Bionic Method Research Articles

Structure bionic design method oriented to integration of biological advantages

Structure bionic optimization design is one kind of important lightweight design method. There are many high-specific-stiffness load-bearing topology structures in nature, whose mechanical properties and load-bearing mechanisms are quite different. These efficient load-bearing structures in nature provide important inspirations for structural bionic design. However, space topology structure of biology corresponds to its specific environment, which is more suitable for the specific load-bearing case. How to realize the complementary integration of biological advantages is an important problem in bionics research, which has not been solved effectively. Based on mapping inversion relationship (RMI) method and the matter-element (ME) theory, the structure bionic design method oriented to the integration of biological advantages is proposed. The proposed method applies the extensibility matter-element in an interdisciplinary way to solve this problem innovatively and effectively. Instead of random or wild mental stimulation, the proposed method formalizes the problem-solution for the integration of biological advantages. An example is used to show the concrete implementation process based on this method, and the results show the effectiveness of this proposed method. The proposed method could be extended to other bionic studies about biological advantages integration in further research.

Functional and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Wild and Insect-Cultured Cordyceps Cicadae Polysaccharides

Cordyceps cicadae is an entomogenous fungus, which is used as both medicine and food due to the presence of rich bioactive substances. Currently, most studies focus on the pharmacological effects of the bioactive components of C. cicadae, but the research on their processing is still in its infancy. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from insect-cultivated C. cicadae (tussah pupae C. cicadae and domestic silkworm pupae C. cicadae) and wild C. cicadae. The functional properties of C. cicadae polysaccharides were evaluated. At the same time, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the insect-cultivated C. cicadae was determined and compared with the wild C. cicadae. The results showed that the cultivated C. cicadae polysaccharides and the wild one had similar structures, and both had appreciable water solubility, oilholding capacity, thermal stability, and emulsifying property compared to foaming property and foaming stability. Further, the C. cicadae polysaccharides cultured on silkworm pupae and tussah pupae showed comparable antioxidant and reducing power to the wild C. cicadae. Our data indicates that the C. cicadae polysaccharides have the potential as a food additive, among which the domestic silkworm pupae C. cicadae showed the best outcome, and the C. cicadae polysaccharides cultured by bionic method have the same antioxidant activity as the wild one.

Research Progress of Path Planning Methods for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Path planning is a key technology for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation. With the emphasis and research on AUV, AUV path planning technology is continuously developing. Path planning techniques generally include environment modelling methods and path planning algorithms. Based on a brief description of the environment modelling methods, this paper focuses on the path planning algorithms commonly used by AUV. According to the basic principles of the algorithm, the AUV path planning algorithms are divided into four categories: artificial potential field methods, geometric model search methods, random sampling methods, and intelligent bionic methods. In this review, we summarize in detail the development and application of various path planning algorithms in recent years. Meanwhile, we analyse the advantages and disadvantages of various algorithms and their improvement methods. Obstacles, ocean currents, and undersea terrain have an impact on AUV path planning. Therefore, how to deal with the complex underwater environment adds some limits to AUV path planning algorithms. In addition to the external environment, path planning algorithms also need to consider AUV’s physical constraints, such as energy constraints and motion constraints. Then, we analyse the motion constraints in AUV path planning. Finally, we discuss the development direction of AUV path planning algorithm. Time-varying ocean currents, special obstacles, multiobjective constraints, and practicability will be the problems that AUV path planning algorithms need to solve.

Design of convex‐hull bionic tire tread compounds and mechanism on collaborative improvement of wet resistance and wear resistance

AbstractThe materials or bionic methods available cannot further solve the contradiction between the wear resistance and wet resistance of tire tread compounds. In this study, a convex‐hull bionic tire tread compound was designed and produced according to the difference in wear resistance between two types of tire tread compounds. The effects of the bionic structure on the wear resistance and wet resistance of the tire tread compounds were explored by analyzing the changes in wear loss, wear surface characteristics, and wet friction coefficient. The wear resistance and wet resistance of the convex‐hull bionic tire tread compound were collaboratively improved. The largest increasing rate of wear resistance was 9%, and the largest increasing rates of wet sliding ability on sand paper surface and on smooth glass surface were 3.4% and 4.2%, respectively. The coupling design of materials and bionic structures offers a new way to improve the overall performances of tire tread compounds.

