Topic: Skeletal-Biomechanics - from fundamental research to biomimetic applications
Presented by: Prof. Jan-Henning Dirks, Hochschule Bremen (Germany)
Chaired by:  Dr. Hamed Rajabi, London South Bank University (UK)
Time: March 27, 2024  07:00 PM (Beijing time)
Venue: Zoom ID: 542 622 3099; Passcode: 202361
Direct link：https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5426223099?pwd=ZkkrMFdHVHQvTG40MmptMCtWWUhXQT09&omn=85484847174
Organizer: Youth Commission of the ISBE

Jan-Henning Dirks studied biology and physics at the University of Bielefeld, focusing on the biomechanical properties of insect antenna. During his PhD at the University of Cambridge Jan-Henning worked on the biomechanical principles of fluid-mediated adhesion in insects at the group of Prof. Federle. Following his post-doctoral research on fracture properties of insect cuticle at the group of Prof. Taylor at Trinity College Dublin, Jan-Henning worked at R&D for Procter&Gamble in Frankfurt, focusing on competitive intelligence. As independent group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Jan-Henning and his team developed bio-inspired moth eye structures for commercial applications. Since 2016 Jan-Henning is professor for biological structures and biomimetics at the Biomimetics Innovation Centre at the Hochschule Bremen. His research interests cover fundamental biomechanical properties of insect cuticle and functional morphology of exoskeletal structures.

Abstract

Many skeletal structures show fascinating evolutionary adaptations to all kinds of biomechanical challenges. Understanding the fundamental principles of these adaptations can be of great interest for bio-inspired applications. In this presentation I will show several examples of our recent work on various parts of the insect exoskeleton and the starfish skeletal system and discuss the importance of fundamental research for biomimetic projects.