Search results
1 – 10 of 908Abstract
Purpose
Entomology is a useful tool when applied to engineering challenges that have been solved in nature. Especially when these special abilities of olfactory sensation, vision, auditory perception, fly, jump, navigation, chemical synthesis, exquisite structure and others were connected with mechanization, informationization and intelligentization of modern science and technology, and produced innumerable classical bionic products. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
All kinds of special abilities of insects and application status have been described and discussed in order to summarize the advanced research examples and supply bibliographic reference to the latters. Future perspectives and challenges in the use of insect bionics were also given.
Findings
In the period of life sciences and information sciences, insect bionics not only promoted the development of modern science and technology on the sides of mechanics, molecule, energy, information and control greatly but also provided new ideas and technologies for the crisis of science and technology, food, environment and ecosystem.
Originality/value
It may provide strategies to solve the problems and be a source of good ideas for researchers.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to describe recent research into biomimetic imaging and vision systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe recent research into biomimetic imaging and vision systems.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an introduction, this paper discusses a range of biomimetic imaging and vision system research activities and their potential applications. Brief conclusions are drawn.
Findings
This shows that biomimetic design concepts, many based on insect vision, are being applied widely to prototype imaging systems. These exhibit features such as wide fields of view, hyperacuity and infra‐red detection and offer prospects to enhance the capabilities of such systems in a wide range of applications.
Originality/value
This paper provides details of recent biomimetic imaging research, which has potential in a range of robotic and other applications.
Details
Keywords
Torben Lenau, Hyunmin Cheong and Li Shu
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how biomimetics can be applied in sensor design. Biomimetics is an engineering discipline that uses nature as an inspiration source for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how biomimetics can be applied in sensor design. Biomimetics is an engineering discipline that uses nature as an inspiration source for generating ideas for how to solve engineering problems. The paper reviews a number of biomimetic studies of sense organs in animals and illustrates how a formal search method developed at University of Toronto can be applied to sensor design.
Design/methodology/approach
Using biomimetics involves a search for relevant cases, a proper analysis of the biological solutions, identification of design principles and design of the desired artefact. The present search method is based on formulation of relevant keywords and search for occurrences in a standard university biology textbook. Most often a simple formulation of keywords and a following search is not enough to generate a sufficient amount of useful ideas or the search gives too many results. This is handled by a more advanced search strategy where the search is either widened or it is focused further mainly using biological synonyms.
Findings
A major problem in biomimetic design is finding the relevant analogies to actual design tasks in nature.
Research limitations/implications
Biomimetics can be a challenge to engineers due to the terminology from another scientific discipline.
Practical implications
Using a formalised search method is a way of solving the problem of finding the relevant biological analogies.
Originality/value
The paper is of value as most present biomimetic research is focused on the understanding of biological phenomena and does not have as much focus on the engineering design challenges.
Details
Keywords
The characteristics of the experienced online searcher are identified and an attempt is made to show the ways in which the experienced searcher is able to enhance a basic search.
Del Toro's adult fairy tales create their horror via a disruption in the familiarities of place and identity using a connection between a purposeful mise en scène and techniques…
Abstract
Del Toro's adult fairy tales create their horror via a disruption in the familiarities of place and identity using a connection between a purposeful mise en scène and techniques of sound design world-building that he borrows from the long tradition of horror filmmaking. Though the discussion of the relation between image and sound in del Toro's films would (and do) fill a number of volumes and monographs, this chapter will focus on one particular technique long-employed by horror film sound designers, music supervisors and composers: extra-diegetic sound. Where diegetic sound is the audio that is part of the world of the film and non-diegetic sound its inverse, extra-diegesis points out that these bits of audio effectively collapse the world of the character with the world of the audience. Extra-diegetic audio is a diegetic audio effect (the source being clearly seen or pointed to in the visuals) that has been sweetened, enhanced or noticeably processed to include extra audio elements that are non-diegetic, making the whole of the audio both of the world of the film and simultaneously of the world of the audience. The audience notices and can clearly hear the extra enhancements, though in the stress and horror (which is the point) of the moment these distinctions may collapse and lead the audience to confuse the real with the pretend.
Details
Keywords
J.K. Stroble, R.B. Stone and S.E. Watkins
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the wide range of biomimetic sensor technology and innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the wide range of biomimetic sensor technology and innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
The reader is introduced to biomimetic sensors, their types, their advantages and how they are different from traditional sensors. Background information is also provided regarding sensor design, inspiration and innovation.
