Our studies of MEMS and NEMS devices have drawn our attention to some of the small-scale sensors and transducers that nature exploits. Nature’s design is particularly very elegant and most of the times awe inspiring. Prof. Rudra Pratap‘s group, in collaboration with colleagues from biology, are studying the mechanics of insect halteres as gyroscopic sensors, cricket harp as an efficient sound radiator and cell oscillations for signals of cell pathology. These are all incredibly complex and equally fascinating “devices” whose understanding has a huge bearing on our design of micro and nano scale systems.
Fig. 1 Finite element modeling and simulation of the cricket harp- the primary sound radiating structure
Fig. 2 Haltere of a Soldier fly
Professor |