Skin stays clean: earthworm

Skin of earthworms stays clean while moving through moist soil because of electroosmotic flow near the body.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Dirt/solids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Lubricant technique, especially for keeping moving parts clean in moist conditions.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"[S]oil does not seem to adhere to earthworm surface…An important phenomenon of earthworms moving in moist soil is that the electric potential exists on an earthworm tissue…The electroosmotic flow near an earthworm body surface is a basic electrokinetic phenomenon that takes place when the earthworm moves in moist soil. The flow in a micro thin layer of water is formed in the vicinity of the earthworm body surface as a result of the electric double layer (EDL) interaction. Such a micro scale electroosmotic flow plays the role of lubrication between the earthworm body surface and the surrounding medium of moist soil and reduces surface adhesion." (Zu and Yan 2006:179)

About the inspiring organism

Clitellata
Clitellata

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Lubricant technique, especially for keeping moving parts clean in moist conditions.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Mining, construction, manufacturing

Experts

Applied Thermofluids, Biomimetics and Modelling
Yuying Yan
School of the Built Environment, University of Nottingham

References

Zu YQ; Yan YY. 2006. Numerical simulation of electroosmotic flow near earthworm surface. Journal of Bionic Engineering. 3: 179-186.

Skin stays clean: earthworm

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