1.3.2 Multi-Dimensional and Dissipative Dynamical Systems: Exploration of the soft-matter phase transitions of fire ant aggregations
Abstract
Major Goals: The overall goal is to develop a program to discover adaptability principles of fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, under diverse conditions. This work will build on the PIs previous work on fire ants to discover principles of shelter construction, adaptation to vibration, internal dynamics of aggregations, and responses to external forces. The program will be composed of four research thrusts, each of which can operate separately but will ultimately interact: instrumentation development, biological studies, physical modeling and material properties characterization. These will advance biomechanics, robotics and active materials research. We have also been investigating the behavior of aggregations of another active matter system, black soldier fly larvae. These larvae are small soft insects on the same scale as fire ants and that also spend time in aggregations. Unlike fire ants, they do not create links between each other. However, they do generate coherent flows. They thus a simpler model for studying collective behavior, and makes it easier to separate the effects of biology and physics in behavior of aggregations. The principles found in this study will help guide in design of modular robots as well as the algorithms to guide them in building in dynamic environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1070515
Entities
People
- David L. Hu
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation