Earthworm Inspired Subsurface Exploration
Earthworm Inspired Subsurface Exploration
 | Dr. Douglas CortesAssistant Professor, Department of Civil EngineeringNew Mexico State University |
Friday, April 28, 2017
Abstract: Earthworms have relentlessly ploughed, harrowed, and fertilized the soil for over 250 million years, surviving at least three mass extinctions. Their nourishment of near surface terrestrial ecosystems around damp river valleys unintentionally triggered the rise of civilization. Ever since their destiny has been profoundly linked to ours. Where earthworms burrow, people prosper. Today, our symbiotic relationship takes a new step. The GUSANO (Spanish for worm) project explores the evolutionary adaptations developed by earthworms to move within the soil. Earthworms are helping us now develop a new generation of subsurface exploration tools for geotechnical site characterization.