Professor James Usherwood

BA MRes PhD
Professor in Locomotor Biomechanics

Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Campus: Hawkshead

Research Groups: Musculoskeletal Biology, CPCS (Research Programme)

Research Centres: Structure & Motion Laboratory

Jim is a Professor of Locomotor Biomechanics at the Structure & Motion Laboratory. Jim's research interests cover the mechanics of both terrestrial and aerial locomotion. See his website at jimusherwoodresearch.com for detail on his research.

Jim's research interests cover the mechanics of both animal and artificial legs, tails, wings and fins. He is currently funded by ARIA to develop robot legs using principles apparent in both classic automatons and horses.

My Google Scholar profile HERE keeps a fairly complete and current list with links. 

 

  • Bird wings act as a suspension system that rejects gusts

    Scientists from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Bristol have discovered how birds are able to fly in gusty conditions – findings that could inform the development of bio-inspired small-scale aircraft.

    We thought there might be something birds can teach us about coping with turbulence, so we invited Lily the barn owl, Sasha the tawny eagle, Ellie the goshawk and some of their friends to fly through gusts we made in our laboratory.

  • High aerodynamic lift from the tail reduces drag in gliding raptors

    Scientists from the RVC and the University of Bristol have discovered how birds are able to fly in gusty conditions – findings that could inform the development of bio-inspired small-scale aircraft.

    Birds and planes must obey the very same laws of physics, and a wing is a pretty good way to create the aerodynamic force known as Lift which balances the Weight of the animal, or aeroplane, due to the relentless pull of gravity. However, there are several notable differences between the two fliers. Flapping is a way to reorient the wings and the aerodynamic force they produce to propel animals forwards in order to balance drag.

  • Wings and fins

    Why do pike have broad tail fins, but tuna have narrow? Why do vultures and pheasants have broad wings with ‘fingered’ wingtips, but swifts have narrow, simple wings?

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