We are biomimicing human skin on the fingers

What are we biomimicing?

Create wrinkles

؜Improving grip wet objects by channeling water away.

Human hands wrinkle when wet due to an autonomic nervous system response that constricts blood vessels beneath the skin, causing the tissue to shrink and form ridges

How does it work?

We are implying this to make the shoes surface mor grippy.

Problem

People are slipping on the smooth surface when it is wet.

Or Elderly could slip particulary

Solution

Create a surface that is smooth when dry and has bumps for improved friction when wet. Helps the elderly

Conceptual Precedent

Technical Precedent

Sketch

1st prototype

2nd prototype

Next Steps

Start writing code for the Aurdione connect to moisture sencor.

؜Consider a better way to create a grip with shoes when the surface is wet.

Additional Idea

Mid Review Feedback

Change from switching the ground to a shoe

then a different switch

ChatGpt feedback

Chat GPT usage

Post Mid Review Iteration 1

Post Mid Review initial iterations

#include <Stepper.h>

const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;

// IN1, IN3, IN2, IN4

Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 11, 10, 12);

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println("Stepper motor test starting...");

myStepper.setSpeed(10); // RPM

}

void loop() {

Serial.println("Turning clockwise");

myStepper.step(2048);

delay(1000);

Serial.println("Turning counterclockwise");

myStepper.step(-2048);

delay(1000);

}

Code evolution

#include <Stepper.h>

const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;

Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 11, 10, 12);

const int waterSensorPin = 2; // digital water sensor pin

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println("Stepper motor water demo starting...");

pinMode(waterSensorPin, INPUT);

myStepper.setSpeed(10); // RPM

}

void loop() {

int sensorState = digitalRead(waterSensorPin);

if (sensorState == HIGH) { // wet

Serial.println("Sensor wet! Motor spinning for 5 seconds...");

unsigned long startTime = millis();

while (millis() - startTime < 5000) { // spin for 5 seconds

myStepper.step(1); // one step at a time for smooth motion

}

Serial.println("Motor stopped.");

}

else { // dry

Serial.println("Sensor dry. Motor stopped.");

delay(500); // small delay to avoid flooding the serial monitor

}

}

#include <Stepper.h>

const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 11, 10, 12);

const int waterSensorPin = A1; // analog water sensor pinconst int threshold = 300;

void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); Serial.println("Stepper motor water direction demo starting...");

myStepper.setSpeed(10); // RPM}

void loop() { int sensorValue = analogRead(waterSensorPin);

Serial.print("Water sensor value: "); Serial.println(sensorValue);

unsigned long startTime = millis();

if (sensorValue > threshold) { Serial.println("Wet detected → Clockwise for 5 seconds");

while (millis() - startTime < 5000) { myStepper.step(1); // clockwise } } else { Serial.println("Dry detected → Counterclockwise for 5 seconds");

while (millis() - startTime < 5000) { myStepper.step(-1); // counterclockwise } }

Serial.println("Motor stopped.\n"); delay(1000); // pause before next reading}

#include <Stepper.h>

const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;

Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 11, 10, 12);

const int waterSensorPin = A1;

const int threshold = 300;

bool lastWetState = false; // remembers previous state

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println("Stepper motor water direction demo starting...");

myStepper.setSpeed(10); // RPM

}

void loop() {

int sensorValue = analogRead(waterSensorPin);

bool isWet = sensorValue > threshold;

Serial.print("Water sensor value: ");

Serial.println(sensorValue);

// ✅ Detect state change

if (isWet != lastWetState) {

unsigned long startTime = millis();

if (isWet) {

Serial.println("Wet detected → Clockwise for 5 seconds");

while (millis() - startTime < 5000) {

myStepper.step(1); // clockwise

}

} else {

Serial.println("Dry detected → Counterclockwise for 5 seconds");

while (millis() - startTime < 5000) {

myStepper.step(-1); // counterclockwise

}

}

Serial.println("Motor stopped.\n");

// ✅ Update last state AFTER motor action

lastWetState = isWet;

}

delay(200); // small delay to reduce sensor noise

}

Final wiring and code

Battery port

Nano Arduino

Water sensor

Stepper motor

Tinker unit 3d print

؜with very little help from Mr Bansiter

؜

Shoe Add-on

؜Sole cover with bumps

؜Rim of shoe lining

؜Shin cover

Video of shoe

Video of arduino/motor

A picture in the booth of final project

Final Project

Thank you

To Mr. Danziger, Mr. Lew, Mr. Banister and Ms. Maiurano for helping us with our project

Evocative Image

We wanted visitors and new students to have an easier time getting around campus, leading us to think of this project

Thesis Statement

؜From researching of Physarum polycephalum, a slime mould that is capable of finding the shortest distance between two points (or more), we were inspired and decided to create a digital system that mimics this natural phenomenon.

