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ME40212: Biomimetics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Literature Review (CW 40%)
  • Coursework (CW 40%)
  • Jumping Mechanism Report and Test (CW 20%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: ME40212 - Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce the materials, structures and mechanisms of natural organisms.
To show how organisms can be analysed as engineering structures using standard techniques.
To extract principles of biological structures and reformulate them as engineering structures.
To use concepts from biology to solve problems in engineering.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Understand fundamental concepts of biological design such as scaling, hierarchy of structures and materials, designing for high strains and low loads, energy conservation, adaptive design, damage control.
* Understand the implications of biology for advanced engineering and product design.

Skills:
Problem solving; written communication; working independently - taught, facilitated and assessed.

Content:
Biological fibres, fillers and ceramics; composites; soft structures; inflatable structures; mechanical properties and testing; structural hierarchy; control of fracture; scaling; factors of safety; cellular materials; design of skeletons and other supportive structures; locomotion (walking, running, flying, swimming); power amplification mechanisms; senses; design of plants, prestressing; deployable structures; design of simple robots; tough materials (armour, blast containment); design for fatigue; adaptive structures; smart materials; neural networks; genetic algorithms and programming; structures made by animals and their environmental advantages; architecture. Topics for self study that could be examined.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME40212 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM41 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM41 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.