Tuning of Elastic Systems in biology

I work at interface between engineering and biology and physics. My current research focuses on animal movement that uses energy stored in elastic elements.  While this can produce faster and sometimes more efficient movements than muscle alone, it also comes with challenges. Elastically driven systems require tight tuning between each component, but each element can change over time.  Do they vary independently or are they coordinated? How do elastic systems change when used for different functions?   I explore this question over three different timescales.

 Evolutionary timescales       Across a lifespan               During a motion

Basic physical principles             Plasticity                     Motor control

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