Applying Biomimetics on Frog Calling

Hola!

Welcome to another update on the biomimicry of tadpoles and frogs!

Firstly, let us show you how much our little Frogy has grown in merely three weeks...

If you are observant enough, you would probably notice that spots starts to form on its body and its hind leg muscles starts to develop to incorporate greater leaps

Froglet showing large eyes, strong hind legs and distinct orange patterns on its body 

Throughout this period, the froglet is observed to perform the norm of what normal frogs do

(leaping, feeding on insects, swimming around shallow waters, stoning, etc.)

Frogs are usually nocturnal and are rarely active daytime

Therefore during the day, the froglet usually finds shelter under shadowy areas (eg: under leaves or below rocks), making activities difficult to be observed

Little froglet staring at the camera

However, we have recently discovered and paid attention to one of the behaviors exhibited by the froglet that has sparked our interests. This behavior may appear annoying to most people, especially after rainy nights......

You've probably guess it by now, the behavior that we are going to discuss about in this post is

Frog Calling

(source: Benny Trapp)

Frog calling is a behavior exhibited by most male frogs to attract female frogs who are able to locate them from their vocal expression. This activity usually happens after rainy nights, as there will be a higher probability of formation of water pools, or less chances of wet areas being dried out.

(It is mandatory for frogs to lay eggs in water)

So how, and for what purpose are we mimicking frog callings?

(we don't attract females by croaking do we?!)

(Source: Africa Gomez)

Frogs, more specifically male Japanese tree frogs has learnt the ability to "co-operate" with other male frogs so that they will not call at the same time to prevent confusion. 

This is also known as "desynchronization", where the frogs is capable of timing their vocal expression at different intervals in order to prevent overlapping.

Therefore, by desynchronization, a female frog then has the capability to differentiate between the vibrations showcased by each male frog and is capable to accurately and precisely locate her preferrable choice.

(Source: AnonMoos)

Research and investigation has shown by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia that frog callings actually can help us in improving wireless connection networks. 

But how?

When nodes of wireless networks are connected to each other, colours are assigned to each node in order to ensure that each pair of nodes are not in the same colour. This technique is also known as Distributed Graph Colouring. 

However, there is a probability that these nodes will overlap among colours, causing an inefficient connection.

This distinct "desynchronization" behavior of male frogs have lead researchers in the mentioned institute to develop an entirely new mathematical algorithm. By assigning the new mathematical algorithm, the overlapping of colours between nodes are eliminated, thus avoiding or mitigating electrical interference in wifi connections, ultimately providing a stable and reliable network.

The outcome of this new mathematical algorithm results in a staggering improvement in 90% of the studies and investigations performed during the experiment conducted by the Hernandez and Blum from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Therefore, modern wireless networks are optimized in terms of productivity and energy efficiency,
all thanks to the inspirations obtained from frogs!

To end today's post, we shall conclude with a video of our froglet attempting to perform "frog calling"
Pay attention to its vocal sac, and watch in HD for maximum viewing pleasure

Enjoy!

Thank you for reading!
Drop your comments below
:)

For more information about this, check out the detailed journal of this subject:

Distributed Graph Colouring: An Approach Based on the Calling Behavior of Japanese Tree Frogs

Frog in Manufacturing Processes !!!

Dear readers, welcome to another update on our pet tadpole turned frog!

Today's post is going to be about how frogs keep their feet attached to submerged leaves and incorporating this idea into graphene manufacturing. Its going to be a bit technical to some of you guys, so i'll try to keep it simple and easy
:)

Graphene is known to be an atom-thick layer of carbon material, and is renowned for its impeccable strength and conductivity. Graphene has high potential in being used in electronic chips and solar cells, however it faces a big challenge when manufacturers plan to manufacture graphenes in large quantity 

Example of a 3D modeled graphene sheet

Graphenes are created from graphite by growing them on silicon wafers. A copper-based catalyst is also added to grow them. After growing, the catalyst needs to be removed. 

Here lies the challenge:
Graphene needs to remain attached on the silicon wafer while removing  the catalyst

Finally last year (2013), a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), led by Professor Loh Kian Ping, has successfully developed an innovative one-step method to grow and transfer high-quality graphene grown on silicon wafers. 

The inspiration attained for this method came from observing how tree frogs keep their feet attached on leaves submerged in water. Tree frogs use trapped bubbles on their feet in order to stay afloat on submerged leaves. The bubbles form capillary bridges: stretched structures that exert an inward force on both ends, holding them together. It is the same effect that holds a sand castle together!

The one-step method in producing graphenes by NUS is also known as the face-to-face transfer. The process begins with a layer of copper-based catalyst coating the silicon disc. later on graphene is grown on the catalyst and then a bubble is used to adhere it to the disc. Thus, even as the catalyst was removed, graphenes will stay in place. A picture speaks a thousand words, see the procedures of face-to-face transfer for yourself on the diagram below!

Face-to-face process of producing grahene

               So guys, we hope you enjoyed this post!
               Keep following us, and do comment for any
               enquiries or further understandings.

