Squid-inspired robots perform swimmingly

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (50) ◽  
pp. eabf4301
Author(s):  
Nicole W. Xu
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Efficiency

A squid-like robot leverages resonance to match the swimming efficiency of biological animals.

Tail shapes lead to different propulsive mechanisms in the body/caudal fin undulation of fish

2020 ◽  
pp. 095440622096768
Author(s):  
Jialei Song ◽  
Yong Zhong ◽  
Ruxu Du ◽  
Ling Yin ◽  
Yang Ding
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
The Body ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
Fish Model ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Propulsive Mechanism ◽  
High Depth

In this paper, we investigate the hydrodynamics of swimmers with three caudal fins: a round one corresponding to snakehead fish ( Channidae), an indented one corresponding to saithe ( Pollachius virens), and a lunate one corresponding to tuna ( Thunnus thynnus). A direct numerical simulation (DNS) approach with a self-propelled fish model was adopted. The simulation results show that the caudal fin transitions from a pushing/suction combined propulsive mechanism to a suction-dominated propulsive mechanism with increasing aspect ratio ( AR). Interestingly, different from a previous finding that suction-based propulsion leads to high efficiency in animal swimming, this study shows that the utilization of suction-based propulsion by a high- AR caudal fin reduces swimming efficiency. Therefore, the suction-based propulsive mechanism does not necessarily lead to high efficiency, while other factors might play a role. Further analysis shows that the large lateral momentum transferred to the flow due to the high depth of the high- AR caudal fin leads to the lowest efficiency despite the most significant suction.

scholarly journals Swimming efficiency in a shear-thinning fluid

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herve Nganguia ◽  
Kyle Pietrzyk ◽  
On Shun Pak
Keyword(s):  
Shear Thinning ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Shear Thinning Fluid

Costs of transport for the scyphomedusa Stomolophus meleagris L. Agassiz

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2690-2695 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Larson
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Power Function ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Power Input ◽  
Cost Of Transport ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Planktonic Crustaceans ◽  
Stomolophus Meleagris

The rhizostome scyphomedusa Stomolophus meleagris swims continuously at speeds up to 15 cm∙s−1. Mean velocities increased as a power function of wet weight up to 70 g but were mostly constant thereafter. Bell pulsations ranged from 1.7 to 3.6 Hz. Reynolds numbers equalled 900 – 13 000. During activity, medusae consumed 0.05 mL O2∙h−1∙g WW−1 (1.2 mL O2∙h−1∙g DW−1), at 30 °C. Rates for inactive medusae were 50% less. The estimated cost of transport ranged from 2 J∙kg−1∙m−1 at 5 g to 1 J∙kg−1∙m−1 at 1 kg. These rates are comparable to those of fishes and about 1/50th that of planktonic crustaceans. These results were unexpected in light of the typical inefficiency (power output/power input) of jet swimming. However, S. meleagris has a very low respiration rate relative to crustaceans and fish, which probably compensated for low swimming efficiency.

HOW THE BODY CONTRIBUTES TO THE WAKE IN UNDULATORY FISH SWIMMING

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (16) ◽  
pp. 2751-2762 ◽  
Author(s):  
ULRIKE K. MÜLLER ◽  
JORIS SMIT ◽  
EIZE J. STAMHUIS ◽  
JOHN J. VIDELER
Keyword(s):  
Body Wave ◽  
Vortex Pair ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
The Body ◽  
Double Row ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Swimming Mode ◽  
Thrust Production ◽  
Tail Beat

