Meeting Abstract
Organisms moving at the outer known extremes of speeds and accelerations reveal new phenomena that push the boundaries of knowledge in numerous fields. The very first ultra-high speed images of mantis shrimp (stomatopod) raptorial strikes revealed imploding cavitation bubbles that emit heat equivalent to the surface of the sun. This discovery sparked research into the pathways and durations of energy transformation – from loading springs to cavitation implosion – that span the order of magnitude difference between one second and one year. The extraordinary cascade of energy flow and control in mantis shrimp strikes aligns with their evolutionary diversification to capture fish and crush snails, as well as their ritualized behaviors to ensure non-lethal fights. These biomechanical, behavioral, and evolutionary insights have stimulated a vibrant interdisciplinary field of materials and robotics. The dynamism of these systems has also attracted considerable attention from the public, press, and politicians. This talk will address the intersection of biological discovery with interdisciplinary and accessible research, and foster general discussion about the impacts and adventures of discovery science.