Bionic Method for Controlling Robotic Mechanisms during Search and Rescue Operations

Bionic Method for Controlling Robotic Mechanisms during Search and Rescue Operations

Bionic Drag Reduction for Box Girders Based on Ostracion cubicus

With the development trend of large-scale and flexible structures in engineering, the research on drag reduction of structures becomes more urgent. This paper presents a drag reduction design method for box girders based on the bionic method. Through the analysis of the Ostracion cubicus body shape, three features of the “fish mouth”, which were helpful for drag reduction were extracted. Then the bionic design model with the height of the box girder (D) as the design variable was obtained. By attaching lightweight materials to the windward side, the bionic shape of the structure can be realized without changing the loading characteristics of the original structure. Taking a box girder (rectangular cylinder, side ratio B/D = 0.6) as a prototype, the flow around two structures (rectangular cylinder and bionic attachment cylinder) was numerically simulated. The results show that the drag coefficient of the bionic attachment structure is reduced by 66.5%. The reduction of wind-load means that this method can save energy consumption of the equipment. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic parameter oscillation of the structure is weakened, which represents that the bionic attachment structure can effectively reduce the wind-induced vibration on the structure and improve the stability of the structure in the wind field.

Experimental study on the crashworthiness of bio-inspired aluminum foam-filled tubes under axial compression loading

As a lightweight and efficient energy-absorbing structure, thin-walled filled structure is widely used in various fields. This paper proposed four types of bio-inspired foam-filled thin-walled structures based on two typical straw structures (Cornstalk and Reed): bionic foam core with a central hole, 4 square holes, 4 taper holes and 2 nodes, respectively. The energy absorption capacity and deformation mode of bionic structures were studied by dynamic drop hammer and quasi-static compression. The results showed that 9 of 12 bionic samples had higher energy absorption capacity than the corresponding fully-filled samples. Different bionic features have different effects on the deformation of thin-walled tube, and the bionic features with the best overall performance are the 4 Square Holes and 4 Taper Holes design. It is noted that the bionic method can improve energy absorption capacity and affect the deformation mode of the thin-walled tubes under certain conditions.

Ultrafine Re/Pd nanoparticles on polydopamine modified carbon nanotubes for efficient perchlorate reduction and reusability

This study synthesized nanocomposite catalysts via a modification of Re/Pd codoped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different concentrations of polydopamine (PDA), which were used for perchlorate (ClO4−) reduction. The loads, dispersion and reducibility of Re/Pd nanoparticles increased yet their particle sizes significantly decreased with the increase of PDA concentrations. The average diameter of Re/Pd codoped D2CNT (CNT modified by 2 mg/mL PDA) with a narrow size distribution was measured to be 2 nm. The ultrafine Re/Pd codoped D2CNT catalysts represented outstanding catalytic reduction activity for the conversion of ClO4− to Cl− with TOF of 17.34 h−1 under the room H2 atmospheric pressure, which was about 8 times than that of the unmodified catalysts. Furthermore, PDA modification minimized the dissociation of Re by chemical bonding between Re and CNTs carrier and maintained good stability of nanocomposite. This study inspires us to apply green bionic methods to enhance the catalytic reduction of perchlorate by changing the physical properties of Re/Pd nanoparticles.

Design of bionic locust mouthparts stubble cutting device.

Given the technical problems of low maize stubble breaking efficiency, large cutting torque and high power consumption faced during springtime no-till planting in Northeast China, we designed a high-performance coupling bionic stubble cutting device capable by integrating the structure (multi-segment and serrate) and cutting mode (isokinetic and symmetrical) of locust mouthparts. Methods of bionic construction, mechanism design, theoretical analysis, parameter optimization, Arduino systems and intelligent control were combined to design a planetary gear mechanism and an intelligent speed control system. In particular, the bionic cutting blade could reconstruct the multi-segment and serrate structure of locust mouthparts, while the planetary gear mechanism and the intelligent speed control system jointly comprised the bionic drive system, which could simulate the isokinetic and symmetrical cutting mode, thereby bionically coupling morphological structures and movement patterns. Analysis of comparative tests showed the coupling bionic cutting device could reduce the cutting torque by 26.6%-31.6% and the power consumption by 21.9%-26.1%. This work confirmed that coupling bionic method can significantly improve the stubble cutting efficiency, which was a valuable contribution to the design of stubble cutting device for no-till planter. Keywords: bionics, locust mouthparts, cutting device, corn stubble DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201301.5031 Citation: Zhao J L, Guo M Z, Lu Y, Huang D Y, Zhuang J. Design of bionic locust mouthparts stubble cutting device. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(1): 20–28.

