Mechanistic Model-Based Method for Bio-Inspired Design and Education

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Seipel
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Biological Mechanism ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design

Biologically-inspired design is challenging because it requires creative transfer across biological and engineering disciplines. The biologically-inspired design process could therefore be improved with new tools, methods, and pedagogy that enables a smooth transition from a biological example or concept to a conceptual engineering design based on existing engineering components and practices. Two important problems can arise immediately when an engineer or student attempts bioinspired design: I. The practitioner or student of biological inspiration or biomimicry may not understand what the biological mechanism is that underlies a particular function of interest, and may begin engineering conceptual design with a misunderstanding of the essential mechanism required. II. Even when the correct biological mechanism is identified and a conceptual biological model is developed prior to engineering design, it may remain difficult to transition from a biological conceptual model of mechanism to an engineering conceptual design because the way these systems are composed and manufactured can be entirely different. For these reasons a formal process is developed here that links biological science with engineering design: where a biological mechanism of interest is first abstracted to a mechanistic conceptual model that focuses on the scope of the function of interest and removes other levels of biological detail. This results in a physiologically-independent conceptual model that links biological and engineering concepts. Then, subsequently, this inter-disciplinary conceptual model is re-embodied as an engineering design concept utilizing the current state of engineering art, available engineering components, and best practices. An example is presented of an existing class of biologically-inspired legged robots and their relationship to an abstract mathematical model of whole-body animal locomotion. Also, a teaching method is proposed for model-based biologically-inspired engineering design.

Biologically Inspired Design: A Macrocognitive Account

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swaroop S. Vattam ◽  
Michael Helms ◽  
Ashok K. Goel
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Patterns ◽  
Information Processing Model ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Engineering Design Problems ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design

Biologically inspired engineering design is an approach to design that espouses the adaptation of functions and mechanisms in biological sciences to solve engineering design problems. We have conducted an in situ study of designers engaged in biologically inspired design. Based on this study we develop here a macrocognitive information-processing model of biologically inspired design. We also compare and contrast the model with other information-processing models of analogical design such as TRIZ, case-based design, and design patterns.

A content account of creative analogies in biologically inspired design

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swaroop S. Vattam ◽  
Michael E. Helms ◽  
Ashok K. Goel
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Biological Knowledge ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Cross Domain ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design ◽  
Content Theory

AbstractThe growing movement of biologically inspired design is driven in part by the need for sustainable development and in part by the recognition that nature could be a source of innovation. Biologically inspired design by definition entails cross-domain analogies from biological systems to problems in engineering and other design domains. However, the practice of biologically inspired design at present typically isad hoc, with little systemization of either biological knowledge for the purposes of engineering design or the processes of transferring knowledge of biological designs to engineering problems. In this paper we present an intricate episode of biologically inspired engineering design that unfolded over an extended period of time. We then analyze our observations in terms ofwhy,what,how, andwhenquestions of analogy. This analysis contributes toward a content theory of creative analogies in the context of biologically inspired design.

scholarly journals Using analogies to explain versus inspire concepts

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Chou ◽  
L.H. Shu
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Analogical Thinking ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design ◽  
Search Approach

AbstractWe aim to examine the potential of using analogies in design education and to compare the roles of analogies in explaining versus inspiring in engineering design. We review existing research in analogical thinking, with a focus on scientific discourse and education. Then we explore the role of analogies in design education in making concepts more relatable by asking six participants in a graduate-level design course to generate analogies for course topics. We describe criteria developed to evaluate the analogies and present these evaluations. We then asked participants to perform divergent thinking tests, but we found no significant correlation between these and analogy scores. The participants were also asked to reflect on what constitutes an effective analog, describe their process of identifying analogies, and provide their definitions of analogies. We describe possible links between these comments and the ratings of their analogies. We then draw on results in using analogies in pedagogy to inform and reflect on obstacles we encountered in the use of analogies to inspire. Specifically, we related them to our experience with biomimetic or biologically inspired design, where we used a natural-language search approach to identify relevant analogies. Three aspects discussed are familiarity of source analogies, boundaries of parallels between source analogies and target concepts, and concreteness of source analogies. Finally, we discuss possible pedagogical benefits of eliciting analogies on course topics from students, namely, using the elicited analogies as tools for improved student engagement as well as more prompt instructor feedback.

A Systematic Approach to Biologically-Inspired Engineering Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn K. S. Nagel ◽  
Robert B. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Biological Knowledge ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Design Methodologies ◽  
Functional Representation ◽  
Engineering Designs ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design

To facilitate systematic biologically-inspired design, a design methodology that integrates with function-based design methodologies has been formalized. The goals of this methodology are to go beyond the element of chance, reduce the amount of time and effort required for developing biologically-inspired engineering solutions, and bridge the seemingly immense disconnect between the engineering and biological domains. Using functional representation and abstraction to describe biological systems presents the natural designs in an engineering context and allows designers to make connections between biological and engineered systems. Thus, the biological information is accessible to engineering designers with varying biological knowledge, but a common understanding of engineering design methodologies. Two approaches to validation are presented. One examines current biologically-inspired products either in production or in literature to see if the systematic approach to biologically-inspired design can reproduce the existing designs. The second investigates needs-based design problems that lead to plausible biologically-inspired solutions. This work has demonstrated the feasibility of using systematic design for the discovery of innovative engineering designs without requiring expert-level knowledge, but rather broad knowledge of many fields.

