Resilin gives wings flexibility: insects
The wings of many insects are quite flexible due to the presence of the protein resilin in the wing joint.
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"The wing joint is comprised of a special protein, called resilin, which has tremendous flexibility. In laboratories, chemical engineers are working to reproduce this chemical, which demonstrates properties far superior to natural or artificial rubber. Resilin is a substance capable of absorbing the force applied to it as well as releasing the entire energy back once that force is lifted. From this point of view, the efficiency of resilin reaches the very high value of 96%. This way, approximately 85% of the energy used to lift the wing is stored and reused while lowering it. The chest walls and muscles are also built to help this phenomenon." (Yahya 2002: 32)
Coleoptera
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist
Application Ideas: More efficient machines, tires, high-efficiency industrial rubber, microactuators, nanosprings, resilient deployable structures such as solar sails or tents.
Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, automotive, industrial engineering, deployable structures.
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