Viscoelastic properties of young and old human dermis: A proposed molecular mechanism for elastic energy storage in collagen and elastin

2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 1978-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick H. Silver ◽  
Gurinder P. Seehra ◽  
Joseph W. Freeman ◽  
Dale DeVore
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
Viscoelastic Properties ◽  
Human Dermis

Jumping, Climbing and Suspensory Locomotion

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
The Core ◽  
Power Amplification ◽  
Core Concepts

Jumping, climbing and suspensory locomotion are specialized locomotor mechanisms used on land and in the air. Jumping is used for rapid launches from substrates. Climbing and suspensory movements enable locomotion up, under and through vertically-structured habitats, such as forests. Elastic energy storage is particularly important for jumping and catapult systems and we address the core concepts of power amplification that are exemplified in nature’s extreme jumpers. We examine the diverse mechanisms of attachment that characterize animals that can grasp and adhere to a diversity of structures. We conclude the chapter by examining the integration of biological capabilities with engineering innovations in these systems.

scholarly journals Evidence for a vertebrate catapult: elastic energy storage in the plantaris tendon during frog jumping

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry C. Astley ◽  
Thomas J. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Angular Acceleration ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Joint Motion ◽  
Joint Movement ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Muscle Shortening

Anuran jumping is one of the most powerful accelerations in vertebrate locomotion. Several species are hypothesized to use a catapult-like mechanism to store and rapidly release elastic energy, producing power outputs far beyond the capability of muscle. Most evidence for this mechanism comes from measurements of whole-body power output; the decoupling of joint motion and muscle shortening expected in a catapult-like mechanism has not been demonstrated. We used high-speed marker-based biplanar X-ray cinefluoroscopy to quantify plantaris muscle fascicle strain and ankle joint motion in frogs in order to test for two hallmarks of a catapult mechanism: (i) shortening of fascicles prior to joint movement (during tendon stretch), and (ii) rapid joint movement during the jump without rapid muscle-shortening (during tendon recoil). During all jumps, muscle fascicles shortened by an average of 7.8 per cent (54% of total strain) prior to joint movement, stretching the tendon. The subsequent period of initial joint movement and high joint angular acceleration occurred with minimal muscle fascicle length change, consistent with the recoil of the elastic tendon. These data support the plantaris longus tendon as a site of elastic energy storage during frog jumping, and demonstrate that catapult mechanisms may be employed even in sub-maximal jumps.

Elastic Energy Storage Enables Rapid and Programmable Actuation in Soft Machines

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1906603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniket Pal ◽  
Debkalpa Goswami ◽  
Ramses V. Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Elastic Energy

Molecular Basis for Elastic Energy Storage in Mineralized Tendon

2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 750-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick H. Silver ◽  
Joseph W. Freeman ◽  
Istvan Horvath ◽  
William J. Landis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
Molecular Basis

Deactivation rate and shortening velocity as determinants of contractile frequency

1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (2) ◽  
pp. R223-R230 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Adductor Muscle ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Shortening Velocity ◽  
Thermal Dependence ◽  
Jet Propulsion

The kinetic properties of muscle that could influence locomotor frequency include rate of activation, rate of cross-bridge "attachment", intrinsic shortening velocity, and rate of deactivation. The latter two mechanisms are examined using examples from high-speed running in lizards and escape swimming in scallops. During running, inertial loading and elastic energy storage probably mitigate the effects of thermal alterations in intrinsic muscle shortening velocity. The result is a rather low thermal dependence of stride frequency over a 15-20 degree C temperature range. However, at lower temperatures, the longer times required for deactivation cause the thermal dependence of frequency to increase greatly. Scallops use a single muscle to swim by jet propulsion. In vivo shortening velocity in these animals also shows a low thermal dependence. As with high-speed running, the mechanics of jet propulsion may limit the effects of thermally induced changes in intrinsic shortening velocity. The largest thermal effect during swimming is on the initial phase of valve opening. The effects of temperature on the rate of deactivation of the adductor muscle could play an important role in limiting reextension of the muscle, which is dependent on elastic energy storage in the hinge ligament. These examples illustrate that the relative importance of various intrinsic contractile properties in controlling locomotor performance depends on the mechanics of the movements.

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