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Friction modulation in limbless, three-dimensional gaits and heterogeneous terrains

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaotian Zhang

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Chmpaign)

  • Noel Naughton

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Chmpaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Tejaswin Parthasarathy

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Chmpaign)

  • Mattia Gazzola

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Chmpaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract

Motivated by a possible convergence of terrestrial limbless locomotion strategies ultimately determined by interfacial effects, we show how both 3D gait alterations and locomotory adaptations to heterogeneous terrains can be understood through the lens of local friction modulation. Via an effective-friction modeling approach, compounded by 3D simulations, the emergence and disappearance of a range of locomotory behaviors observed in nature is systematically explained in relation to inhabited environments. Our approach also simplifies the treatment of terrain heterogeneity, whereby even solid obstacles may be seen as high friction regions, which we confirm against experiments of snakes ‘diffracting’ while traversing rows of posts, similar to optical waves. We further this optic analogy by illustrating snake refraction, reflection and lens focusing. We use these insights to engineer surface friction patterns and demonstrate passive snake navigation in complex topographies. Overall, our study outlines a unified view that connects active and passive 3D mechanics with heterogeneous interfacial effects to explain a broad set of biological observations, and potentially inspire engineering design.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaotian Zhang & Noel Naughton & Tejaswin Parthasarathy & Mattia Gazzola, 2021. "Friction modulation in limbless, three-dimensional gaits and heterogeneous terrains," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26276-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26276-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Graham K. Taylor & Robert L. Nudds & Adrian L. R. Thomas, 2003. "Flying and swimming animals cruise at a Strouhal number tuned for high power efficiency," Nature, Nature, vol. 425(6959), pages 707-711, October.
    2. Xiaotian Zhang & Fan Kiat Chan & Tejaswin Parthasarathy & Mattia Gazzola, 2019. "Modeling and simulation of complex dynamic musculoskeletal architectures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
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