MECHANICAL ENGINEERS marvel at the ability of
a common ant to lift weights many times heavier
than its own body. To understand this ability,
engineers at Ohio State University, U.S.A., reverse engineered
some of the ant’s anatomy, physical properties,
and mechanical functions by means of computer
models. The models were created using X-ray crosssectional
images (micro CT scans) and simulations of
the forces an ant generates when carrying loads.
A critical part of the ant’s anatomy is its neck,
which has to bear the full weight of loads grasped in
its mouth. Soft tissues within the ant’s neck bind with
the stiff exoskeleton of its thorax (body) and head in a
manner that mimics the interlocking of fingers in folded
hands. “The design and structure of this interface
is critical for the performance of the neck joint,” says
one ofthe researchers. “The unique interface between
hard and soft materials likely strengthens the adhesion
and may be a key structural design feature that
enables the large load capacity ofthe neck joint.” Researchers
hope that a clear grasp of how the ant’s
neck functions will contribute to advancements in the
design of man-made robotic mechanisms.
What do you think? Did the ant’s neck with its
complex and highly integrated mechanical systems
evolve? Or was it designed?
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