MODELING AN ABBREVIATED PRODUCT DESIGN CYCLE IN A FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING DESIGN COURSE

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Kristine Sheridan ◽  
Jason A Foster ◽  
Geoffrey S Frost
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Project ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Praxis Ii ◽  
Engineering Communication ◽  
Detail Design ◽  
Praxis I ◽  
Design Experience

All Engineering Science students at the University of Toronto take the cornerstone Praxis Sequence of engineering design courses. In the first course in the sequence, Praxis I, students practice three types of engineering design across three distinct design projects. Previously the final design project had the students first frame and then develop conceptual design solutions for a self-identified challenge. While this project succeeded in providing an appropriate foundational design experience, it failed to fully prepare students for the more complex design experience in Praxis II. The project also failed to ingrain the need for clear and concise engineering communication, and the students’ lack of understanding of detail design inhibited their ability to make practical and realistic design decisions. A revised Product Design project in Praxis I was designed with the primary aims of: (a) pushing students beyond the conceptual design phase of the design process, and (b) simulating a real-world work environment by: (i) increasing the interdependence between student teams and (ii) increasing the students’ perceived value of engineering communication.

The La laja spring system in the Argentine Precordillera: A conceptual model based on geochemical and isotopic data

2021 ◽  
pp. 103241
Author(s):  
Paola Orozco ◽  
Ricardo Astini ◽  
Jimena Presa ◽  
Patricia Alvarado ◽  
Agostina Venerdini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Isotopic Data ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Spring System ◽  
Argentine Precordillera

Recognition of teaching method effects based on grid model simplification and artificial intelligence

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Guo Yunfeng ◽  
Li Jing
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
Sorting Algorithm ◽  
Grid Model ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Refinement Method ◽  
Method Effects ◽  
Structure Simplification

In order to improve the effect of the teaching method evaluation model, based on the grid model, this paper constructs an artificial intelligence model based on the grid model. Moreover, this paper proposes a hexahedral grid structure simplification method based on weighted sorting, which comprehensively sorts the elimination order of candidate base complexes in the grid with three sets of sorting items of width, deformation and price improvement. At the same time, for the elimination order of basic complex strings, this paper also proposes a corresponding priority sorting algorithm. In addition, this paper proposes a smoothing regularization method based on the local parameterization method of the improved SLIM algorithm, which uses the regularized unit as the reference unit in the local mapping in the SLIM algorithm. Furthermore, this paper proposes an adaptive refinement method that maintains the uniformity of the grid and reduces the surface error, which can better slow down the occurrence of geometric constraints caused by insufficient number of elements in the process of grid simplification. Finally, this paper designs experiments to study the performance of the model. The research results show that the model constructed in this paper is effective.

scholarly journals Biologically Inspired Design and Development of a Variable Stiffness Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Agboola-Dobson ◽  
Guowu Wei ◽  
Lei Ren
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Plane Motion ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Passive Rotation ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design

Recent advancements in powered lower limb prostheses have appeased several difficulties faced by lower limb amputees by using a series-elastic actuator (SEA) to provide powered sagittal plane flexion. Unfortunately, these devices are currently unable to provide both powered sagittal plane flexion and two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) at the ankle, removing the ankle’s capacity to invert/evert, thus severely limiting terrain adaption capabilities and user comfort. The developed 2-DOF ankle system in this paper allows both powered flexion in the sagittal plane and passive rotation in the frontal plane; an SEA emulates the biomechanics of the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon for flexion while a novel universal-joint system provides the 2-DOF. Several studies were undertaken to thoroughly characterize the capabilities of the device. Under both level- and sloped-ground conditions, ankle torque and kinematic data were obtained by using force-plates and a motion capture system. The device was found to be fully capable of providing powered sagittal plane motion and torque very close to that of a biological ankle while simultaneously being able to adapt to sloped terrain by undergoing frontal plane motion, thus providing 2-DOF at the ankle. These findings demonstrate that the device presented in this paper poses radical improvements to powered prosthetic ankle-foot device (PAFD) design.

scholarly journals Beyond analogy: A model of bioinspiration for creative design

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Freitas Salgueiredo ◽  
Armand Hatchuel
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Concept Knowledge ◽  
Bioinspired Design ◽  
Aerodynamic Properties ◽  
Biologically Inspired Design ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIs biologically inspired design only an analogical transfer from biology to engineering? Actually, nature does not always bring “hands-on” solutions that can be analogically applied in classic engineering. Then, what are the different operations that are involved in the bioinspiration process and what are the conditions allowing this process to produce a bioinspired design? In this paper, we model the whole design process in which bioinspiration is only one element. To build this model, we use a general design theory, concept–knowledge theory, because it allows one to capture analogy as well as all other knowledge changes that lead to the design of a bioinspired solution. We ground this model on well-described examples of biologically inspired designs available in the scientific literature. These examples include Flectofin®, a hingeless flapping mechanism conceived for façade shading, and WhalePower technology, the introduction of bumps on the leading edge of airfoils to improve aerodynamic properties. Our modeling disentangles the analogical aspects of the biologically inspired design process, and highlights the expansions occurring in both knowledge bases, scientific (nonbiological) and biological, as well as the impact of these expansions in the generation of new concepts (concept partitioning). This model also shows that bioinspired design requires a special form of collaboration between engineers and biologists. Contrasting with the classic one-way transfer between biology and engineering that is assumed in the literature, the concept–knowledge framework shows that these collaborations must be “mutually inspirational” because both biological and engineering knowledge expansions are needed to reach a novel solution.

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