Animal Flight Group

Dr Simon Walker, BA DPhil

Post-doctoral Research Assistant

Junior Research Fellow, Linacre College

 

simon walkerResearch Interests

My research focuses on the wing and body kinematics of insects in free-flight. This work aims to understand how insects achieve their remarkable agility and control through the subtle changes in their wing kinematics. I use high-speed digital cameras to film insects in free-flight and then reconstruct the 3D kinematics of the wings and body using custom-written, automated calibration and tracking software.

I am also interested in the mechanics of the wing hinge in insects. The seemingly simple reciprocating motion of an insect's wing belies the incredible intricacy of the wing base; one of the most complicated joints known in biology.

Publications

Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2011). Operation of the alula as an indicator of gear change in hoverflies, J. Roy. Soc. Interface. Published online before print November 9, 2011. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0617

Carruthers, A. C., Thomas, A. L. R., Walker, S. M. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Mechanics and aerodynamics of perching manoeuvres in a large bird of prey. Aero. J. 114, 673-680.

Carruthers, A. C., Walker, S. M., Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Aerodynamics of aerofoil sections measured on a free-flying bird. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part G - J. Aerosp. Eng. 224, 855-864. doi:10.1243/09544100JAERO737

Young, J., Walker, S. M., Bomphrey, R. J., Taylor, G. K. & Thomas, A. L. R. (2009). Details of insect wing design and deformation enhance aerodynamic function and flight efficiency. Science. 325, 1549-1552. doi: 10.1126/science.1175928

Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Deformable wing kinematics in free-flying hoverflies. J. Roy. Soc. Interface. 7, 131-142. 7, 131-142. Published online before print May 15, 2009, doi:10.1098/rsif.2009.0120

Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2009). Deformable wing kinematics in the desert locust: how and why do camber, twist and topography vary through the stroke?. J. Roy. Soc. Interface 6, 735-747. Published online before print December 16, 2008, 10.1098/rsif.2008.0435

Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2009). Photogrammetric reconstruction of high-resolution surface topographies and deformable wing kinematics of tethered locusts and free-flying hoverflies. J. Roy. Soc. Interface 6, 351-366. Published online before print August 5, 2008, 10.1098/rsif.2008.0245

Taylor, G. K., Bacic, M., Bomphrey, R. J., Carruthers, A. C., Gillies, J., Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. (2008). New experimental approaches to the biology of flight control systems. J. Exp. Biol. 211, 258-266. doi: 10.1242/jeb.012625

Webmaster | ©2011 Oxford University