On 27th March, the 9th ISBE Online Academic Forum on “Frontiers in Bionic Engineering” organized by the Youth Commission of ISBE was successfully held online. Prof. Jan-Henning Dirks from Hochschule Bremen (Germany) was invited to share the latest research progress of his group on skeletal-biomechanics. The forum was presided over by Dr. Hamed Rajabi, the vice-chairman of the Youth Commission from London South Bank University.

Many skeletal structures show fascinating evolutionary adaptations to all kinds of biomechanical challenges. Understanding the fundamental principles of these adaptations can be of great interest for bio-inspired applications. In this presentation, Prof. Dirks gave a detailed introduction of his team’s latest research progress on skeletal systems, which shows the extraordinary mechanical load adaptability of the insect exoskeleton and the developmental process of the starfish skeletal system with excellent biomechanical properties, revealing that mechanical load adaptability is a universal skeletal concept of arthropod exoskeleton and echinoderm endoskeleton. Some biomimetic projects inspired by skeletal systems, including softrobotic autonomous underwater vehicle (SAUV) and morphing structures were further introduced. The bionic strategies of Prof. Dirks from life inspiration to technology application opened a new vision and expanded new ideas for the participants.

The forum has attracted scholars and postgraduates from dozens of universities including University of Pennsylvania, University of Manchester, London South Bank University, Kiel University, Hochschule Bremen, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Jilin University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen University, Chongqing University, Jiangsu University, Hohai University, Tianjin Normal University, Henan University of Science and Technology, etc. The participants had a wide discussion on biomechanical test and robot design. 

“Frontiers in Bionic Engineering” online academic forum is a series of academic exchange activities initiated by the Youth Commission of ISBE aiming to create a compelling academic exchange platform for young scholars in the field of bionics. It has attracted thousands of scholars and students to participate since its launch.