Question: What resources are you going to usr?

Diana Samuel answered on 17 Jun 2011:

Well, this project has a number of different aims, so to answer them I need to use a wide range of resources; these can be things that we build in the lab or items that we purchase. We’ve developed a technique that allows us to view the toe pads as they make contact with a glass surface. The edges of the glass are lit up with light-emitting-diodes, so that when a pad touches the glass it creates a bright spot. Since this spot highlights the full pad, I can measure the area of contact. We’re also in the process of building a force plate, which will be placed within a walkway; its basically a glass plate with some fancy gadgets attached. Whilst a frogs walks or climbs, if it happens to put its foot or a single toe pad on the glass plate, the gadgets will measure the amount of force generated when it puts its foot/pad down and when it lifts it off again. Both measuring the area of contact and the forces involved in walking/climbing are important in understanding the biomechanics of frog locomotion. Besides making or buying things, the project involves trips to other labs or research centres in order to use their resources, such as the centre in Borneo where I carried out my field work.