Session C2: Condensed Matter/Nanomaterials
8:24 AM–10:00 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2008
Moser Hall Room: 2006
Chair: Tom Oder, Youngstown State University
Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.OSS.C2.7
Abstract: C2.00007 : Structural Physics of Bee Honeycomb
9:36 AM–9:48 AM
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Abstract 
Authors:
Forrest Kaatz
(Owens Community College)
Adhemar Bultheel
Takeshi Egami
(University of TN)
Honeybee combs have aroused interest in the ability of honeybees to form regular hexagonal geometric constructs since ancient times. Here we use a real space technique based on the pair distribution function (PDF) and radial distribution function (RDF), and a reciprocal space method utilizing the Debye-Waller Factor (DWF) to quantify the order for a range of honeycombs made by \textit{Apis mellifera}. The PDFs and RDFs are fit with a series of Gaussian curves. We characterize the order in the honeycomb using a real space order parameter, OP$_{3}$, to describe the order in the combs and a two-dimensional Fourier transform from which a Debye-Waller order parameter, \textbf{\textit{u}}, is derived. Both OP$_{3}$ and \textbf{\textit{u}} take values from [0, 1] where the value one represents perfect order. The analyzed combs have values of OP$_{3}$ from 0.33 to 0.60 and values of \textbf{\textit{u}} from 0.83 to 0.98. RDF fits of honeycomb histograms show that naturally made comb can be crystalline in a 2D ordered structural sense, yet is more `liquid-like' than cells made on `foundation' wax. We show that with the assistance of man-made foundation wax, honeybees can manufacture highly ordered arrays of hexagonal cells.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.OSS.C2.7