Derek E. Moulton
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View article: Uncovering flow and deformation regimes in the coupled fluid–solid vestibular system
Uncovering flow and deformation regimes in the coupled fluid–solid vestibular system Open
In this paper, we showcase how flow obstruction by a deformable object can lead to symmetry breaking in curved domains subject to angular acceleration. Our analysis is motivated by the deflection of the cupula, a soft tissue located in the…
View article: Hierarchical mechanical patterns in morphogenesis: from mollusc shells to plants, fungi and animals
Hierarchical mechanical patterns in morphogenesis: from mollusc shells to plants, fungi and animals Open
Hierarchical patterns, made up of subunits of different sizes intercalated with each other, are present in diverse organisms spanning the plant, fungi and animal kingdoms. Despite these structures appearing in different kingdoms, at differ…
View article: Cyclic loading of a heterogeneous non-linear poroelastic material
Cyclic loading of a heterogeneous non-linear poroelastic material Open
The solid strain and fluid flux response to cyclic loading of a poroelastic material with material heterogeneity are studied. The effect is found to vary with the type of load and heterogeneity, and is non-negligeable.
View article: Uncovering the mechanical secrets of the squirting cucumber
Uncovering the mechanical secrets of the squirting cucumber Open
Rapid movement is rare in the plant kingdom, but a prerequisite for ballistic seed dispersal. A particularly dramatic example of rapid motion in plants is the squirting cucumber ( Ecballium elaterium ) which launches its seeds explosively …
View article: Ultra-fast physics-based modeling of the elephant trunk
Ultra-fast physics-based modeling of the elephant trunk Open
With more than 90,000 muscle fascicles, the elephant trunk is a complex biological structure and the largest known muscular hydrostat. It achieves an unprecedented control through intricately orchestrated contractions of a wide variety of …
View article: Active shape control by plants in dynamic environments
Active shape control by plants in dynamic environments Open
Plants are a paradigm for active shape control in response to stimuli. For instance, it is well known that a tilted plant will eventually straighten vertically, demonstrating the influence of both an external stimulus, gravity, and an inte…
View article: Minimal Design of the Elephant Trunk as an Active Filament
Minimal Design of the Elephant Trunk as an Active Filament Open
One of the key problems in active materials is the control of shape through actuation. A fascinating example of such control is the elephant trunk, a long, muscular, and extremely dexterous organ with multiple vital functions. The elephant…
View article: Minimal activation with maximal reach: Reachability clouds of bio-inspired slender manipulators
Minimal activation with maximal reach: Reachability clouds of bio-inspired slender manipulators Open
In the field of soft robotics, flexibility, adaptability, and functionality define a new era of robotic systems that can safely deform, reach, and grasp. To optimize the design of soft robotic systems, it is critical to understand their co…
View article: A multiscale computational framework for the development of spines in molluscan shells
A multiscale computational framework for the development of spines in molluscan shells Open
From mathematical models of growth to computer simulations of pigmentation, the study of shell formation has given rise to an abundant number of models, working at various scales. Yet, attempts to combine those models have remained sparse,…
View article: Minimal design of the elephant trunk as an active filament
Minimal design of the elephant trunk as an active filament Open
One of the key problems in active materials is the control of shape through actuation. A fascinating example of such control is the elephant trunk, a long, muscular, and extremely dexterous organ with multiple vital functions. The elephant…
View article: The mathematics and mechanics of tug of war
The mathematics and mechanics of tug of war Open
In this paper, we propose a mechanical model for a game of tug of war (rope pulling). We focus on a game opposing two players, modelling each player’s body as a structure composed of straight rods that can be actuated in three different wa…
View article: An automated method for tendon image segmentation on ultrasound using grey-level co-occurrence matrix features and hidden Gaussian Markov random fields
An automated method for tendon image segmentation on ultrasound using grey-level co-occurrence matrix features and hidden Gaussian Markov random fields Open
The GLCM based segmentation of tendons under ultrasound resulted in distinct segmentations between healthy and tendinopathic tendons and provides a potential tool to objectively quantify damage in tendinopathy.
