The effect of size-scale on the kinematics of elastic energy release

Elastically-driven motion has been used as a strategy to achieve high speeds in small organisms and engineered micro-robotic devices. We examine the size-scaling relations determining the limit of elastic energy release from elastomer bands that efficiently cycle mechanical energy with minimal loss....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soft matter 2019-11, Vol.15 (46), p.9579-9586
Main Authors: Ilton, Mark, Cox, S. M, Egelmeers, Thijs, Sutton, Gregory P, Patek, S. N, Crosby, Alfred J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Elastic limit
Elastomers
Energy
Kinematics
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Summary:Elastically-driven motion has been used as a strategy to achieve high speeds in small organisms and engineered micro-robotic devices. We examine the size-scaling relations determining the limit of elastic energy release from elastomer bands that efficiently cycle mechanical energy with minimal loss. The maximum center-of-mass velocity of the elastomer bands was found to be size-scale independent, while smaller bands demonstrated larger accelerations and shorter durations of elastic energy release. Scaling relationships determined from these measurements are consistent with the performance of small organisms and engineered devices which utilize elastic elements to power motion. The size-scaling of elastically-driven motion is determined using a material that efficiently cycles mechanical energy. The scaling is consistent with the performance of organisms and engineered devices which utilize elastic elements to power motion.
ISSN:1744-683X
1744-6848
DOI:10.1039/c9sm00870e