Octo-cuffs!

In this investigation, I learned how different adaptations of animals can serve as creative ideas for humans. In this assignment, I was asked to research an animal that could inspire me to create a product, service, or skill. The study of Biomimicry guided me in my project. The most difficult part of this project by far, was finding a redesign strategy, because the way that animals live is complex. I had to dive deep into the research on a specific animal, but I learned a lot that I didn't know! I'm most proud of coming up with a solid idea, using the suction on Octopuses to increase the effectiveness of security! That's genius!

 Severed Octopus Arms Have a Mind of Their Own. Smithsonian. 21 November, 2013. 

• Octopuses are also known as Octopoda.
• They have neither an external nor an internal skeleton, which allows them to squeeze through tight places. 
• They have one pair of eyes (2) and four pairs of arms (8).
• They have a hard beak that they use in a scissor-like fashion to protect and fend for themselves, but somehow, their mouth is located at the center of their arms. 
• They are one of the most intelligent and flexible invertebrates. 
• They can be located in any oceans or seas. 
• Having more then 200 species, Octopuses are appreciated most by Mediterranean and Asiatic people, because of their meat.
• The range size for one Octopus is around 2 inches to 32 feet. 
• Hiding, ducking and diving predators, and using their ink, they have many ways to prevent becoming prey. 

"My collage", DR (me). 21 November, 2013. 

My inspiration and guidance was my teacher, who asked, "What can you do to better our lives right now?" Immediately, I thought of the Chicago Police. We discussed handcuffs and octopuses' suction. He raised some interesting questions: "How are they able to keep that suction?" and "How are they able to detach at ease?" I thought about it, and then I researched it. I propose that we do something to increase the effectiveness of our security. Better handcuffs can create an easier job for the police. 

My animal inspiration was the Octopus. Octopuses have suction cups on their arms. Their suction cups contain three different kinds of muscles that allow them to attach and detach, when pressure is applied. Both the funnel and the suction cup contain water inside them. The end of the cup is a sort-of spongy feeling and forms a seal on anything it attaches to. The water inside the cup is allowed to move around, creating suction. 

My form of handcuffs can be created in many ways. The way I vision my design is two cuffs that hold the victim hostage and two suction cups (matching the color of the cuffs) that destroy any hope of them getting away. The two suction cups will attach together on contact, like magnets. To release the victim, there can be a way of applying pressure to the cups in order to make them detach. The cups on the inside can hold water, which keeps the cups attached. Too much water can make them detach because the water isn't allowed to move around and create space for suction. The handcuffs today are not effective and break easy. The apply of pressure to the octo-cuffs allows no detachment from pulling and trying to break free. 

References:

"Octopus", Animal Planet. 21 November, 2013.

"Sticky Feet. I've Got Those Sticky Feet", Awesome Inc. 21 November, 2013.
"Common Octopus", National Geographic. 21 November, 2013.