News Release

NSF CAREER award for bio-inspired research of burrowing animals

Dr. Junliang Tao, civil engineering professor at the University of Akron, applies the burrowing strategies by animals in the natural world in guiding the design of underground construction technologies

Grant and Award Announcement

University of Akron

Junliang Tao, University of Akron

image: Dr. Junliang (Julian) Tao at The University of Akron is the recipient of a prestigious NSF CAREER Award. Tao was awarded $500,000 for his 5-year project involving the study of the burrowing mechanisms of animals to guide design for underground construction technologies. view more 

Credit: The University of Akron

Dr. Junliang (Julian) Tao is the latest University of Akron faculty member to be awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award.

An assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Tao was awarded $500,00 for his research in adopting a variety of burrowing strategies by animals in the natural world to guide design of underground construction technologies. This five-year project will begin on July 1, 2017.

Burrowing organisms can inhabit a wide range of subsurface soil types, and adopt a variety of burrowing strategies facilitated by rhythmically changing their body shape. His findings will guide the design of next-generation, high-efficiency underground construction technologies and versatile small-scale underground robots.

"Dr. Tao's work is just one of many research projects within the College of Engineering to be influenced by biomimicry," says Dr. Donald P. Visco, interim dean of the College of Engineering. "Dr. Tao was certainly inspired by the work and efforts of the Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center on campus and, in particular, its seminar series."

The educational aspect of Tao's CAREER award will focus on generating enthusiasm among K-12 students and the public about STEM education as it relates to bio-inspired approaches.

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award is one of the NSF's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research.

###


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.