Elytra coupling of the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata functions as an energy absorber in intentional falls. (31st August 2021)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Elytra coupling of the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata functions as an energy absorber in intentional falls. (31st August 2021)
- Main Title:
- Elytra coupling of the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata functions as an energy absorber in intentional falls
- Authors:
- Zhang, Jie
Yuan, Qiufeng
Jiang, Yiling
Pang, Hong
Rajabi, Hamed
Wu, Zhigang
Wu, Jianing - Abstract:
- Abstract: Some insects, such as bees, wasps, and bugs, have specialized coupling structures to synchronize the wing motions in flight. Some others, such as ladybirds, are equipped with coupling structures that work only at rest. By locking elytra into each other, such structures provide hindwings with a protective cover to prevent contamination. Here, we show that the coupling may play another significant role: contributing to energy absorption in falls, thereby protecting the abdomen against mechanical damage. In this combined experimental, numerical and theoretical study, we investigated free falls of ladybirds ( Coccinella septempunctata ), and discovered that upon collision to the ground, the coupling may fail and the elytra may unlock. This unlocking of the coupling increased the energy absorption by 33%, in comparison to when the elytra remain coupled. Using micro-computed tomography scanning, we developed comparative models that enabled us to simulate impact scenarios numerically. Our results showed that unlocking of the coupling, here called elytra splitting, reduces both the peak impact force and rebound velocity. We fabricated the insect-inspired coupling mechanism using 3D printing and demonstrated its application as a damage preventing on system for quadcopters in accidental collisions.
- Is Part Of:
- Bioinspiration & biomimetics. Volume 16:Number 5(2021)
- Journal:
- Bioinspiration & biomimetics
- Issue:
- Volume 16:Number 5(2021)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 16, Issue 5 (2021)
- Year:
- 2021
- Volume:
- 16
- Issue:
- 5
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2021-0016-0005-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2021-08-31
- Subjects:
- ladybird -- elytra coupling -- landing -- energy absorption
Biomimetics -- Periodicals
Biomedical materials -- Periodicals
Medical innovations -- Periodicals
Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals
600 - Journal URLs:
- http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-3190/ ↗
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-3190 ↗
http://ioppublishing.org/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1088/1748-3190/ac1cef ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 1748-3182
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library STI - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 18493.xml