Cilia (lat. Singular cilium for eyelash) are hair-like plasma processes of eukaryotic cell membranes. They are used for locomotion in unicellular organisms and are found on organ systems in multicellular organisms. In the bronchial tubes they ensure the removal of mucus from the lungs and in the fallopian tubes they transport the egg cell. The metachronous movement of cilia fields is a very efficient form of transport.
In contrast to synchronous movement, metachronous movement of elements does not occur simultaneously, but with a time delay. This results in a wave motion on the surface of the cilia field. The transport direction of an object placed on the cilia corresponds to the direction of the wave.
In this research project the transferability of the principle of material transport based on the natural model of cilia to the macroscopic level is investigated. The focus of the investigations is on the transferability of the principle of material transport to the macroscopic level:
a modular structure of such a transport principle according to (bio-)mechatronic aspects
Realization of a multidirectional transport (both to and fro and sideways)
Optimization of the effector elements(cilia)
Integration of effector and drive element
Investigation and optimization of the movement phases of several interconnected cilia
Publications
Kneip, Theresa; Heubach, Josephine; Seitelmann, Sebastian; Wagner, Philipp; Witte, Hartmut; Helbig, Thomas; Voges, Danja: Construction of a cilia inspired carriage system. - In: Engineering for a changing world : 59th IWK, Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium, Technical University of Ilmenau, September 11-15, 2017 : proceedings. - Ilmenau : ilmedia / Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium. Technical University of Ilmenau ; 59 (Ilmenau) : 2017.09.11-15., (2017), 11 p. in total http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:ilm1-2017iwk-105:3
Voges, Danja; Fremerey, Max; Hörnschemeyer, Dorothee; Krekeler, Malte; Schomburg, Karsten; Schilling, Cornelius; Witte, Hartmut: The cilia field as a paragon for technical macro transport. - In: Shaping the future by engineering : 58th IWK, Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium, Ilmenau University of Technology, 8 - 12 September 2014 ; proceedings. - Ilmenau : University Library, ilmedia / Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium. Ilmenau University of Technology ; 58 (Ilmenau) : 2014.09.08-12., (2014), 3 p. in total http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:ilm1-2014iwk-180:7
Student work
Heubach, J. ; Kneip, T.; Seitelmann, S.; Wagner, P.: "Development of a cilien-inspired demonstrator for the transport of materials" (design project) Hörnschemeyer, D. ; Krekeler, M.; Schomburg, K.: "Media transport by cilia impact - a functional model" (design project)
