MMEAW: Modelling the MEchanics of Animal Whiskers

MMEAW：动物胡须力学建模

基本信息

批准号：
EP/P030203/1
负责人：
Victor Goss
金额：
$ 58.7万
依托单位：
London South Bank University
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2017
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2017 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FP030203%2F1
关键词：
MMEAW Modelling MEchanics Animal Whiskers

项目摘要

MMEAW is a multidisciplinary project, lying at the interface between structural engineering, robotics and comparative animal physiology. It aims to extend our understanding and knowledge of how whiskers are adapted to their function and apply that understanding to applications in engineering. MMEAW builds on previous research in this field, for example the EPSRC funded Whiskerbot project (EPSRC ref: GR/S19639/01). The aims of MMEAW are as follows:1) Understanding how animals exploit a range of whisker morphological parameters such as taper, curvature, twist, stiffness, anisotropy and weight, to their advantage.2) Determining critical values of taper, twist, curvature and relationships between them e.g., ratio of weight to length (curliness), which lead to qualitative change in vibrissae mechanics. Thereby identify criteria for optimal performance.3) Establishing a rational scheme for classifying vibrissae.MMEAW involves two key activities. First, by taking measurements of the shape and form of animal whiskers, it will build a data base of detailed information on whisker morphologies. Working with museums, we shall gather data on a range of species - from small rodents, to large mammals and to birds. The information we are interested in includes details of the length, curvature, taper, weight, tortuosity (i.e., out of plane curvature), and cross sectional properties, such as shape, diameter and stiffness. We also want to know details of how and where each whisker connects to the animal's face, including the angle and orientation of the whisker. All that information will be stored in a data base. Since no such data base exists anywhere, it will be made available to museums internationally, where it can be aggrandized. The process of gathering data on vibrissae will last one year.The second major activity involves the formulation of mathematical models, using the data gathered on vibrissae shape and form, and applying mechanics principles to analyse what happens to a whisker when its tip is disturbed e.g., when it brushes against different surfaces, is pressed in by a force, passes through a liquid (otters and seals) and undergoes the 'whisking motions' observed in some species (rats). MMEAW will use advanced modelling methods, based on the Cosserat Theory of rods, i.e., a rigorous mathematical theory of long slender structures. That approach will enable MMEAW to model the effects of different curvatures, tapers, tortuosity etc., within a unified and rational scheme, one that provides detailed information on the loads transmitted from the tip of the whisker to the base. The modelling and analysis will be complemented by field work (observations of animals) carried out by a member of the team with extensive specialist experience. Indeed, MMEAW involves the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team with strong track records in elastic rod theory, engineering and animal comparative physiology.By formulating a well posed mathematical problem, MMEAW will be able to identify optimal conditions for vibrissae and extend the analysis to embrace extreme loadings and deflections, thereby offering a global perspective on how different vibrissae morphologies affect performance. That information can be used by robotics engineers and structural engineers to implement optimal designs for flexible robotic arms and antennae, indeed it carries across to any engineer developing technology that involves long slender flexible structures; whether a robot arm, a building structure (beam, column, strut), a cable buoy system, a space tether, or a medical stent.

MMEAW 是一个多学科项目，位于结构工程、机器人学和比较动物生理学之间。它的目的是扩展我们对晶须如何适应其功能的理解和知识，并将这种理解应用于工程应用。 MMEAW 建立在该领域之前的研究基础上，例如 EPSRC 资助的 Whiskerbot 项目（EPSRC 参考号：GR/S19639/01）。 MMEAW 的目标如下：1) 了解动物如何利用一系列胡须形态参数（例如锥度、曲率、扭曲、刚度、各向异性和重量）来发挥其优势。2) 确定锥度、扭曲、曲率和重量的临界值它们之间的关系，例如重量与长度的比率（卷曲度），这会导致触须力学发生质的变化。从而确定最佳性能的标准。3）建立合理的触须分类方案。MMEAW 涉及两个关键活动。首先，通过测量动物胡须的形状和形态，建立胡须形态详细信息的数据库。我们将与博物馆合作，收集一系列物种的数据——从小型啮齿动物到大型哺乳动物和鸟类。我们感兴趣的信息包括长度、曲率、锥度、重量、弯曲度（即平面外曲率）和横截面属性（例如形状、直径和刚度）的详细信息。我们还想知道每根胡须如何以及在哪里连接到动物面部的细节，包括胡须的角度和方向。所有这些信息都将存储在数据库中。由于任何地方都不存在这样的数据库，因此将向国际博物馆提供该数据库，以便对其进行扩充。收集触须数据的过程将持续一年。第二项主要活动涉及数学模型的制定，使用收集到的触须形状和形式的数据，并应用力学原理来分析当触须的尖端受到干扰时，例如触须会发生什么。当它刷过不同的表面时，被力压入，穿过液体（水獭和海豹）并经历在某些物种（老鼠）中观察到的“拂动运动”。 MMEAW 将使用基于 Cosserat 杆理论（即细长结构的严格数学理论）的先进建模方法。该方法将使 MMEAW 能够在统一且合理的方案中对不同曲率、锥度、弯曲度等的影响进行建模，该方案提供从晶须尖端传递到底部的载荷的详细信息。建模和分析将得到由具有丰富专业经验的团队成员进行的实地工作（动物观察）的补充。事实上，MMEAW 涉及一个多学科团队的合作，该团队在弹性杆理论、工程学和动物比较生理学方面拥有丰富的记录。通过制定一个提出良好的数学问题，MMEAW 将能够确定触须的最佳条件并将分析扩展到极端情况。载荷和偏转，从而提供不同触须形态如何影响性能的全局视角。机器人工程师和结构工程师可以使用这些信息来实现柔性机器人手臂和天线的最佳设计，事实上，它适用于任何开发涉及细长柔性结构的技术的工程师；无论是机器人手臂、建筑结构（梁、柱、支柱）、电缆浮标系统、空间系绳还是医用支架。