Findings
There are two approaches to sensor design, which lead to diverse advantages and innovations. Classification of biomimetic sensors indicated which natural senses are underutilized by sensor designers and researchers.
Originality/value
The paper provides information of value for those seeking innovative sensor designs and research information for those who want to research in this area.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to provide an insight into robot developments that use bioinspired design concepts.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an insight into robot developments that use bioinspired design concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a short introduction to biomimetics, this paper first provides examples of bioinspired terrestrial, aerial and underwater robot navigation techniques. It then discusses bioinspired locomotion and considers a selection of robotic products and developments inspired by snakes, bats, diving birds, fish and dragonflies. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.
Findings
The application of design concepts that mimic the capabilities and processes found in living creatures can impart robots with unique abilities. Bioinspired techniques used by insects and other organisms, notably optic flow and sunlight polarisation sensing, allow robots to navigate without the need for methods such as simultaneous localisation and mapping, GPS or inertial measurement units. Bioinspired locomotion techniques have yielded robots capable of operating in water, air and on land and in some cases, making the transition between different media.
Originality/value
This shows how bioinspired design concepts can impart robots with innovative and enhanced navigation and locomotion capabilities.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Purpose
Multiple-source disturbances exist in the polarization sensor, which severely affect the sensor accuracy and stability. Hence, the disturbance analysis plays a vital role in improving the sensor orientation performance. This paper aims to present a novel sensor error model, a disturbances quantitative analysis, a calibration and performance test of polarization sensor based on a polarizing beam splitter.
Design/methodology/approach
By combining with the sensor coefficient errors, the Azimuth of Polarization (AoP) error model and the Degree of Polarization (DoP) error model are established, respectively. In addition, the multiple-source disturbances are classified, while the influence on the orientation accuracy is quantitative analyzed. Moreover, the least square optimization algorithm is employed to calibrate the sensor coefficients. Finally, an outdoor test is carried out to test the sensor long-term accuracy.
Findings
The theoretical analysis and numerical simulations illustrate that the sensor accuracy is closely related to the disturbances. To eliminate the influence of the disturbances, the least square optimization algorithm, which can minimize the sum of squares of the residual difference of AoP and DoP, is used to calibrate the sensor coefficients. The outdoor test indicates that the sensor can maintain long-term accuracy and stability.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to establish a novel sensor error model, where the sensor coefficient errors are introduced. In addition, the disturbances are classified and analyzed to evaluate the orientation accuracy of the sensor.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to investigate different cybernetic structures of simple adaptive systems and their cognitive and behavioral options.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate different cybernetic structures of simple adaptive systems and their cognitive and behavioral options.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a functional approach, two basic forms of adaptive systems are constructed, which process data on one level respectively two hierarchical levels. Based on that complex combinations of such one‐level and hierarchical structures are investigated.
Findings
It is shown how different cybernetic structures enable simple forms of adaptive behavior. A basic blueprint for the controller structure of animal species is derived from them, with a simple “brain” and a unit for “motion control” as subsystems. Four paths of evolutionary growth are identified that allow a widely independent development of these subsystems.
Practical implications
The paper provides a typology of simple adaptive systems and discusses the forms of behavior they can develop with preprogrammed – i.e. evolutionary given or technically programmed – decision‐rules. It discusses the requirements that these decision‐rules can form models enabling adaptive behavior. It is suggested that these requirements hold for the models of more complex adaptive systems, too.
Originality/value
This paper is the first in a series of three on a cybernetic theory distinguishing systems able of preprogrammed adaptation, system‐specific adaptation, and learning.
Details
Keywords
Waste of food has been a concern to MAFF for a considerable period. Recently, because of worries over national and world food supplies, and the necessity for the UK to maintain a…
Abstract
Waste of food has been a concern to MAFF for a considerable period. Recently, because of worries over national and world food supplies, and the necessity for the UK to maintain a healthy import/export balance by making best use of its available materials, there has arisen within academic, industrial, public as well as govrnment circles a wider interest in the manner in which we utilise the basic food materials which we grow and import, and to what extent we actually consume the foodstuffs available. In November 1976, MAFF announced the setting up of a Food Waste Survey Unit “responsible for collecting and collating data on waste as it arises from the point at which food commodities enter into food processing, distribution and consumption, and for reviewing ways in which waste may be reduced or may be re‐cycled within the food chain or otherwise usefully employed”.