Effects of shape and stroke parameters on the propulsion performance of an axisymmetric swimmer

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
Jifeng Peng, Silas Alben

Abstract

In nature, there exists a special group of aquatic animals which have an axisymmetric body and whose primary swimming mechanism is to use periodic body contractions to generate vortex rings in the surrounding fluid. Using jellyfish medusae as an example, this study develops a mathematical model of body kinematics of an axisymmetric swimmer and uses a computational approach to investigate the induced vortex wakes. Wake characteristics are identified for swimmers using jet propulsion and rowing, two mechanisms identified in previous studies of medusan propulsion. The parameter space of body kinematics is explored through four quantities: a measure of body shape, stroke amplitude, the ratio between body contraction duration and extension duration, and the pulsing frequency. The effects of these parameters on thrust, input power requirement and circulation production are quantified. Two metrics, cruising speed and energy cost of locomotion, are used to evaluate the propulsion performance. The study finds that a more prolate-shaped swimmer with larger stroke amplitudes is able to swim faster, but its cost of locomotion is also higher. In contrast, a more oblate-shaped swimmer with smaller stroke amplitudes uses less energy for its l...Continue Reading

References

Aug 20, 2004·Nature·C D Wilga, G V Lauder
Mar 23, 2005·The Journal of Experimental Biology·John O DabiriMorteza Gharib
Apr 2, 2005·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Eize J Stamhuis, Sandra Nauwelaerts
May 23, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·John O DabiriJohn H Costello
Mar 30, 2010·The Journal of Experimental Biology·J O DabiriJ H Costello
Aug 17, 2010·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Ali A Moslemi, Paul S Krueger
Nov 1, 2002·Integrative and Comparative Biology·William W Schultz, Paul W Webb
May 20, 2009·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Megan M WilsonJeff D Eldredge

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 17, 2014·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Leif Ristroph, Stephen Childress
Jul 3, 2015·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Brad J GemmellRichard A Satterlie
Oct 27, 2015·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Isaac SledgeKamran Mohseni
Jul 25, 2019·Physical Review. E·Silas Alben
Jun 25, 2020·Physical Review. E·Silas Alben, Connor Puritz
Sep 30, 2021·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Tierney Baldwin, Nicholas A Battista
Nov 4, 2021·Journal of Mathematical Biology·Jason G Miles, Nicholas A Battista

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.