Necrobotics: Biotic Materials as Ready‐to‐Use Actuators

Advanced Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(29)

Published: July 25, 2022

Abstract Designs perfected through evolution have informed bioinspired animal‐like robots that mimic the locomotion of cheetahs and compliance jellyfish; biohybrid go a step further by incorporating living materials directly into engineered systems. Bioinspiration biohybridization led to new, exciting research, but humans relied on biotic materials—non‐living derived from organisms—since their early ancestors wore animal hides as clothing used bones for tools. In this work, an inanimate spider is repurposed ready‐to‐use actuator requiring only single facile fabrication step, initiating area “necrobotics” in which are robotic components. The unique walking mechanism spiders—relying hydraulic pressure rather than antagonistic muscle pairs extend legs—results necrobotic gripper naturally resides its closed state can be opened applying pressure. capable grasping objects with irregular geometries up 130% own mass. Furthermore, serve handheld device innately camouflages outdoor environments. Necrobotics extended incorporate other creatures similar mechanisms articulation.

Language: Английский

Methods for independently manipulating palatability and color in small insect prey

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. e0231205 - e0231205

Published: April 7, 2020

Understanding how the psychology of predators shapes defenses colorful aposematic prey has been a rich area inquiry, with emphasis on hypothesis-driven experiments that independently manipulate color and palatability in to examine predator responses. Most these studies focus avian predators, despite calls consider more taxonomically diverse predators. This taxonomic bias leaves gaps our knowledge about generalizability current theory. Here we have adapted tools successfully used bird scaled them down tested smaller (Habronattus jumping spiders) small insect (termites, milkweed bug nymphs, pinhead crickets, fruit flies). Specifically, test (1) application denatonium benzoate (DB) surface live termites, flies, (2) effectiveness manipulating nymphs through diet. We also combining manipulations various manipulations. Across several experiments, confirm are not detectable spiders before they attack (i.e., do produce aversive odors avoid), show unpalatable indeed quickly rejected habituate taste experience. investigate limitations techniques by assessing possible unintended effects behavior risk contact contamination when using DB-treated experiments. While similar relatively large prey, can be effectively for use invertebrate prey.

Language: Английский

The role of high-contrast male facial stripes in mitigating female aggression in the jumping spider Plexippus paykulli

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 206, P. 13 - 27

Published: Oct. 12, 2023

Language: Английский