Nature Inspired Mechanisms

DESIGN RESEARCH, MATERIALS, SYSTEM DESIGN, PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING, THEORETICAL

This project focuses on "More Than Human" methodologies, bridging nature, sustainability, usability, infrastructure, and human living. Through investigating the turgor pressure induced mechanisms of the folding leaves of the Mimosa pudica-- the Shame Plant, its functions that could aid in improving infrastructure products are identified. The results of the research are projected onto the final prototype, utilizing inspirations from plant mechanisms such as that of the Shame Plant to produce a soft robotics + pneumatic system, which can be applied to energy harvesting infrastructures to increase their sustainability.

Mimosa Pudica - The Shame Plant

Click Here to Explore: Shame Plant

Expansion,

Contraction,

Soft Robotics.

Utilizing soft robotics is an ideal way to recreate biomimicry mechanisms, as it mimics the soft, fluid movement of plants.

This project utilizes water pressure and a mechanical stimulus to control the motion of the soft robotics component, similar to how the Mimosa pudica controls its movements.

Caterpillar Robot by NC State University

Soft Robotic Mechanism

Click Here to Explore: Mechanism

Future Application
Nature Inspired Mechanisms on Sustainable Energy Infrastructures

References

Ashish (2016). Why Do Touch-Me-Not (Mimosa Pudica) Leaves Close When Touched? Science ABC, Nature.

A Water-Based Lunar Architecture (N.D). Lockheed Martin, Back to Human Space Exploration. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/space/human-space-exploration/water-based-lunar-architecture.html

Doyle, T. P. (2025, July 10). NASA Selects Instruments for Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle. Nasa Headquarters, news release 25-044. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-instruments-for-artemis-lunar-terrain-vehicle/

Fincannon, J. (2007). Lunar south pole illumination: review, reassessment, and power system implications. In 5th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit (IECEC) (p. 4700).

Hagihara, T., & Toyota, M. (2020). Mechanical signaling in the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica L. Plants, 9(5), 587.

Mehta, J (2022, September 23). Everything we know about the rover NASA’s Artemis astronauts will drive on the Moon. jahtan.space, articles. https://jatan.space/what-we-know-about-artemis-ltv/

Mostafa Seif (2020, May 3). NASA Futuristic Mars Rover. Grabcad Community. https://grabcad.com/library/nasa-futuristic-mars-rover-2

Powering the Moon: Vertical Solar Arrays Charge the Way (2025, April 9). Lockheed Martin Newsroom. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2025/powering-the-moon--vertical-solar-arrays-charge-the-way-.html

Sands, K (2021, November 19). Fission System to Power Exploration on the Moon’s Surface and Beyond. Nasa, article. https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/fission-system-to-power-exploration-on-the-moons-surface-and-beyond/

Savitz, E.J. (2025, September 22). The surprising link between the Hummer EV and the Eagle Lunar Terrain Vehicle. GM News, Technology. https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/topic/us/en/2025/sep/0922-the-surprising-link-between-the-hummer-ev-and-the-eagle-lunar-terrain-vehicle.html

Self-Portrait by Freshly Cleaned Opportunity Mars Rover in March 2014 (2014, April 17). Jet Propulsion Laborator, California Institute of Technology, image. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia18079-self-portrait-by-freshly-cleaned-opportunity-mars-rover-in-march-2014/