Meeting Abstract

P2-213.5  Sunday, Jan. 5 03:30 – 05:30  Elephant Trunks Behave like Telescoping Poles SCHULZ, AK*; RINCON, C; HU, DL; Georgia Institute of Technology School of Mechanical Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology School of Mechanical Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology School of Mechanical Engineering and Biology akschulz@gatech.edu http://www.hu.gatech.edu/Schulz/

Elephants are the construction cranes of the animal kingdom with the ability to move them to lift heavy objects and reach to branches of trees for food. In this experimental study, we investigate the limits and techniques elephants use to grasp objects outside their reach. We show how elephants extend their trunks like that of a telescoping pole, by first elongating the tip of their trunk and proceeding by elongating the base of the trunk 200 milliseconds later. We show the different phases an elephant exhibits when reaching hanging, lifting, and reaching and describe the transitions between these phases. Examining the strains imposed along the trunk we find if the trunk maintains constant volume during elongation as it can elongate to 125% of its hanging length. Finally, we have examined the trunk skin to determine if wrinkles play a mechanical role in reducing strain and damage to skin. These findings may inspire work to develop soft robotics that exhibit high strength and flexibility.