SUMMARY Undulatory swimmers generate thrust by passing a transverse wave down their body. Thrust is generated not just at the tail, but also to a varying degree by the body, depending on the fish's morphology and swimming movements. To examine the mechanisms by which the body in particular contributes to thrust production, we chose eels, which have no pronounced tail fin and hence are thought to generate all their thrust with their body. We investigated the interaction between body movements and the flow around swimming eels using two-dimensional particle image velocimetry. Maximum flow velocities adjacent to the eel's body increase almost linearly from head to tail, suggesting that eels generate thrust continuously along their body. The wake behind eels swimming at 1.5Ls-1, where L is body length,consisted of a double row of double vortices with little backward momentum. The eel sheds two vortices per half tail-beat, which can be identified by their shedding dynamics as a start—stop vortex of the tail and a vortex shed when the body-generated flows reach the `trailing edge' and cause separation. Two consecutively shed ipsilateral body and tail vortices combine to form a vortex pair that moves away from the mean path of motion. This wake shape resembles flow patterns described previously for a propulsive mode in which neither swimming efficiency nor thrust is maximised but sideways forces are high. This swimming mode is suited to high manoeuvrability. Earlier recordings show that eels also generate a wake reflective of maximum swimming efficiency. The combined findings suggest that eels can modify their body wave to generate wakes that reflect their propulsive mode.

Novel “omega muscle units” in superficial body-wall myotomes during metamorphosis in the northern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor)

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 1218-1224
Author(s):  
J.E. Anderson ◽  
A. Cunha ◽  
M.F. Docker
Keyword(s):  
Body Wall ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Swimming Behavior ◽  
Body Wall Muscle ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Brook Lamprey ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Filter Feeders ◽  
Adult Lamprey

Lampreys transform from sedentary filter feeders to more mobile adults through a dramatic metamorphosis that includes remodeling of head muscle and skeletal systems. Metamorphic modifications of body-wall myotomes that could support changes in swimming behavior from larvae to adults have not been previously reported. Thus, transverse sections of northern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor Reighard and Cummins, 1916) in larval (n = 4), metamorphosing (n = 3), and adult (n = 2) stages were used to investigate the architecture of body-wall muscle and to detect whether Pax7 and MyoD, proteins important in myogenesis, were co-localized in any muscle nuclei. In addition to myotomal complexity of muscle units composed of parietal and central fibers, there was a novel pattern of omega-shaped muscle units with curves of muscle fibers in the superficial mid-body myotome in metamorphosing lamprey. Small satellite-like cells were identified on central fibers in metamorphosing and adult lamprey muscle using routine histology and immunolocalization of Pax7 and MyoD with antibodies that specifically detect mammalian and teleost proteins. Transient “omega muscle units” may be a marker for impending myotomal growth and increasing swimming efficiency during maturation, possibly restricted to metamorphosis. Finding satellite-like cells suggests that Pax7 and MyoD may have distinctive roles in lamprey myogenesis.

scholarly journals Swimming mediated by ciliary beating: comparison with a squirmer model

2019 ◽  
Vol 874 ◽  
pp. 774-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Ito ◽  
Toshihiro Omori ◽  
Takuji Ishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Cell Body ◽  
Hydrodynamic Interactions ◽  
Swimming Velocity ◽  
Energy Costs ◽  
Theoretical Studies ◽  
Free Swimming ◽  
Ciliary Beating ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Micro Organisms

The squirmer model of Lighthill and Blake has been widely used to analyse swimming ciliates. However, real ciliates are covered by hair-like organelles, called cilia; the differences between the squirmer model and real ciliates remain unclear. Here, we developed a ciliate model incorporating the distinct ciliary apparatus, and analysed motion using a boundary element–slender-body coupling method. This methodology allows us to accurately calculate hydrodynamic interactions between cilia and the cell body under free-swimming conditions. Results showed that an antiplectic metachronal wave was optimal in the swimming speed with various cell-body aspect ratios, which is consistent with former theoretical studies. Exploiting oblique wave propagation, we reproduced a helical trajectory, like Paramecium, although the cell body was spherical. We confirmed that the swimming velocity of model ciliates was well represented by the squirmer model. However, squirmer modelling outside the envelope failed to estimate the energy costs of swimming; over 90 % of energy was dissipated inside the ciliary envelope. The optimal swimming efficiency was given by the antiplectic wave; the value was 6.7 times larger than in-phase beating. Our findings provide a fundamental basis for modelling swimming micro-organisms.

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