Energy stored to amplify power: locusts

1 of 1 Green Milkweek Locust / Martin Heiga.. / License

The hindlegs of grasshoppers and locusts store energy in chitonous apodemes (muscle attachment sites) in order to amplify jumping power.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Protein-based elastomeric materials and nanosprings, highly efficient actuators.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"And that's where energy storage comes in. Down to the size of a trout or a squid tentacle, unaided muscle can do a decent job with nothing more than ordinary leverage. Below that, muscle needs help; in practice, energy is put in slowly and stored elastically. Some kind of trigger then releases it at a higher rate. Work and energy may be conserved, but power gets amplified…A locust or grasshopper jumping with its hindlegs stores up work in chitinous apodemes and gets a tenfold power amplification (Bennet-Clark 1975)…Each of these creatures has some kind of a mechanical catch to prevent premature extension while the work is being put in; the specific arrangements, though, are different for each case." (Vogel 2003:476)

About the inspiring organism

Orthoptera
Orthoptera

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

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Protein-based elastomeric materials and nanosprings, highly efficient actuators.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Engineering, nanotechnolgy, MEMS

References

Steven Vogel. 2003. Comparative Biomechanics: Life's Physical World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 580 p.

Bennet-Clark, HC. 1975. The energetics of the jump of the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Journal of Experimental Biology. 63: 53-83.

Energy stored to amplify power: locusts

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