Functional Morphologies
Team: Katia Zolotovsky (PI), Avantika Velho*, Shuyuan Zheng*, Kate Ross, Hongshun Chen, Dr.Ling Li
Client : Hyundai Motor Group
My Role: I conducted observational studies on the self-cleaning abilities of insect wings and contributed to the characterization and parameterization of their geometry. I developed a novel chitosan biomaterial for our membranes and performed mechanical testing of its material properties, as well as experimental testing on the hydrophobicity of surface architectures. Additionally, I conceptualized potential applications and use cases for our technology, co-authored a paper, and presented this research at eCAADe in 2022.
2021-22
Providence, RI, USA
Biomimetic Self-Cleaning Surfaces
In order to maintain lightweightness for flight, insects must keep their wing surfaces clean and dry. Traditionally, we achieve hydrophobicity by applying mostly petroleum-based materials. However, nature organizes biomaterials—in this case, chitin—into efficient structural solutions. In this project, we focused on insect wings as a model for lightweight architectural membranes with self-cleaning functionality and established a workflow to investigate and combine the structural superiority and biological materiality from our source of inspiration.
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Analysis of butterfly wing morphology heirarchies
Study of Swallowtail and Blue Morpho butterfly.
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Understanding butterfly wing microstructures
A series of structural ridges and interstitial mesh trap air and promote water-water adhesion of droplet.
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Abstracting insect wing microstructures
Top (Left to Right) : Rhino model of butterfly, dragonfly, cicada
Bottom (Left to Right): ABS 3D printed swatch of butterfly, dragonfly, cicada .
