Research by Jeremy Epps, Advised by Eric Feron

It has been argued that nature could not have created a wheel and axle mechanism similar to what is commonly used in cars because this design is not capable of achieving homeostasis, which is the vital process that allows higher order lifeforms to maintain certain internal parameters. The proposed mechanism contradicts the commonly accepted view that nature could not have invented the wheel. This paper presents a prototype of a homeostasis-enabling wheel that can be seen as an organic extension of the overall assembly meaning that the wheel is surrounded entirely by the same skin as the assembly creating a shared interior. The wheel's internal parts, connecting the interior of the wheel to the body of the entire assembly, can be fabricated in a manner that allows the wheel to rotate continuously in the same direction without tearing the skin. The mechanism that can be attributed to the continuous rotation of the wheel is the rectification of a small number of oscillatory inputs. The homeostasis-enabling wheel could be functionally better than the conventional wheel and axle in environments that are dangerous and inaccessible to humans. The proposed design has the possibly handle rough terrain as well as repair and maintain itself in a manner similar to biological systems.