Read the Spanish translation: La Aplicación de Estudios Bio-Miméticos de los Sistemas Cardiovasculares de Jirafas y Serpientes Arborícolas en el Desarrollo de un Dispositivo de Asistencia Biventricular Modificado (MBVAD)

Abstract

Wind turbines are alternative sources of energy but are contributing to increased mortalities of flying animals. Solar panels, fuel cells, and wind turbines located on kites may reduce these mortalities.^1,6 Hydrogen and oxygen from the kite’s fuel cell are converted to water and electricity in the fuel cell reactor located on the ground.^2,11 However, pressure differentials of fluids due to changes in height represent major engineering hurdles that must be resolved before these kites can be located above the flight paths of birds and bats. To resolve these hurdles, a modified biventricular assist device (MBVAD) that mimics the biomechanics of the hearts of giraffes and arboreal snakes was developed.^3-5,9 The MBVAD utilizes micro-solenoid valves that mimic the function of the biological valves. Systolic and diastolic pressure in the water filled ventricles is induced by pneumatic expansion and contraction of rubber spheres.^3,10 This permits rubber tubes to transfer water from ground levels to the fuel cell of the kite, as well as conduct hydrogen and oxygen from a fuel cell on the kite to a fuel cell reactor on the ground. Therefore, the ecological drawbacks of wind turbines may be countered by the use of biological models to resolve engineering hurdles. Consequently, our experimental kite represents the product of One Science. It is an alternative energy production unit that was developed by integrating concepts from veterinary science, ecology, chemistry, biophysics, and engineering.^7,8

Acknowledgments

This project has been funded by the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Research Foundation. We are grateful for technical assistance from Dr. Ray Burns of the Louisville Zoo, Kentucky and Dr. Mark Stetter of Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom, Florida.

Literature Cited

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