What is it about?
This paper studies large fin underwater propulsion such as the one used by batoids (e.g. stingrays). A thin disk (i.e. platform) is used as a model and a numerical analysis is carried out to study the relationships between fin kinematics (i.e. wavelength, amplitude, frequency) and the resultant propulsive forces.
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Why is it important?
Large fin-based propulsion found in nature (e.g. stingrays) enables impressive manoeuvring capabilities and it is a promising source of inspiration for underwater vehicles. The insights of this study can help engineers make more informed design and control choices to improve manoeuvrability of bio-inspired underwater robots.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps engineers gain more insight into a complex problem such as bio-inspired underwater locomotion. We have made efforts to highlight important principles and identify relevant parameters that can provide useful information of the governing physics of this problem.
Pablo Valdivia y Alvarado
Singapore University of Technology and Design
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The effect of batoid inspired undulating motions on the propulsive forces of a circular planform, Physics of Fluids, June 2021, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0046996.
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