Explosive plants and ballistic tongues: elasticity in action
Prof. Derek E. Moulton ( Associate Professor in Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford )
- 14:00 5th December 2014 ( Michaelmas Term 2014 )Mathematical Institute, Room L3
Almost every biological entity is faced with the challenge of motion. Consequently, nature has produced countless ingenious solutions to the task of getting from point A to point B. At the fundamental level, motion involves converting potential energy to kinetic energy. A particularly intriguing approach is to utilise elastic energy, which when released can produce very rapid motion. In this talk, I will discuss two innovative uses of elasticity, one from the plant world and one from the animal kingdom.