[FysaMap = Fessy + Physarum + Map]

Conceptual Precedent

We took the idea of mimicking slime mould from it mimicking tokyo station.

Technical Precedent

We took the idea of a GPS, which shows the directions to get from points A to B in the fastest amount of time.

Prototypes/Early versions

Day 1 - Code for Frontend (Website)

؜<-- CSS Code

HTML Code

↓

First day - Frontend (Website) in action

؜Final (frontend) - Second page and more details

<-- Second page code (HTML)

Text animation -->

<-- mouse effect (like the slime)

Code for Backend Iteration 1

Main Algorithm

Problem was that it wasn't the most efficient way and it has some bugs in it that were not solvable

Set Up

Conversion function

Code for Backend Iteration 2

Main Algorithm

Path Reconstruction and Output

Setup process

؜Uses BFS logic, create a queue of things to check, visit the ones that have not been visited yet, mark the path that it came from, stops when it reaches the destination, reconstruct the path by getting the data stored.

Backend (Program) in Action

What we improved on using the Mid Review Feedback

؜After the Mid Review, we managed to link the C++ to the frontend code so it would be useable on the site (instead of separate code). We also improved visibility and sizing on other devices, allowing the user experience to be better.

؜AI Feedback

We used VSC's (visual studio code) internal code bot to generate some feedback, that we used to help us work on and link the frontend and backend.

Finished Code images

How Is This Biomimicry??

Some HTML Code

More HTML Code

CSS Code

Some of our Javascript Code (This is only one file with 4000 lines of code (partially auto-generated file), there are also other javascript files)

Backend Code 2.0

Initialization

If we had more time...

؜If we had more time, we would find a way to show the route visually (like literally mimicking the slime mould's path), but since none of us were proficient in C++ and JavaScript linking, this task proved too difficult for three 9th graders to complete in 2 weeks.

FINAL

Thanks for Listening!

؜We are creating a building that is resistant to earthquakes by using the structure of honeycomb and the durability of palm trees

Thesis

؜Conceptual Precedent

؜Technical Precedent

Center of mass is much lower

Initial Sketch

Iterations

Iterations

Iterations

Feedback

؜1. Taper off towards the top of the building

2. When we add the honeycomb, try to remove other things in order to not add weight

ChatGPT Feedback

1. Use honeycomb like a sandwich floor
2. Symmetric layout
3. Light roof

Regular Building

Foundation of Building

Weight to lower center of mass

( Palm Tree)

Honeycomb in floors

Walls

Final Image

Foundation

Building

Flexible Joint like Palm Tree

Normal Building

Biomimicry Building

Our idea was to make a window that would close on its own when it detects smoke. This would be imitating the clam's closing of its shell when it comes into contact with harmful substances.

Thesis

Biomiciry

1. Clams open slowly when water conditions are safe, and it lets water flow into the shell

1. When clams feel or detect dangerous water conditions or pollution they shut quickly to block out the bad materials

1. When the clam opens it can filter food (tiny particles) from the water to fill up on nutrients

؜Conceptual Precedent

Technical Precedent

Additional Precedent

؜Original Sketch

First Iteration

Second Iteration

؜Rapid Prototype GIF

Mid-Review/Chatgpt Feedback

After mid-review, we decided to change our idea to a vent mechanism that would open and close based on smoke because it was more practical. This would still mimic the clam's opening and closing from harmful substances. Also, ChatGPT helped us understand how the vent system could work with elements like the servo motor.

؜Arduino Code for Smoke Detector and Servo

Vent Mechanism

We originally decided to base our mechanism of the vent on a window blind where we would have different flaps connected by pieces of string. However, halfway through we found that the mechanism was too complicated to build in our time and we resorted to just using a single flap and a dowel.

