The Gazelle and the Master Engineer

We have seen several times that creatures are not only designed, but they can be examined (indeed, appreciated) from an engineering perspective. Someone can design a motor, but successful engineering anticipates its performance under demanding conditions. Consider the gazelle.

Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net / GY

Predators looking to add a gazelle to the menu can run very fast, but in short bursts. If the gazelle gets a head start, it can get out of Dodge and keep on going before the pursuer runs out of steam. That means heat is generated and needs to be dissipated. In addition, the vertebral columns of gazelles are designed for the long run as well as agility. Other critters are distinctly different in this area. Darwin's acolytes may say, "It evolved", but that is faith and louche non-science.

Gazelle is the common name for a number of small antelopes of the family Bovidae and subfamily Antilopinae. They are characterized by a sandy color, with a streak of white or red on the side of the face. Both male and female gazelles typically have horns that are curved forward and are ringed base to tip.

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The subject of this article is “Engineering the Gazelle” and we will be looking at just two amazing aspects of the design of these animals that display the tremendous engineering involved:

A. Engineering Field: Heat Transfer – Application: Gazelle Cooling System.

B. Engineering Field: Biomechanics – Application: Gazelle Vertebral Column.

You can pronk on over to the full article at "Engineering the Gazelle".