Why can’t we copy how tree roots or worms tunnel?
Because biology is hard to replicate with machines. But even if we could, it wouldn't be useful, because we want to burrow where we choose and leave behind a usable tunnel.
The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
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Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#12Why can’t we copy how tree roots or worms tunnel?
We probably can if you want to build 1 inch tunnels that go in random directions...
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
How is this not already critical tech?
we dont have to abandon the surface quite yet, but soon
If you're talking about climate change, the number one threat is going to be food.
Climate change is correlated with worse crops because it brings more droughts and harsher weather extremes and this will become a real problem.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#14Funnily enough, my father is at the 11th international symposium on “Ground Freezing” in London at this very moment. Most of the time you have to freeze the ground before you can drill.
He has been working in specialist civil engineering for many years and builds tunnels all over the world. He has told me many exciting and hard-to-believe stories about tunnel construction and tunnel boring machines.
E.g. during the work on the Eurotunnel. Here the British tunnel boring machine was diverted into the rock near half the length of the tunnel and left there. It was cheaper than somehow taking it out again.
Anyways, since my dad is always very stressed due to his job, I am happy to have gained a foothold in IT and not tunnel boring :D
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
we dont have to abandon the surface quite yet, but soon
If you're talking about climate change, the number one threat is going to be food. Climate change is correlated with worse crops because it brings more droughts and harsher weather extremes and this will become a real problem.
yes crops will have to be included, as well as a, cohort of supportive biotypes.
very much a noahs ark scenario, but we may best use a number of avenues, such as exoplanetary colonies.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#16Very cool article as someone who has had little to no exposure on this topic. A very interesting youtube channel [1] I recently came across is Cutting Edge Engineering Australia - they do mostly heavy equipment repair/fab. Some common tools used are air-arc gougers for clean and rapid removal of material along with mill/lathe machining. Had never really considered the conceptual transfer over to something like tunnel…
Holy cow it's a small world. I just subbed to that channel last week. Love seeing someone so practical and capable and the bloopers at the end are a lot of fun.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#17Sometimes when I'm stuck in construction traffic I wish someone would invent the Highway Widening Machine. A machine that in one fell swoop can grind, grade, prep, pour and paint a new lane into a road.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#18Sometimes when I'm stuck in construction traffic I wish someone would invent the Highway Widening Machine. A machine that in one fell swoop can grind, grade, prep, pour and paint a new lane into a road.
Would be a lot cheaper and more permanent to just have other modes of transportation.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#19Funnily enough, my father is at the 11th international symposium on “Ground Freezing” in London at this very moment. Most of the time you have to freeze the ground before you can drill. He has been working in specialist civil engineering for many years and builds tunnels all over the world. He has told me many exciting and hard-to-believe stories about tunnel construction and tunnel boring machines. E.g. during the w…
You could have added a boring pun to this boring comment.
Re: The Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines
#20Sometimes when I'm stuck in construction traffic I wish someone would invent the Highway Widening Machine. A machine that in one fell swoop can grind, grade, prep, pour and paint a new lane into a road.
Would be a lot cheaper and more permanent to just have other modes of transportation.
Unfortunately just severely less useful in the majority of the US.