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The topology of the leg joints of the beetle Pachnoda marginata (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) and its implication for the tribological properties
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.1696
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2018-06-08
Sprache
English
Institut
TORE-DOI
Journal
Volume
3
Issue
2
Article Number
3020012
Citation
Biomimetics 3 (2): Artikel Nr. 3020012 (2018)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
MDPI
Locomotion of walking insects is exceptionally efficient. The function of their leg joints in different movement scenarios depends on their kinematics and contacting conditions between moving parts. The kinematics was previously studied in some insects, but contact mechanics within the joints remains largely unknown. In order to understand the complex topology of the contacting surfaces of the leg joints in the Congo rose beetle Pachnoda marginata peregrina (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), we have investigated the shape, the waviness, and the roughness of the joint base and its counter body by applying confocal laser scanning microscopy and white light interferometry. Additionally, we performed nanoindentation tests on the contacting joint surfaces, in order to analyze material properties (elasticity modulus and hardness) of the joint cuticle. We found two topological design principles of the contact surfaces that might be considered as adaptations for reducing frictional drag during leg movements. First, the contact pairs of all leg joints studied consist of convex and concave counterparts. Second, there is a smooth and a rough surface in contact in which microprotuberances are present on the rough surface. These principles might be potentially interesting for technical implications, to design bioinspired joints with both reduced friction and wear rate.
Subjects
locomotion
walking
leg
joints
topology
insect
Arthropoda
friction
contact mechanics
biotribology
DDC Class
500: Naturwissenschaften
570: Biowissenschaften, Biologie
620: Ingenieurwissenschaften
More Funding Information
Supported by the Leverhulme Trust (project CARBTRIB) and the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) research grant RGP0002/2017 to S.N.G.
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