The Analysis of Key Technologies for Sustainable Machine Tools Design

Machine tools as indispensable tools for manufacturing products are typical high-energy, high-carbon manufacturing systems due to their larger mass, longer life cycles and huge resources and energy consumption. The current research trend of sustainable machine tools aims to reduce cost, energy consumption and increase sustainability without compromising their functionality, usability, productivity, accuracy, etc. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews about what are the key technologies for sustainable machine tools design. Thus, a comprehensive literature review of machine tool design for sustainability is needed in order to make clear how to design and evaluate sustainable machine tools from the viewpoint of life cycle sustainability analysis. The aim of this paper is to review the sustainable design and assessment aspects of machine tool design from partial goals to integrated aims according to whole sustainability dimensions such as the environment, economy and society, as well as involving key techniques in different life cycle stages. Recent research and study on improving directly or indirectly sustainability performance of machine tools according to focus points could be summarized as: design optimization of components such as lightweight using topology and bionic methods; structure design with modular design and layout; reducing cutting fluids and lubricant oil by employing minimum quantity lubrication, dry and cryogenic machining; reducing energy consumption; waste reduction by reusing, remanufacturing and recycling; sustainability assessment i.e., energy model, life cycle cost and life cycle social benefit. This paper assists designers and manufacturers to improve sustainability of machine tools by specific optimization measures in their activities.

A Composite Fabric-Based Soft Rehabilitation Glove With Soft Joint for Dementia in Parkinson's Disease.

A kind of wearable exoskeleton soft rehabilitation glove is proposed for the dementia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with loss of hand function, limited range of motion, and insufficient finger muscle strength to carry out rehabilitation exercise training in a passive or auxiliary way. A novel soft joint structure based on composite fabric material is introduced for the design of the soft glove with bionic method, and experiments are conducted to verify the effeteness of the proposed soft rehabilitation glove. The test results showed that when the fluid pressure was 0.42 MPa, the joint angle of MCP, PIP and DIP could be up to 81°, 98°, 72°, and produce output torque of 1.18Nm, 1.44Nm and 1.82Nm respectively, which meets the requirements of the hand rehabilitation. A dynamic rehabilitation-training test of the rehabilitation glove was also carried out, and the results showed that the movement frequency of soft fingers could reach 30 times/min, which is sufficient for repetitive flexion/extension exercise. In order to verify the grasping characteristics of the soft glove for irregular objects, experiments were carried out. The experimental results showed that the bionic soft glove was dexterous in grasping, which conforms to the universal grasping characteristics of human hands, has the function of assisting daily life (ADL), and meets the requirements of rehabilitation.

Analysis of the Wear-Resistance Characteristics of Bionic Ridge Structures

HighlightsBionic technology can be applied to resolve agricultural engineering problems.Pangolin Squama and Chlamys Farreri shells possess excellent wear-resistance.Bionic ridges can improve sample wear-resistance.Abstract. Consistent soil contact rapidly wears the soil-engaging components of agricultural machinery, such as ploughs and subsoilers. A bionic method was applied to their structural design to improve component wear resistance. Some animal organs possess excellent wear-resistant structures which can provide design inspiration for improving the wear-resistance of agricultural mechanical parts. Previous research found that many ridges exist on Pangolin squama and Chlamys Farreri shell surfaces. Those ridges cause Pangolin squama and Chlamys Farreri shells to exhibit excellent wear-resistance. Therefore, these ridge structures were applied to the design of experimental subsoiler samples (bionic samples) to enhance their wear-resistance. An abrasive wear tester was utilized to conduct abrasive wear experiments under special experimental conditions. These experimental conditions involved sliding speed, soil particle size, moisture content, and space between the ridges. Finally, nine experiments were conducted that subjected the bionic and flat surface samples to different experimental conditions, and their respective mass-loss quantities were measured. Results show that bionic sample mass loss was less than that of the flat surface samples under the same experimental conditions; bionic sample wear-resistance improved by 77%, 73.8%, 66.9%, 45.4%, 58.9%, 65.5%, 33.1%, 66.4%, and 42.6% when compared with flat surface samples under the same experimental conditions. Orthogonal test results reveal that the soil particle size most significantly affected sample wear-resistance, followed by the space between bionic ridges and the sliding speed. One reason that bionic samples exhibited excellent wear-resistance is that the soil particles underwent a “guiding effect” and a “rolling effect” over the bionic ridge surface, thereby reducing the “micro-plowing” that soil particles generated when moving over the contact surface. Mutual interference among soil particles also reduced wear. Part of the soil particles rushing over the bionic sample surface rebounded back; the rebounded soil particles collided with incoming soil particles, then the speed and kinetic energy of all of the particles decreased and sample surface abrasion declined. Moreover, “vortexes” generated by sample surface air and ridges lead to an “air cushion” effect which can lessen the number of sample surface soil particles, and bionic ridge sample abrasions can be significantly reduced. Abrasion experiment results analysis indicates that bionic ridges distributed on subsoiler sample surfaces can significantly improve wear-resistance. The bionic design method provides a new approach for increasing the wear-resistance of the soil-engaging components of agricultural machinery. Keywords: Abrasive wear, Bionic ridge, Optimal design, Wear-resistance.