Final Sketch

Laser-cut Frame for Vent

Arduino Mechanism and Servo

Smoke Detector (MQ135)

؜High-torque Servo

Dowel

Final Product in Use

Flap that closes vent

(cardboard)

Battery

Final Product Video

Problem: Gutters easily clog, or when it is pouring rain, they will overflow, which can harm homes and yards

Solution: An efficient, controlled way of catching and moving water without the chance of clogging.

Technical Precedent - Thorny Devil Scales

Conceptual Precedent - Capillary flow

Sketches

Iteration 1 - Rapid Prototype

؜Iteration 2 - Rapid Prototype

؜Feedback:

؜Main Feedback: Our idea needs more modifications, and our idea of capillary flow is challenging and could be revised

Post Feedback Project:

؜Solution:

Mimicking the way roots support trees and applying it to modern buildings, which we believe would provide a better alternative

Problem:

A simple (concrete) building base is prone to more damage due to cracks from freezing and earthquakes

Iteration 1:

A simple box, when filled with sawdust or dirt, models the ground

Iteration 2:

We cast hot glue in water to mimic the pattern of roots, and attached them to popsicle sticks as a base

Iteration 3/Final Iteration:

We planted the "roots" in wet sawdust along with a piece of cardboard for a simple comparison

Final Iteration Video:

؜Thank You!

We are using biomimicry to make surf shoes that help keep the wearer on the board.

؜The suckers on an octopus arm.

Precedents

The straps of a sandal and the materials of a wet suit boot.

؜Initial Sketches

؜Our form prototype

Our first suction cup prototype

It is made so an artificial vacuum can be made within it instead of traditional suction cups.

؜Our second suction cup prototype, with multiple linked together.

؜This has the same principle of using an artificial vacuum, but now multiple are linked.

This is an example where there are suction cups in the shoe.

The extra space would be where the air pump and electronics are stored.

ChatGPT feedback that could be useful.

Feedback continued

؜More Feedback

؜Our next iteration

This is how powerful the suction cups were

The mid review had little feedback because the ChatGPT feedback covered it.

؜We were originally going to use electronics to activate pumps creating the vacuum for the shoes.

After reviewing the idea we pivoted from electronics and decided to make it out of non electric components. The idea we pivoted to is more closely related to how an octopus' suckers work. We would be 3D printing the non electrical components that needed to move out of TPU

-3D printing takes a long time, the entire school day for some prints

-the prints can fail or run out of filament, requiring reprinting

؜Problems:

ChatGPT feedback for the new design

How the octopus sucker works

How ours works

؜Downward pressure must be applied to activate, the suction cup acts how a octopus' sucker works, the a vertical force removes the stopper and deactivates the suction cups.

؜Suction cups

؜Grippy rubber on bottom(yellow)

Straps to attach to feet

Air pump type

Pump

Air/water flow tube

Suction cups we would have 3d printed

Have holes to connect to the pump

Air pumps are large and clunky.

So make the mechanism the suction cup.

We made the suction cups able to deactivate with a lack of pressure

How the shoe would work

The mechanisms and

Suction cup

؜Bottom section

؜Top section

؜Deactivation trigger

Safey strap

Trigger string

What is the Biomimicry?

؜

The surface of a lotus leaf is covered in:

1. Microscopic bumps
2. A natural wax coating

These features make the surface hydrophobic

Water forms droplets that roll off, carrying dirt with them

→ This creates a self-cleaning effect

We are going to show this same

effect on the shoe using materials like wax paper, hydrophobic spray, and puff paint which we will show later.

Conceputal Precedent

Technical Precedent

Brady's Sketch

Iteration #1

Iteration #2

After-Wetting Comparison

Video (us figuring out this could work)

Video #2 (better version)

Thank you for listening, any feedback?

؜Major Problem!

The towel did not do it's only job, absorb water so, we had to switch our project toooo…..

؜Lotus Self Cleaning Shoe!!!

؜We applied the same concept but just put it on a shoe!

Sketch

First iteration

Iterations 2,3

The silicone spray creates hydrophibicity and helps to mimics how water beads into droplets instead of flattening

Wax Paper

Represents the natural wax coating on the leaf’s surface

Final Product with puff paint and hot glue dots acting as the microscopic bumpy surface of the leaf.

Final Movie!

Thanks For Listening