https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos Biomimicry with kangaroos. en-us 2017-10-02 22:22:22 UTC 2023-05-19 14:51:57 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193240257 Kangaroos are known for being able to jump long distances. They can jump over 20 feet in a single bound! They are able to do this largely because of strong hind-leg muscles and big feet. Kangaroo's scientific name is Macropus, which translates to "big foot." Kangaroo's feet are almost as long as their shins. Their shins also contain a special cartilage in their shin bone that is shock-absorbing. The pads on a kangaroo's feet help with shock absorption, too. All of these adaptations allow the kangaroo to travel long distances to search for food and water without expending large amounts of energy.]]> 2017-10-03 00:31:25 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193240257 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193241705 Kangaroos can help humans in many ways. 

1- Kangaroos have flexible cartilage in many of their joints. Scientists are studying kangaroo cartilage to help humans who have arthritis.
2- Female kangaroos are known for carrying their young in a pouch on their belly area. Studying this pouch can and has helped scientists make strides in incubation for human babies.
3- Scientists have studied the strong stomach acid in kangaroo stomachs to figure out how to create biodegradable landfills.
4- Kangaroos can travel at speeds from 13 mph to 25 mph without expending large amounts of energy. Studying the build of a kangaroo could help humans travel farther faster. The invention I created is designed after this information.]]> 2017-10-03 00:43:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193241705 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249015 I started with the idea of a shoe that could be worn by a human. The shoe would have a "jumper" that imitated the kangaroo foot. Kangaroos feet are about as long as their shin, so the jumper was made to increase the length of the foot to about the size of a human shin. The shoe was to allow flexibility in the foot, and the foot was held in place by laces. I had not exactly decided on materials at this point, but I considered a flexible plastic for the jumper. ]]> 2017-10-03 01:40:23 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249015 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249329 During my research, I came across the fact that a kangaroo's ankle is unable to rotate sideways. I realized that this could be important to ensure that humans could not hurt their ankle while using the product. Therefore, I switched the shoe out for a leather boot. I also added elastic reinforcement straps that go inside the boot to create more ankle  support. The boot still laces up like the shoe. The laces should be made from a durable material. This time, I considered using a thick rubber for the jumper. ]]> 2017-10-03 01:42:57 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249329 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249957 The product has now been named Jump-a-Roos. Various changes have been made from Prototype #2. The design now has a built in sock under the elastic straps to allow for user comfort. Instead of normal holes for the laces, there are now hooks, like the ones that are on ice skates. This allows the user to make to boot very tight. There is a backstay in the back of the boot for added support. The boot is made of leather, but it is very supportive and thick. It should feel like an ice skate boot. This time the jumper is made of a flexible plastic, with an extra coating of rubber to absorb the shock of any jumps. ]]> 2017-10-03 01:47:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193249957 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193250776 I chose to design a product that would help humans travel longer distances, while still getting exercise. Currently, to travel healthily, humans most often choose to walk or to bike. Walking can take a long time, and while biking is still exercise, biking casually does not raise the heart rate up very high, and really only the leg muscles get the workout. Copying the structure of a kangaroo will allow humans to travel long distances while getting a good workout without getting too tired. Using the created product will use both leg and core muscles, to give humans the healthy transportation they want. ]]> 2017-10-03 01:55:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193250776 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193251477 The picture below shows the model of the final product. Users of Jump-a-Roos put on the boots by inserting their foot in the attached sock. The user then straps the elastic reinforcement straps around the ankles. Users should then lace up the boot fairly tight. The ankle should feel supported, but the boot should not be so tight that the circulation is cut off. The user will carefully stand up and kick off of the jumper to get started. The feet should always move together and never separate! Users should never attempt to move backwards in Jump-a-Roos. (Kangaroos cannot move one leg at a time, nor can they move backwards.) Users should start slow and build up to desired speed. Knees should stay bent while in use.]]> 2017-10-03 02:02:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193251477 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193251885 Jump-a-Roos are made durably so that they will last the user for a long time. Replacement jumpers can be bought so that if they are damaged or wear out, they can be replaced without buying a whole new boot. The jumpers are made out of recycled plastic and recycled rubber, to encourage a healthy environment. Jump-a-Roos also encourage humans to avoid driving cars to reduce pollution in our environment.]]> 2017-10-03 02:07:09 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193251885 hannah_jenkins1 https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193252661 Echinaw. (2013). The kangaroo hop- How does it work? Retrieved from https://echidnawalkabout.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/the-kangaroo-hop-how-does-it-work/

Structure of a kangaroo's legs. Retrieved from http://animals.mom.me/structure-kangaroos-legs-9727.html

Kangaroo facts. Retrieved from http://www.animalfactsencyclopedia.com/Kangaroo-facts.html

Turner, T. (2017). The kangaroo-inspired incubator. Retrieved from  https://www.yankodesign.com/2017/04/05/the-kangaroo-inspired-incubator/

Speed of animals: Red kangaroo. Retrieved from http://www.speedofanimals.com/animals/kangaroo

Pundt, M. (2017, March 12). Zoboomafoo 130- Jumpers (E). [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9SopPAf7LE]]> 2017-10-03 02:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/hannah_jenkins1/jumparoos/wish/193252661