Thermoregulation in nature

An investigation of the properties of hornet silk and its application in

engineering

By

Dr Mark Worall

Department of Architecture and Built EnvironmentInstitute of Sustainable Energy Technology

Division of Energy and Sustainability

NNNC Researchers Forum, Sutton Bonnington, The University of Nottingham, 26 July 2010.

Energy consumption A/C office, UK, Pout et al (2000)

Typical heat losses, UK, RIBA (2008)

Engineering TRIZ. Vincent et al (2006)

Biological TRIZ. Vincent et al (2006)

TRIZ, Teorija Reshenija Izobretatel’skih Zadach (loosely translated as‘Theory of Inventive Problem Solving’).

Biomimetics/bionic engineering

Engineering and design inspired by nature

Biomimetics/bionic engineering examples

Burdock seeds Velcro

Biomimetics/bionic engineering examples

Lotus leaf Self cleaning

Paint Self cleaning

Insects

§Over 1 million described species§Over 75% of the total number of known species§First species to evolve social systems§First species to fly§Flight caused many species to be the first warm-blooded (endothermic) animals§Among the first thermoregulatory animals

The hot blooded insects. Heinrich (1993), HarvardUniversity Press, MASS, USA.

Nest building social insects

Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis)

§Nest building below ground§Lay eggs in combs §Eggs hatch and form a cocoon from silk spun by the larvae

Oriental Hornet nest. Ishay et al (2002).

Orientation of cocoons. Ishay, Barenholz-paniry (1995).

Thermoregulation. Kirshhoim, Ishay (2000).

Oriental Hornet silk. Kirshhoim, Ishay (2000).

(a) Sericin, (b) Fibroin

Current v time for temperature from 20°C to 33°C. Kirshhoim, Ishay (2000).

§Animals have adapted using thermoregulation

§ Can only use resources available locally

§Cannot survive by exhausting resources

§Have limited energy resources

Conclusions

§Thermoelectric materials to regulate temperature

§No mechanical equipment

§Dynamic response to driving forces

§Use of renewable materials with low embodied energy

Conclusions

References§Heinrich, J. (1993) The hot blooded insects: Strategies and mechanisms of thermoregulation, Harvard: Harvard University Press, USA, p 600.§Ishaya. J.S, Litinetsky, L, Pertsis, V, Linsky, D, Lusternik, V, Voronel, A. (2002b) Hornet silk: thermophysical properties, Journal of Thermal Biology. V 27, pp.7–15.§Ishay, J, Barenholz-paniry, V. (1995) Thermoelectric effect in hornet ( Vespa orientalis) silk and thermoregulation in a hornet’s nest, J. Insect Physics 4, Vol. 41, No. 9, pp.753-759.§Kirshboim, S, Ishay, J, S. (2000) Silk produced by hornets: thermophotovoltaic properties- a review, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A 127, pp.1-20.§Pout, C. H, MacKenzie, F, Bettle, R. (2002) Carbon Emissions from UK Non-Domestic Buildings 2000 and Beyond, BRE Report 442, UK.§RIBA. (2008) Principles of low carbon design and refurbishment, Royal Institute of British Architects, UK.§Vincent, J. F. V, Bogatyreva, Bowyer, A, Pahl, A. (2006) Biomimetics: its practice and theory, Journal of Royal Society, pp.1-12.

Questions

Contact

Dr Mark Worall

Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology

The University of Nottingham

Mark.worall@nottingham.ac.uk