NY Times Highlights Study Published by Millbrook Faculty
Science Department faculty member Jeff Lacosse participated this spring in a study of the speed, size, and penetration of fangs and fang-like appendages on various species.
Supporting the theme of cutting edge science in biology and engineering, Mr. Lacosse and his colleagues, P.S.L. Anderson and M. Pankow, came to a pointed conclusion, having studied the combination of kinematic performance with cutting mechanics in biological puncture systems. Their study, Point of impact: the effect of size and speed on puncture mechanics, was published in April 2016 by Royal Society Publishing and was referenced in the NY Times on November 1st (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/01/science/fangs.html).
Ultimately, Mr. Lacosse and the other researchers proved that kinetic energy has a lot to do with how fangs - and other pointed weapons - better penetrate prey. Mr. Lacosse, a new faculty member this year, is teaching physics and Advanced Physics-Honors, and comes to Millbrook after completing his PhD at the University of Illinois. His wife, Davida, is also a member of the science Department and teaches chemistry and Advanced Chemistry-Honors.
No vampire bats at our Trevor Zoo, but physics students here have plenty of other animals to study in their energy unit!