2016 Volume 72 Issue 2 Pages I_3-I_11
Architectural structure of living systems is well-designed in a functional point of view. It is an interesting issue how such functional structure is self-organized in terms of algorithm and rule of design. In this report, we studied a method of biomimetic design for topological optimization, based on the equations of motion for cellular movement in an amoeboid organism of Physarum plasmodium. The key concept is use-and-growth rule: a part of system grows to be reinforced when it is used more often. As this rule is observed in a wide range of physiological processes, we compared similarity and difference in the model equations that can be described the rules in general. First we examined a possible application of the equation to modeling and remodeling of human leg bone. Second we designed a shape and structure of cantilever by using the biomimetic equations for use-and-growth rule. Discussion was made on possibility of biomimetic design according to the use-and-growth rule.