               Have a nice day!

  

Dr. Frog Saves Lives!

Welcome dear readers!

In this post, we will share an inspiring story of how frogs are able to inspire the medical engineering field and aid doctors in performing keyhole surgeries

In 2013, researchers at the University of Leeds has used the feet of tree frogs as an inspiration for the design of a tiny robot aimed to crawl inside patients’ bodies during keyhole surgeries (keyhole surgeries are surgeries that are carried out through a very tiny opening, and require the aid of special instruments to operate). These tiny little frog-like robots are designed to move across the internal abdominal wall of a patient, allowing surgeons to see what they are doing on a real-time video feed.

The tree frog’s feet are able to provide a solution to the critical problem of getting the device to hold onto wet, slippery tissue when it is vertical or upside down. Although it is relatively easy to find ways of sticking to or gripping tissue, the patterns on the frog’s feet offer a way to hold and release a grip without harming the patient.

This is due to the hexagonal patterned channels (the same hexagonal patterns that inspired the treads on tires mentioned in the previous post) on the feet of tree frogs. When these hexagonal toe pads get in contact with a wet surface build capillary bridges, a strong adhesion force is formed.

According to Professor Neville of Leeds:

"While basic capillary action works to an extent, the adhesion fails as soon as there is movement, so we have looked at the tiny mechanisms used in nature. It is only if you look at the scale of a thousandth of a millimetre, that you can get enough adhesion to give the robust attachment we need.” – tiny mechanisms implying the hexagonal pattern toe pads of frogs. 

The frog-inspired robot has four feet (as seen below) – each capable of holding a maximum of about 15 grams for each square centimetre in contact with a slippery surface. The researchers are aiming for a device that is 20×20×20mm, though existing prototypes are approximately double this target. 

Prototype of the frog inspired intra-abdominal robot attaching itself on a steel plate

(Source: University of Leeds, 2013)

Researchers are now trying to halve the size of their prototype so that it can fit through the incisions made during keyhole surgery. The prototype’s weight is currently of the order of 20 g and is still under the research of reducing its size and weight. 

This frog-like surgical device is not the only bio-inspired robots designed by the researchers of the University of Leeds. Other nature-inspired robots include an electric ‘mole’ designed to dig through rubble in disaster zones and a giant robo-worm (click to watch!) that mimics the nervous system of a real nematode worm designed as a crawling heat seeking equipment for search and rescue teams to deliver aids to trapped survivors collapse buildings.

We hope we inspired you and provided u an idea of how biomimetics can help in better the lives, infact even saving lives of others. Stay tuned for more!

Frogs are amazing creatures, aren't they?
:)

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Incorporating Aesthetic Features of Frogs in Engineering Design

"Design is not an academic activity, nor is it an act of democracy. Design is a positive reaction to dissatisfaction." – Micheal DiTullo

Helmets designed by DiTullo based on heads of frogs

Micheal Ditullo is a well established designer and the CEO of Frog Design Inc. He has mentioned that many of his inspirations of design comes from observing mother nature's creation. 

Writing in terms of biomimicry, this can be known as "innovation inspired by nature", whereby designers such as DiTullo got inspired by the designs of mother nature through observation and the act of mimicking.

Austin-Healey Sprite's Mark 1 mimicking eyes of a frog

Just like the helmet designed by DiTullo shown above which resembles some sort of frogly-shaped design, a vintage car named the Austin-Healey Sprite's Mark 1 shown on the right, also has its lights designed like frog's eyes. 

Observe this frog and see what designs inspire you !!!

The theory behind mimicking all these designs is known to a be the "reductive view of biomimicry approach". Reductive view (also known as "shallow biomimicry"),  is the basic level of biomimicry, which solely focuses on the imitation of "a few features and functions of nature" and implementing them into engineering or design domain.

All these designs were based on adapting the beauty and aesthetics of a frog. We can demonstrate an example of how the aesthetics were imitated or mimicked. Just look at the figure below, where the inspiration of design of both cars comes from frogs. However, the vehicle on the right shows a more "aggressive" or "assertive" appearance while on the other hand the vehicle on the left displays a rather "friendly" impression.

These designs were actually intentionally proposed in order to suit and cater to different types of market. The egotistical vehicle on the left targets a younger, wilder generation whilst the vehicle on the right that looks harmless targets the family-oriented market. Based on these designs, we now actually realized how much we can change a perspective just by altering the appearance.

Some other samples of design-oriented biomimicry that were based on inspiration of frogs can be seen below. We hope that this post has helped others in explaining what "reductive view of biomimicry" actually means and we hope that we have aspired you to apply what we have learnt today!

Frog inspired classical desktop by FrogDesign Inc.

Mercedez adapted this vehicle design concept from Poison Dart Frogs

Frog inspired bicycle with a sleek and speedy appearance

Let us know what you think in the comment box below!

Thank you for reading!

Stay tuned for more interesting posts!

:)

Inspiration for the Underwater World!

