E-Thesis 314 views 67 downloads
Evaluation of materials for potential use as drop-off mechanisms for avian harnesses. / KIM TOOGOOD
Swansea University Author: KIM TOOGOOD
Abstract
Bio-logging devices play a crucial role in avian research, deployed on thousands of birds annually to gather data on space use, behaviour, and energetics. Harnesses are commonly used for device attachment, but many lack weak links for controlled detachment, leading to the perpetual carrying of non-f...
| Published: |
Swansea University, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Wilson. R., Shepard, E. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66725 |
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| Abstract: |
Bio-logging devices play a crucial role in avian research, deployed on thousands of birds annually to gather data on space use, behaviour, and energetics. Harnesses are commonly used for device attachment, but many lack weak links for controlled detachment, leading to the perpetual carrying of non-functional tags. This thesis focuses on enhancing weak link integration for avian harnesses by evaluating three rubber band types and three adhesives as potential biodegradable components. All materials were subjected to load/shear testing, and survival times were quantified under natural weathering and constant temperatures. Rubber bands were also incorporated into a simple harness deployed on domestic pigeons (Columba livia) to quantify survival times on live animals. Survival times were influenced by complex interactions between temperature, humidity and material type. Rubber bands had survival times of 2-143 days, with two band types (TPU and Natural Rubber) appearing to fail at consistent times, suggesting they might perform well as weak links. The breaking stress of rubber bands was strongly dependent on whether they were knotted or unknotted, with knotted bands having lower breaking stress. This highlights that the performance of a rubber band depends on how it is incorporated into a harness. Adhesive shear strength was similar to the breaking strain of rubber bands, but survival times were higher. One adhesive showed a consistent failure time (Evo-Stik ~ 100 days), suggesting this could function well as a weak link. Surprisingly, load was not significant for all rubbers or adhesives. Overall, the results identify two potential rubber bands and one adhesive that appear to have reasonably predictable survival times. These results will hopefully raise awareness of the ability to design low-cost weak-links, enabling high quality data to be collected for a predetermined period, whilst also providing a predictable harness release for the benefit of bird welfare |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
Adhesive, breaking stress, drop-off mechanism, harness, rubber band. |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |