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The functional significance of density and distribution of outgrowths on co-opted contact pairs in biological arresting systems |
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| Authors: | Alexander E. Filippov Valentin L. Popov Stanislav N. Gorb |
| Affiliation: | 1Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, 24098 Kiel, Germany;2Donetsk Institute for Physics and Engineering, National Academy of Science, s, 83114 Donetsk, Ukraine;3FG Systemdynamik und Reibungsphysik, Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Mechanik, Sekr. C8-4, Raum M 122, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany |
| Abstract: | Microstructures responsible for temporary arresting of contacting surfaces are widely distributed on surfaces in different organisms. Recent morphological studies show that these structures have different density of outgrowths and not ideal distribution pattern on both complementary parts of the contact. One can suggest that this difference is optimized by natural selection to get stronger mechanical arrest within the system. In this paper, we simulate such a system numerically, both in the frames of continuous contact and discrete dynamical models to prove this hypothesis and elucidate other aspects of optimization of such mechanical adhesive systems. |
| Keywords: | attachment adhesion arresting system structure biomechanics numerical simulation |