dtpolet @dtpolet@qoto.org

#SICB2024 Why are big animals geared differently to small ones? Classical treatments point to a speed-force tradeoff.... but what if it's all about speed? Join me in Ballroom C at 2pm to find out more
#biomechanics #muscle

Just came across the largest toadstool of my life! #fungusfriday

#mycology Mastodon, can I get an ID? Looks to me like a portobello, but I really don't know. Found just north of London UK #Whatisthisfungus

My mood today #academiclife #research #xkcd

https://xkcd.com/2797/

The results are in! Although a majority said (a), for this particular setup, (b) jumps higher.

This is NOT a general rule in biological jumpers, and is particular to how we've set up the problem (notably, no force-velocity relationship) #biomechanics

All that matters is the amount of work done by the muscle. Since there is no force-velocity relationship, the work done is proportional to the shortening distance. Case (b) wins because the larger in-lever allows the muscle to shorten more

We have an intuition that (a) should be better because biological jumpers look like that. But this is to accommodate power-velocity relationships in muscle, which this setup doesn't have.

My intuition was initially drawn to (c), but the physics clearly show (b) as the winner here. A good reminder to check model assumptions!

If anyone has a good real-world example analogous to this setup, let me know! Force-velocity is pervasive, though

Is it better to jump with a long foot or short foot?

The cases below only differ by whether the in-lever or out-lever is bigger. Which will jump higher?

Ignore contraction dynamics & imagine the body is constrained to go straight up.

Answer and discuss below 👇 #biomechanics

What does this #3Dprinted device have to do with #Lizard feet? To find out, come to my #SEB2023 talk Fri at 9:30 in Tinto for the Open #Biomechanics session: "Plantigrade feet avoid work through serial linkages"

You might even get a copy to take home (while supplies last)! 🦎👣

"In an effort to be both environmentally and fiscally responsible, [University] will contact only candidates receiving an interview"

Didn't know automated rejection emails were so expensive and polluting 💵 #academicjobs #AcademicLife

My #SICB2023 poster and video presentation on animal #locomotion and passive dynamic #robots are up on SICB+! Head to the meeting website to check them out
https://sicb.econference.io/public/5X9OIbU/main/sessions/9874/31486

Demos nearly ready for my poster presentation at #SICB2023 ! Come to P2-227 tomorrow (Thursday) 430-530 PM to play with these #ComparativeBiomechanics #dynamics #biorobotics

8 wheels = 96 "legs" to bring to #SICB2023 Keep your eyes out for the passive dynamic walkers on Thursday 👀

You know you're at a #veterinarian college when...

#academicchatter #LetItSnow #bioscience

This 3D printed bearing has no right to be this good. This is how it is straight off the printer (with just a little work to free the rollers), no lubricant https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2746804 #3Dprinting

#throwbackthursday to this #coolbugs I found in Bamfield BC 10 years ago. Harpaphe haydeniana, the "almond-scented millipede" (Almond scented because of the cyanide). I think they're pretty common but for an Alberta boy it was startling to see. Also #Mosstodon

Whelp... Should probably reduce the tolerances on the bearing #3dprinting

This is something I never considered before, but is a great use case for Dall-E and #AI generated art: as a resource for conceptual diagrams in papers.

Most of us researchers see how beautiful art can sell our research visions but lack artistic skills. These tools could help level the field somewhat.

(Figure from https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.11449)

Atlantic Wolffish skull at the Royal Veterinary College #anatomy museum. You can see where it gets its name- my what big teeth you have! #fish

Having too much fun #3dprinting at work. A billion points if you can guess what this is supposed to be

#Introduction I'm a postdoc working at the Structure and Motion Lab at the Royal Veterinary College. British-Canadian, husband and father of four amazing children. I'm into comparative #biomechanics and #robotics, building a career at the interface of the two. Also looking for ways to contribute to #greenenergy. #DisabledinSTEM with #adhd and anxiety. Tell me about your #coolbugs #coolrobots and #weirdanimals