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.

He SHOOTS... He SCORES!!

In this investigation we learned how basketball affects society. In this assignment we were asked to pick a topic in basketball that connects to society. I chose shot selection. I spent a long while working on my slide and I believe I did a good job on it. I learned that basketball is society, I learned how connected they are.

The "Foxtail" Revolution

In this investigation we had to learn about our specific plant and how we, as humans, can learn from that plant. My elective, Bioneers, helps me understand how humans can learn from plants. I had a bit of difficulty with this project but I'm most proud of the research I did. Going more in depth in the research of the "Foxtail" plant was interesting. I learned the scientific name for "Foxtail" grass, Alopecurus. I have also learned the cautions of "Foxtail", such as its harmful, barbed spikes.

"Foxtail (diaspore)". Wiki. 10 November, 2013. 

"Foxtail Poster". DR. 10 November, 2013.

The Foxtail plant, or Alopecurus, is an annual native grass. Known to just appear in bodies of grass that have been left unattended, Foxtail only comes out from July to September. Its tiny, deadly spikes serve as protection and a hazard for dogs. Its barbed, razor-sharp spikelets are known to pass right through a dog's tissue, piercing the heart, or injuring them exceptionally.

Learning from this plant, we can study it's defensive system. The Foxtail plant can be beneficial in our defensive department. Its spikelets can be used for protection against dangerous stray animals. Instead of implementing scientific, expensive, defenses, why not use "Foxtail" and study how we can improve their defense to help improve ours. Its extremely thin and sharp spike serve as its leading source of protection, can we learn the ways of the Foxtail and use them in a similar way, to upgrade our defense? Using its way of smoothly passing through soft tissue, will it keep any known wildlife threats away?

Applying the uniqueness of the "Foxtail" to our defenses could turn out well. Free defense implemented? Someone call the government!! It may not be as much defense against human beings than against wildlife, but it's still one less thing we have to worry about. If you think about it, "Foxtail" is a nuisance, why not put some use to them? They are all over the U.S., that's just free protection for us,
against other nuisance.

References:

“Foxtail grasses can be lethal to dogs”, Dogheirs Team. 6 November 2013.

“Foxtail Grass”, The Scott’s Company. 6 November, 2013.

"Foxtail Control in Pastures and Hayground", Oregon State University. 8 November, 2013.

"How would Nature solve green building challenges", Biomimicry Institute. 8 November, 2013.

"Plants", Exotic Plants. 8 November, 2013.
"Meadow Foxtail", Plant Materials Handbook. 10 November, 2013.