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Yue T, Si W, Keller A, Yang C, Bloomfield-Gadêlha H, Rossiter J. Bioinspired multiscale adaptive suction on complex dry surfaces enhanced by regulated water secretion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314359121. [PMID: 38557166 PMCID: PMC11032437 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314359121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Suction is a highly evolved biological adhesion strategy for soft-body organisms to achieve strong grasping on various objects. Biological suckers can adaptively attach to dry complex surfaces such as rocks and shells, which are extremely challenging for current artificial suction cups. Although the adaptive suction of biological suckers is believed to be the result of their soft body's mechanical deformation, some studies imply that in-sucker mucus secretion may be another critical factor in helping attach to complex surfaces, thanks to its high viscosity. Inspired by the combined action of biological suckers' soft bodies and mucus secretion, we propose a multiscale suction mechanism which successfully achieves strong adaptive suction on dry complex surfaces which are both highly curved and rough, such as a stone. The proposed multiscale suction mechanism is an organic combination of mechanical conformation and regulated water seal. Multilayer soft materials first generate a rough mechanical conformation to the substrate, reducing leaking apertures to micrometres (~10 µm). The remaining micron-sized apertures are then sealed by regulated water secretion from an artificial fluidic system based on the physical model, thereby the suction cup achieves long suction longevity on complex surfaces but minimal overflow. We discuss its physical principles and demonstrate its practical application as a robotic gripper on a wide range of complex dry surfaces. We believe the presented multiscale adaptive suction mechanism is a powerful unique adaptive suction strategy which may be instrumental in the development of versatile soft adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Yue
- School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
| | - Weiyong Si
- Faculty of Environment and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, United Kingdom
- School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, EssexCO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Keller
- School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
| | - Chenguang Yang
- Faculty of Environment and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, United Kingdom
| | - Hermes Bloomfield-Gadêlha
- School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Rossiter
- School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom
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Zhang D, Xu J, Liu X, Zhang Q, Cong Q, Chen T, Liu C. Advanced Bionic Attachment Equipment Inspired by the Attachment Performance of Aquatic Organisms: A Review. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:biomimetics8010085. [PMID: 36810416 PMCID: PMC9944885 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, aquatic organisms have evolved various attachment systems, and their attachment ability has become a specific and mysterious survival skill for them. Therefore, it is significant to study and use their unique attachment surfaces and outstanding attachment characteristics for reference and develop new attachment equipment with excellent performance. Based on this, in this review, the unique non-smooth surface morphologies of their suction cups are classified and the key roles of these special surface morphologies in the attachment process are introduced in detail. The recent research on the attachment capacity of aquatic suction cups and other related attachment studies are described. Emphatically, the research progress of advanced bionic attachment equipment and technology in recent years, including attachment robots, flexible grasping manipulators, suction cup accessories, micro-suction cup patches, etc., is summarized. Finally, the existing problems and challenges in the field of biomimetic attachment are analyzed, and the focus and direction of biomimetic attachment research in the future are pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- Shandong Academy of Agricultural Machinery Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Shandong Academy of Agricultural Machinery Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
- Institute of Modern Agriculture on Yellow River Delta, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongying 257300, China
| | - Qifeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- Shandong Academy of Agricultural Machinery Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Qian Cong
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (T.C.)
| | - Tingkun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (T.C.)
| | - Chaozong Liu
- Institute of Orthopaedic & Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, London HA7 4LP, UK
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Kampowski T, Schuler B, Speck T, Poppinga S. The effects of substrate porosity, mechanical substrate properties and loading conditions on the attachment performance of the Mediterranean medicinal leech ( Hirudo verbana). J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220068. [PMID: 35317649 PMCID: PMC8941423 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ectoparasitic lifestyle of the Mediterranean medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana) requires reliable functioning of its attachment organs (i.e. anterior and posterior suction discs) on multiple habitat- and host-specific surfaces under both normal and shear stresses. In addition to some intrinsic properties of the attachment devices, however, only a few extrinsic factors (e.g. substrate roughness and porosity) have been considered in previous studies on leech suckers. Using centrifugal force experiments, we analysed the attachment performance of H. verbana under different types of loading on artificial substrates differing in porosity and their mechanical properties. Whereas the substrate porosity significantly influenced leech attachment under normal and shear loading, the different mechanical properties did not noticeably affect attachment within the considered parameter limits. Furthermore, suction was confirmed to be the primary attachment mechanism independent of the prevailing loading condition. The question of whether the suction cups of H. verbana are adapted to a specific loading condition could not be answered. In any case, our results again highlight the high functional resilience of leech suckers guaranteeing a successful ectoparasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Kampowski
- Plant Biomechanics Group (PBG), Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schuler
- Plant Biomechanics Group (PBG), Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thomas Speck
- Plant Biomechanics Group (PBG), Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS@ FIT – Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Simon Poppinga
- Plant Biomechanics Group (PBG), Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS@ FIT – Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Current address: Botanical Garden, Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Biology, Schnittspahnstr. 2, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Kang V, White RT, Chen S, Federle W. Extreme suction attachment performance from specialised insects living in mountain streams (Diptera: Blephariceridae). eLife 2021; 10:e63250. [PMID: 34731079 PMCID: PMC8565926 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Suction is widely used by animals for strong controllable underwater adhesion but is less well understood than adhesion of terrestrial climbing animals. Here we investigate the attachment of aquatic insect larvae (Blephariceridae), which cling to rocks in torrential streams using the only known muscle-actuated suction organs in insects. We measured their attachment forces on well-defined rough substrates and found that their adhesion was less reduced by micro-roughness than that of terrestrial climbing insects. In vivo visualisation of the suction organs in contact with microstructured substrates revealed that they can mould around large asperities to form a seal. We have shown that the ventral surface of the suction disc is covered by dense arrays of microtrichia, which are stiff spine-like cuticular structures that only make tip contact. Our results demonstrate the impressive performance and versatility of blepharicerid suction organs and highlight their potential as a study system to explore biological suction mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Kang
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Robin T White
- Carl Zeiss Research Microscopy SolutionsPleasantonUnited Kingdom
| | - Simon Chen
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Walter Federle
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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