https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r ELED 406 // Science Methods en-us 2016-09-19 17:02:49 UTC 2026-03-02 00:36:42 UTC hello@padlet.com cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124829435 The organism that I chose was a camel. Camels are natives of North Africa and the Middle East. They live in desert like habitats primarily, but also in prairie and steppe.

The adaptation that will be featured in this design will be the camel's eyes.

Since camels live in the windy desert, sand is constantly blowing around. The camel has multiple adaptations that protect it from blowing sand. The camel has a thin "nictitating membrane" that protects the eye while letting enough light in for the camel to see; and the camel also has a thick double set of eyelashes to deter blowing sand.]]> 2016-09-19 17:05:19 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124829435 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124835167 2016-09-19 17:17:23 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124835167 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124835869 There are many ways that the camel's eye adaptations can enhance human lives. 
1.) Double layers of eyelashes can help deter debris from the human eye  as they do for the camels.
2.) The think "nictitating membrane" could also act as a protectant for human eyes. Similar to a protective contact lens.
3.) The combination of these adaptations could allow humans to see clearly through mediums such as sand, water, etc.]]> 2016-09-19 17:18:52 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124835869 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124837424 The original prototype would have two components. 
a.) A plastic, circular membrane would attach to the eye like a contact lens. This lens would act as a second eyelid to the human. The lens would have senses that would detect when the human eye was at risk for damage. After sensing this, the lens would go into a mode in which it would moisten and protect the eye while still allowing some vision.
b.) The second component of this prototype would be the added lashes that would extend at the time the membrane senses danger. The lashes will extend from the membrane and move quickly in order to prevent debris from coming into contact with the membrane or the actual eye.

-Sustainability-
The prototype would be created from biodegradable materials, therefore would not harm the environment when disposed. Being very similar to a contact lens, the prototype would have to be replaced 1-2 times per year.]]> 2016-09-19 17:22:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124837424 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124842449 2016-09-19 17:34:07 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124842449 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124845090 1.) One problem that was found with the prototype was the shape of the added membrane. The human eye is not circular in shape, therefore the plastic membrane did not fit the human eye well enough to give ample protection. After researching the human eye, we adapted the membrane and gave it the dimensions of they eye. After making those changes, it fit perfectly to the eye.
2.) Another problem that we found was that when microscopic particles of debris made it past the lashes, they stuck to the membrane. To fix this issue, we coated the membrane with an organic omniphobic solution (fluorodecyl POSS) that repels water, mud, dirt, and oil. After this adaptation, all debris was repelled from the membrane, ensuring the most clear vision as possible when the membrane was activated.
3.) The last issue that we found with the prototype was the lashes were allowing too much debris to pass to the membrane. In the original prototype design, the dual layer of lashes were in straight lines. To fix this issue, we staggered the lashes so that there was no empty space for debris to come through. After making this change, we saw much less debris coming through, and any that made it through was repelled by the omniphobic solution added in the prior adaptation to the prototype.]]> 2016-09-19 17:40:39 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124845090 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858536 2016-09-19 18:13:19 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858536 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858701 2016-09-19 18:13:46 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858701 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858717 2016-09-19 18:13:47 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124858717 cassie_harbison183 https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124859721 2016-09-19 18:16:11 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_harbison183/rv5citklzu8r/wish/124859721