АККУМУЛЯЦИЯ И РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ПИТАТЕЛЬНЫХ ВЕЩЕСТВ В МЫШЦАХ И ПЕЧЕНИ ДВУХЛЕТОК КАРПА (CYPRINUS CARPIO) ПРИ КОРМЛЕНИИ РАЗНЫМИ РАЦИОНАМИ

The paper deals with the influence of different feed quality on the chemical composition and features of nutrient accumulation in the somatic muscles and hepatopancreas of two-yearold carp species. Fish were fed using pendulum auto-feeders on demand with K-111 compound feeds (23% protein and 3.5% fat) and Karp 38/12 (38% protein and 12% fat). In variant I, K-111 compound feed was used (in both car feeders), in variant II – Karp-38/12 (in both car feeders), in variant III–K-111 and Karp-38/12 (in different car feeders). The bionic method allows identifying the preference of fish for a particular type of feed. Regardless of the diets used, the water content in organs and tissues decreases during the growing of two-year-old carp species, which is primarily due to the accumulation of fat. To a lesser extent, this is due to the number of dry fat-free substance.

Bio-inspirisan inovativni pristup dizajnu štitnika za kolena za rekreativni sport

In this paper the process of an innovative design of a knee protector is presented. The main goal of the research was to find a creative design solution for more efficient protective equipment for light recreational sports. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach where the possibilities of ergonomics and bionics methods were applied. In order to recognize and provide proper design requirements a valuable market research in the field of knee protector products was performed. An ergonomic research was implemented with intention to define the detailed requirements for more comfort, better functioning and better protection from injuries. The design process was completed following the problem-driven bio-inspiration approach. The armadillo's shell structure, consisted of tiles connected with collagen fibers, was an inspiration for an innovative design approach. The result is a virtual 3D model of an innovative design of a knee protector, with intention to be further developed and tested as a 3D printed prototype, until achieving the phase of final product.

Межотраслевой научный полигон морских биотехнологий как средство эффективного решения актуальных рыбопромысловых проблем

In 2018, in the Scientific and Educational Complex “Primorsky Oceanarium” of the National Scientific Center for Marine Biology (NSCMB) FEB RAS, a Collective Use Center (CUC) was created with scientific equipment, coastal and near-shore infrastructure, unique facilities and biological materials. In its function, this Center is a unit for cooperation between fishery science and academic science in marine biotechnology (MBC). It was organized using principles of shared access of participants to marine areas, coastal research stations, biological and instrumental basis of Marine Mammals Research facility in “Primorsky Oceanarium” MBC structure in the form of CUC can be used in addressing a wide range of tasks in implementing knowledge intensive marine biotechnologies, upgrading bionic methods in the study of aquatic organisms, carrying out field studies and tests on hydroacoustic, electrical, fishing gear and other manipulators for moving behavior of aquatic organisms and their adaptation to fishing activity. The first MBC joint research results are shown. Those studies include research on acoustic and kinematic activity and characteristics of signals of marine mammals and fish, hydroacoustic emitters testing for controlling fish behavior, experimental studies on reflective properties of aquatic irganisms, and influence of attracting and repelling hydroacoustic emitters on fish behavior in cages using modern instrumental control and observation tools.

РОСТ СОМАТИЧЕСКИХ СТРУКТУР ДВУХЛЕТОК КАРПА (CYPRINUS CARPIO L.) ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ ДВУХ ВИДОВ КОРМОВ

The paper provides information about the growth and development of somatic structures of two-year-old carp during the fattening period. In variant I, K-III compound feed was used (low-carb-monodiet), in variant II – Carp-38/12 (high-carb-monodiet), in variant III – KIII and Carp-38/12 (in different auto-feeders). The highest proportion of axial somatic structures was observed in fish of variant III (fish feeding on a selective basis) (P < 0.05). White muscles are also better developed in fish that eat complex feed (variant III). Compound feed Carp 38/12 does not increase the mass of white muscles (P < 0.05). The proportion of red muscles in fish that eat mixed feed with a low fat content (3.5%) is 45.5% lower than in variants II and III. The use of feed with different energy values and their combination in one pond affects the growth and development of the structure that determines the growth of fish species – the axial skeletal muscles. At the same time, the two-year-old fish species that received the most energy-intensive diet were the most well-fed. Two-year-old carp that received feed with different energy content and complex composition grow differently. This is primarily due to the growth of muscles, which is evidenced by allometric coefficients. The highest values of this parameter featuring positive allometry, were observed in two-year-old carp that received two compound feeds from different feeders (white muscles b = 1.106; red muscles b = 1.499; all muscles b = 1.125). The bionic method of feeding fish in combination with feeds of different energy values provides for strengthened growth of one of the most important body structures – the somatic muscle system. It is not only a biological component of the body that ensures the welfare of animals, but also a high-quality food source.

