"ZOOM" SEMINAR

School of Mechanical Engineering Seminar
Monday, May 3 2021 at 14.00

Jumping, Flying, Swimming and Sniffing –

Biomimetics Research at University of Manchester

Ben Parslew 

"קפיצה, תעופה, שחיה וריחרוח"- מחקר ביומימטי באוניברסיטת מנצ'סטר

Biography

Ben Parslew’s academic background is in aerospace engineering, fluid dynamics and biomechanics. His research lies at the interface of engineering and biology, with particular interests in animal locomotion, unmanned aerial vehicles, aerodynamics, robotics and computer animation. Ben is a senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at University of Manchester in UK, and also a visiting lecturer at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

Abstract

This presentation will discuss the links between animals and robotics that are being explored by the University Manchester. We follow two complementary approaches: the first is biomimetics – where nature inspires design; the second is to use engineered systems to gain insights into the natural world. An example of this second approach would be to engineer a legged walking robot – not because legs are necessarily better than wheels – but just as a means of gaining a deeper insight into the biomechanics of how animals walk.

In this presentation a summary will be given of the biological systems on which we have focussed. Many of these are connected to flight, especially birds – whether it be perching pigeons or swimming penguins. We have also worked on flying insects, both from a theoretical perspective and in micro-UAV development. And we have worked on non-flying animals: some examples of physical hopping robots will be shown, including our current work on designing a hopping robot for lunar exploration. Aside from mobile robots, the presentation will overview our other biologically  relevant engineering projects on odour plume tracking, and our goal to develop mobile sniffer robots that can help to manage urban air pollution in future cities.

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