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Advances in Science: NIRT- Bio-Inspired Actuating Structures


The Advances in Science:  NIRT- Bio-Inspired Actuating Structures Project is designed to bring cutting edge science to teachers and students.  This NSF science research grant is designed to study the mechanism by which biological systems solve complex engineering problems. Through the study of cilia and flagella movement as well as fluid movement in the lungs, scientists are learning how natural materials behave. This interdisciplinary project involves biologists looking at the flow of mucus to clear pathogens from the lungs, mathematicians creating models of non-Newtonian fluids propelled by thin, deformable rods, and materials scientists studying integrated biochemical devices (MicroTotalAnalytical Systems) for performing fluidic operations such as propulsion, mixing and separation. The education component of this project is designing microscopy and nanotechnology educational investigations to allow middle and high school teachers and students to these new advances in science.

The Project is funded by a National Science Foundation Grant and the education component is directed by Dr. Gail Jones (Science Education) from NCSU. Scientist partners are from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This project addresses the Friday Institute’s goals of developing innovative teacher professional development practices and resources and improving 21st century teaching and learning.

PROJECT TEAM