Design of bionic locust mouthparts stubble cutting device

Given the technical problems of low maize stubble breaking efficiency, large cutting torque and high power consumption faced during springtime no-till planting in Northeast China, we designed a high-performance coupling bionic stubble cutting device capable by integrating the structure (multi-segment and serrate) and cutting mode (isokinetic and symmetrical) of locust mouthparts. Methods of bionic construction, mechanism design, theoretical analysis, parameter optimization, Arduino systems and intelligent control were combined to design a planetary gear mechanism and an intelligent speed control system. In particular, the bionic cutting blade could reconstruct the multi-segment and serrate structure of locust mouthparts, while the planetary gear mechanism and the intelligent speed control system jointly comprised the bionic drive system, which could simulate the isokinetic and symmetrical cutting mode, thereby bionically coupling morphological structures and movement patterns. Analysis of comparative tests showed the coupling bionic cutting device could reduce the cutting torque by 26.6%-31.6% and the power consumption by 21.9%-26.1%. This work confirmed that coupling bionic method can significantly improve the stubble cutting efficiency, which was a valuable contribution to the design of stubble cutting device for no-till planter. Keywords: bionics, locust mouthparts, cutting device, corn stubble DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201301.5031 Citation: Zhao J L, Guo M Z, Lu Y, Huang D Y, Zhuang J. Design of bionic locust mouthparts stubble cutting device. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(1): 20–28.

Neutrophil membranes coated, antibiotic agent loaded nanoparticles targeting to the lung inflammation

Natural cellular membranes, with the outstanding qualities of biocompatibility and specificity, have gained growing attentions in the system of drug delivery. Nanoparticles coated with cellular membranes are starting to be applied as drug-loaded-vehicles to target tumors. Here, neutrophil membranes were selected to apply in the treatment of inflammation because neutrophils can participate in various inflammatory responses and accumulate at inflammatory sites to eliminate pathogens. Through extracting neutrophil membranes from natural neutrophils without affecting their biological properties, nanoparticles loaded with sparfloxacin (SPX) were coated with these membranes and disguised as neutrophils. Compared with traditional nano-medicines, the neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles (NM-NP-SPX) possessed precise targeting ability just like the neutrophils could accumulate at inflammatory sites when inflammation burst. In addition, NM-NP-SPX could prolong the circulation time and had the property of controlled-release. Through in vivo experiments, we found that the concentration of three representative inflammatory cytokines in blood, bacteria and inflammatory cells in lungs of the mice with pneumonia reduced significantly in the initial 24 h after the injection of NM-NP-SPX, which meant that NM-NP-SPX could greatly reduce the risk of death for the patients with inflammation. Moreover, the infected lungs could recover rapidly without any side effects to other organs due to the low cytotoxicity of NM-NP-SPX against normal cells. Therefore, our developed drug delivery system has enormous advantages in treating inflammations. Not only that, this kind of bionic method may have greater value and application prospects in curing the inflammations arisen from cancers.

Bionic Stiffener Layout Optimization with a Flexible Plate in Solar-Powered UAV Surface Structure Design

A cellular-based evolutionary topology optimization scheme over a small curvature big contour wing surface is proposed for the design of an ultralight surface structure. Using this method, a ground-structure technique is first applied to obtain homogeneous mesh generation with a predefined weight value over the design domain. Secondly, the stiffener path’s description is guided by a modified map L system topology method that simulates the growth of the bionic branch, and the structural components are obtained by the specified searching method according to weights of the previous mesh vertexes. Thirdly, an optimal curved stiffener layout is achieved using an agent-based algorithm to create individual instances of designs based on a small number of input parameters. These parameters can then be controlled by a genetic algorithm to optimize the final design according to goals like minimizing weight and structural weakness. A comparison is implemented for long-span panel stiffener layout generation between an initial straight case and a bionic optimal case via our method, thereby indicating the significant improvement of the buckling loads by steering the stiffener’s path. Finally, this bionic method is applied to the wing box structure design and achieves remarkable weight loss at last.

Evolutionary bionic manipulator method based on capsule network

Evolutionary bionic manipulator method based on capsule network