FURI | Fall 2018

Additive Manufacturing for the Validation of Biomimetic Design Principles: The Structural Mechanics of Insect Nests

This research is attempting to prove that a comparative study of insect nests (geometry, materials of construction and environmental conditions experienced) can yield design principles leading to breakthrough reductions in the weight of engineering honeycombs as well as advances towards key mechanical properties. Researchers will be collecting natural specimens and using optical inspection equipment to measure geometric characteristics. Once geometric characteristics have been cataloged, parallels will be drawn to known mechanical properties that the insect nests undergo. Once these parallels have been drawn; cad models must be created, printed via additive manufacturing, and undergo mechanical testing to validate these claims.