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are playing a growing role in modern sub ocean operations, generating a demand for faster, more maneuverable designs which are capable of deployments of increasingly longer duration. In order to meet these demands, vehicle developers have been looking at biological aquatic animals for inspiration. This is because these creatures have been evolving for millions of years, fish and cetaceans have developed a fast and efficient locomotion techniques, with levels of maneuverability that far outperform conventional engineered marine locomotion systems. 

Autonomous underwater vehicle biomimetic design  

The design of AUVs has a direct effect on factors such as speed, maneuverability, maximum deployment time, reliability, and general robustness. All these factors directly affect operational costs and thus commercial viability. In order to improve these factors, developers are looking towards the growing subject of biomimetics.

Tadpoles are potential creatures for research on developing underwater vehicles with higher capabilities. A recent developed robot inspired by tadpole is called a Tadro (TADpoleRObots) which basically seeks light since its the basic of photosynthesis. 

Listen to an inspiring interview by the developer from the link below:

Robots and Human Evolution

Tadro Prototype

Our Little Frogy is Hiding and Yes It is!

!

Have you ever wondered why frogs are green in colour or brown or even a mix of these colours, and why does their skin always have to be slimy?

Well the answer is quite straight forward. These colours are used as a protective characteristic in camouflaging the animal in its natural surroundings. Though our little pet does not have to worry about predators, this camouflaging behavior is a defensive attribute that has been adopted by all, if not most frogs. To some extent they do have the capability to change their skin colour. This is done by expanding or contracting the pigment cells in the skin, thus making the frog look darker or lighter.

On the second part regarding its skin, why does it have to be slimy? Well frogs don’t drink water. They absorb water through their skin. Frogs are slimy because their skin is covered in a layer of mucus. This mucus helps the skin retain moisture thus hydrating our little buddy at all times. Frogs also use their skin to breathe as its skin is permeable to water and air. Also, their slimy skin functions as another defensive attribute, where it makes the frog slippery thus easily able to escape from predators.

Application in Biomimicry 

Although camouflaging is not a specific characteristic that is observed only from frogs, but this observation has triggered me on this idea. Armed forces around the globe have used this idea as a war tactic in battlefields. The uniform, military equipment as well as their heavy vehicles are as the same colour of the environment. this makes it difficult for them to be spotted by their enemies. 

The slimy skin of frogs would not make an attractive feature in engineering design, however its behavior as a membrane that allows water and air to diffuse makes it very much interesting to apply. Semi-permeable membranes such as the reverse osmosis membrane as seen in the figure below are widely used in water purification which functions with the same concept of a frog skin. 

  

Inspiration of Toe Pads of Frogs

Dear readers, welcome to another update on our pet tadpole which metamorphosed into a frog! 

(Unfortunately, only one tadpole managed to morph and the others did not survive due to aggression between tadpoles during the stage of metamorphosis) 

Our pet tadpole (now turned frog) is alive and healthy!

A new environment has been set up as the froglet no longer lives in water but now primarily lives on land.
The drastic change in behavior and characteristics of tadpoles to frogs often amazes us as they turn from living in water to land, breathing from with gills to lungs and skin and from a herbivorous diet to insect-eating carnivores.

An artificial habitat was created using soil, rocks, pebbles, plants and water in a fish tank and is designed to mimic the natural habitat of the frog in order to ensure that the frog lives in a healthy and natural environment.
Bread was placed in the artificial habitat to attract small insects which made up the diet of the froglet.

Through our observation of the froglet, it has a strong grip on its limbs and it has an amazing ability to attach and move around walls, leaves and pebbles without slipping or falling off. 

We were very interested in learning about how the froglet manages to do that and maybe we could obtain some inspiration from the limbs or toes of the frog.

Therefore, some reading has been done and it was discovered that frogs actually have attachment pads consist of hexagonal arrays of approximately 10μm in size and is separated by a gap of approximately 1μm wide on their toe pads which can be seen in part c of the figure below.

(Source: Federie et al., 2006)

These hexagonally-shaped epidermal cells allows them to attach on slippery surfaces by means of wet adhesion. When the frog is climbing through wet surfaces, it squeezes out water from the contact surface through the 1μm gap between its hexagonal epidermal cells and this creates a tight grip that secures the position of the frog, enabling it to firmly and steadily hang on steep, wet and slippery surfaces.

(Source: Ambiguous @ Flickr, 2006)

Astonishingly, patterns and treads on tires were actually created by mimicking the toe-pads of frogs! 

Treads on tires we designed as such that when a car is being driven on a wet road, water flows out through the channels between the treads, thus increasing the friction between tires and road surfaces and ultimately provides a firm grip which significantly lowers the exposure of risks of accident when driving under wet conditions.

Other possible applications of this mechanism can also be applied to the shoes of mountain climbers or trackers to improve the grip of climbers on slippery or wet surfaces to prevent accidents which may be life-threatening when climbing at steep or high altitudes. 

Thank you! :)

Further reading:
Biomimetics: Lessons from Nature – An Overview