and quartz to green synthesis of nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 3)
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