In nature and sport there are many biological mechanisms that can be analogous to machines, this can be as simple as a butterfly flapping its wings which Da Vinci based his first flying machines, to Tiger Woods swinging a golf club. These mechanisms and machines can all be mapped and explained by equations (both kinetics and kinematics) described in Dynamics of Machines, academic literature and other library based resources.

Your task is to find a structure / machine that has some biological component to it from the world of nature or sports and analyse it using math based equations. The mechanism that you choose must have some a finite time segment, e.g. from the moment Tiger starts his golf swing to the point the ball takes flight, or ten flaps of a butterfly's wings. As mentioned you will need to looks at both the kinematics of the motion and the kinetics of the motion. This is an individual based assignment, it is expected everyone will choose a different mechanism to analyse (also analysis of golf swing is not available as we'll be doing an analysis in class).

For an example see the journal article by Nesbit (on Cloud Deakin)

This assignment must be presented as a formal methodical report with clear unambiguous references. All calculations and assumptions must be provided together with a full explanation of all the terms used - equations have to be typed. This assignment must be typed be in Microsoft Word format and submitted via DSO. No hand written, hand submitted or non-conforming assignments as outlined above will be accepted. Extensions will only be granted if asked for in writing (email) three days before the due date; a maximum of 7 days will be granted if circumstances are valid. Students can only ask for one extension for the trimester period - thus if you have an extension for assignment one you are not able to have another extension for assignment 2 unless under very exceptional circumstances. If your assignment is greater than three days late you will receive zero for that assessment task.

Demonstrate application of advanced kinetic and kinematic concepts to various mechanisms both from a practical and theoretical context Recognise, Develop and Solve numerical problems related to kinetic and kinematic based mechanisms.