View article: Active shape control by plants in dynamic environments
Active shape control by plants in dynamic environments Open
Plants are a paradigm for active shape control in response to stimuli. For instance, it is well-known that a tilted plant will eventually straighten vertically, demonstrating the influence of both an external stimulus, gravity, and an inte…
View article: Mechanics reveals the role of peristome geometry in prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants ( <i>Nepenthes</i> )
Mechanics reveals the role of peristome geometry in prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants ( <i>Nepenthes</i> ) Open
Carnivorous pitcher plants ( Nepenthes ) are a striking example of a natural pitfall trap. The trap’s slippery rim, or peristome, plays a critical role in insect capture via an aquaplaning mechanism that is well documented. While the peris…
View article: Harnessing oscillatory fluid behaviour to improve debris wash-out in ureteroscopy
Harnessing oscillatory fluid behaviour to improve debris wash-out in ureteroscopy Open
In ureteroscopy, a common method for kidney stone removal, a ureteroscope is inserted into the patient’s kidney, through which working tools such as a laser are inserted. During the procedure, the renal space proximal to the scope tip is i…
View article: A multiscale computational framework for the development of spines in molluscan shells
A multiscale computational framework for the development of spines in molluscan shells Open
From mathematical models of growth to computer simulations of pigmentation, the study of shell formation has given rise to an abundant number of models, working at various scales. Yet, attempts to combine those models have remained sparse,…
View article: Mechanics reveals the role of peristome geometry in prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants (<i>Nepenthes</i>)
Mechanics reveals the role of peristome geometry in prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants (<i>Nepenthes</i>) Open
Carnivorous pitcher plants ( Nepenthes ) are a striking example of a natural pitfall trap. The trap’s slippery rim, or peristome, plays a critical role in insect capture via an aquaplaning mechanism that is well documented. Whilst the peri…
View article: Bayesian design optimization of biomimetic soft actuators
Bayesian design optimization of biomimetic soft actuators Open
The design of versatile soft actuators remains a challenging task, as it is a complex trade-off between robotic adaptability and structural complexity. Recently, researchers have used statistical and physical models to simulate the mechani…
View article: Role of Kidney Stones in Renal Pelvis Flow
Role of Kidney Stones in Renal Pelvis Flow Open
Ureteroscopy is a commonly performed medical procedure to treat stones in the kidney and ureter using a ureteroscope. Throughout the procedure, saline is irrigated through the scope to aid visibility and wash-out debris from stone fragment…
View article: Minimal Morphoelastic Models of Solid Tumour Spheroids: A Tutorial
Minimal Morphoelastic Models of Solid Tumour Spheroids: A Tutorial Open
Tumour spheroids have been the focus of a variety of mathematical models, ranging from Greenspan's classical study of the 1970s through to contemporary agent-based models. Of the many factors that regulate spheroid growth, mechanical effec…
View article: Active filaments I: Curvature and torsion generation
Active filaments I: Curvature and torsion generation Open
In many filamentary structures, such as hydrostatic arms, roots, and stems, the active or growing part of the material depends on contractile or elongating fibers. Through their activation by muscular contraction or growth, these fibers wi…
View article: A Rod Theory for Liquid Crystalline Elastomers
A Rod Theory for Liquid Crystalline Elastomers Open
We derive a general constitutive model for nematic liquid crystalline rods. Our approach consists in reducing the three-dimensional strain-energy density of a nematic cylindrical structure to a one-dimensional energy of a nematic rod. The …
View article: The physical basis of mollusk shell chiral coiling
The physical basis of mollusk shell chiral coiling Open
Significance A theoretical model suggests that a mechanically induced twist of the soft body underlies the formation of helicospiral shells in snails and ammonites and also accounts for the startling and unique meandering shells observed i…
View article: Shape optimisation for faster washout in recirculating flows
Shape optimisation for faster washout in recirculating flows Open
View article: Multiscale integration of environmental stimuli in plant tropism produces complex behaviors
Multiscale integration of environmental stimuli in plant tropism produces complex behaviors Open
Significance To survive and to thrive, plants rely on their ability to sense multiple environmental signals, such as gravity or light, and respond to them by growing and changing their shape. To do so, the signals must be transduced down t…
View article: The role of mechanics in the growth and homeostasis of the intestinal crypt
The role of mechanics in the growth and homeostasis of the intestinal crypt Open
We present a mechanical model of tissue homeostasis that is specialised to the intestinal crypt. Growth and deformation of the crypt, idealised as a line of cells on a substrate, are modelled using morphoelastic rod theory. Alternating bet…
View article: Multiscale integration of environmental stimuli in plant tropism produces complex behaviors
Multiscale integration of environmental stimuli in plant tropism produces complex behaviors Open
Plant tropism refers to the directed movement of an organ or organism in response to external stimuli. Typically, these stimuli induce hormone transport that triggers cell growth or deformation. In turn, these local cellular changes create…