My DPhil research investigates how the morphology of spiders enables effective detection and discrimination of vibrations through various substrates.
The mechanoreceptors on the legs of spiders have been well studied, but the way in which the mass of the spider’s cephalothorax interacts with the legs to produce the dynamics of vibration sensing has been comparatively overlooked.
This research will use an interdisciplinary approach combining laser Doppler vibrometry, synchrotron CT scanning and mathematical modelling, and is part of a wider project aiming to develop bio-inspired vibration sensors.
