Plankton biomechanics and bionics
Functional Morphology of planktonic species - stable lightweight constructions developed by evolution
Planktonic organisms such as diatoms and radiolaria have developed a large variety of mechanically highly efficient exoskeletons. The combination of a floating lifestyle and high resilience against mechanical attack resulted in the evolution of highly sophisticated stable lightweight constructions.
The mechanic properties and the evolution of these structures are investigated at the Alfred Wegener Institute and the Helmholtz Virtual Institute PlanktonTech.
Research topics are:
- Evolution of marine planktonic organisms
- Biodiversity as a function of functional aspects
- Plankton ecology in polar and temperate oceans
- Material research (bioceramics)
Results of our studies have been presented during different exhibitions and trade fairs, e.g. in Bremen, Berlin, Jena and during the trade fair held in Hannover
Arachnoidiscus
Method Evolutionary Light Structure Engineering (ELiSE) - Variety, esthetics and efficiency
Lightweight construction has a key position in the development of sustainable products. It will be increasingly pplied in industries such as automative, aerospace, (offshore) construction engineering, architecture, medical engineering, naval engineering and many others.
Using the large variety of pre-optimized structures of planktonic organisms via the award-winning method ELiSE (Evolutionary Light Structure Engineering) enables us to rapidly realize highly sophisticated, efficient lightweight constructions. By the development of a 3D-Database, which includes numerous lightweight construction and their mechanical performance as a function of standard loadcases, we can offer diverse solutions for almost any problem of lightweight structures. Therefore, the method is used in diverse industries, therefore strong partners, such as the AWI-technology-transfer, the RLE international GmbH, and the recently founded IMARE GmbH, are essential for an efficient use of the ELiSE method. Further information is given directly on the ELiSE-Homepage.
The following industries are being adressed:
Automotive industries, naval architecture and offshore industries, aerospace engineering, architecture and design, construction engineering, medical engineering.
