History:...AskNature -- Browse Biomimicry Taxonomy...Search: water...Chewing through wood: harlequin beetle
Dragonfly wing / Rogue 141 / License
1 of 1
Dragonfly wing / Rogue 141 / License
The wings of insects combine structural support and material economy because they are flat, braced surfaces.
| Biomimetic Application Ideas |
| |
|
Nanoscale membranes. |
[Collapse all sections] Summary
"Insect wings provide yet another example of braced, flat surfaces--cylindrical cantilever beams (veins) support a thin membrane. A pound of fruit-fly wings laid end to end would stretch about 500 miles, a very low mass per unit length--a steel wire to go so far would have about the same diameter as a red blood cell. Yet in each second of flight the tip of a wing moves several meters and reverses direction four hundred times. Other paddles and fins are fairly flat as well, as are some feathers, the book gills of horseshoe crabs, and a scattering of other stiff structures. In all these cases, though, flatness suits functions other than support. From a mechanical viewpoint the flatness of these systems, however impressive, is perhaps best regarded as a necessary evil--and their designs incorporate features that offset their intrinsically low flexural stiffness." (Vogel 2003:439)
About the inspiring organism
Insecta
Insecta
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist
Bioinspired products and application ideas
Application Ideas: Nanoscale membranes.
Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Nanotechnology
References
Steven Vogel. 2003.
Comparative Biomechanics: Life's Physical World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 580 p.
>> 
>>
Email this strategy
Give feedback
Download a PDF