Evolutionary Light Structure Engineering (ELiSE) using pre-optimized lightweight shells
The Alfred Wegener Institute conducts research in the Arctic, the Antarctic and at temperate latitudes. It coordinates Polar research in Germany and provides both the necessary equipment and the essential logistic back up for polar expeditions. Recent additional research themes include North Sea Research, contributions to Marine Biological Monitoring, Marine Pollution Research, Investigation of naturally occuring marine substances and technical marine developments.
In their research Hamm et al. focus on functional morphology of the complex architectural features of diatom and protist shells, which are used as bioceramic lightweight armor. The methods of structural analyses include micromechanical tests and Finite Element Analyses. The shells of superficially similar diatoms, such as Asteromphalus, Asterolampra, Arachnoidiscus and Actinoptychus have been identified as potential lightweight structures to follow structural modifications caused by evolutionary strategic optimization. The highly complex mechanical and aesthetic creations of bioceramic lightweight shells surrounding biomineralized protists, especially diatoms and radiolarians, can crucially improve the performance of stable lightweight constructions.
The extremely high diversity of structures result from the selective advantage of different shell geometries with respect to a large variety of mechanical challenges combined with the need to minimize the investment in material and energy. The diatoms are estimated to include/comprise more than 100 000 species, each with specific shell geometry. The procedure Evolutionary Light Structure Engineering (ELiSE, AWI-Patent by C. Hamm PCT/DE2005/001543) uses a large but functionally confined group of organisms with clear, well-defined specifications, and creates a specific methodology, which is used to generate a pool of structural models. These 3D-geometries are then used in a rapid, rational method on the basis of standardized instruction. Hamm et. al. have presented their work at exhibitions (Rotary-bionicmodule Munich, 2005, Hannover Fair 2007) and other public presentations.
