Bio-inspired mechanics of animal and plant morphology
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Morphological characteristics are universally observed across a wide range of natural and engineered systems. These features play a critical role in fields ranging from fundamental science to advanced technologies. In particular, morphology is essential for understanding the structure and function of living organisms and forms the foundation of disciplines such as biomechanics and biofluid dynamics. In my research, I focus on characterizing key morphological features and their dynamic responses in biological structures, applying principles from fluid mechanics and biomechanics. For example, I studied the complex nasal structures of animals and developed tortuous filtering systems inspired by these natural designs, evaluating their performance. I also analyzed how the long and narrow snouts of foxes facilitate snow penetration during hunting. On the plant side, I investigated how a piezoelectric beam vibrates under droplet impacts, inspired by leaf fluttering in response to external forces. This research supports the development of rain-based energy harvesting by analyzing vibration patterns and refining beam dimensions for improved efficiency. Collectively, these case studies demonstrate how morphology influences mechanical or fluid-dynamic performance in both animal and plant systems. By examining these systems across different contexts, the research reveals how nature's morphological adaptations can be used to improve functionality in engineered systems, offering insights for practical bio-inspired applications.