Publication Date
Fall 12-7-2017
Document Type
Final Report
Problem Statement
The goal of this project is to develop a macroscopic model of the cilia appendage and a realistic testing environment for the model. The model should be created with materials that effectively replicate the material and mechanical properties of the appendage in the human body. Additionally, the testing environment should mimic the viscous fluid that surrounds cilia in the human body to allow for more accurate testing. The fluid’s flow should be parallel to the model and induce instability in the system. This instability should force the cilia model to oscillate like a flag in the wind. Upon completion of this project, our model should allow testers to gain a deeper understanding of cilia's motion by observing and measuring these oscillations. Ideally, our model and testing environment will be transportable and easy to set up. This project is important because cilia malfunction can lead to many different diseases in the human body.
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering Design Project (MEMS 411)
Recommended Citation
Barber, Laura; Mickelson, Rachel; Roen, Wilson; and Merz, Isabella, "Macroscopic Model of a Cilium Appendage" (2017). Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class. 87.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems411/87