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Dunt TK, Heck KS, Lyons K, Murphy CT, Bayoán Cal R, Franck JA. Wavelength-induced shedding frequency modulation of seal whisker inspired cylinders. Bioinspir Biomim 2024; 19:036004. [PMID: 38377615 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ad2b04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The spanwise undulated cylinder geometry inspired by seal whiskers has been shown to alter shedding frequency and reduce fluid forces significantly compared to smooth cylindrical geometry. Prior research has parameterized the whisker-inspired geometry and demonstrated the relevance of geometric variations on force reduction properties. Among the geometric parameters, undulation wavelength was identified as a significant contributor to forcing changes. To analyze the effect of undulation wavelength, a thorough investigation isolating changes in wavelength is performed to expand upon previous research that parameterized whisker-inspired geometry and the relevance of geometric variations on the force reduction properties. A set of five whisker-inspired models of varying wavelength are computationally simulated at a Reynolds number of 250 and compared with an equivalent aspect ratio smooth elliptical cylinder. Above a critical non-dimensional value, the undulation wavelength reduces the amplitude and frequency of vortex shedding accompanied by a reduction in oscillating lift force. Frequency shedding is tied to the creation of wavelength-dependent vortex structures which vary across the whisker span. These vortices produce distinct shedding modes in which the frequency and phase of downstream structures interact to decrease the oscillating lift forces on the whisker model with particular effectiveness around the wavelength values typically found in nature. The culmination of these location-based modes produces a complex and spanwise-dependent lift frequency spectra at those wavelengths exhibiting maximum force reduction. Understanding the mechanisms of unsteady force reduction and the relationship between undulation wavelength and frequency spectra is critical for the application of this geometry to vibration tuning and passive flow control for vortex-induced vibration (VIV) reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor K Dunt
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Kirby S Heck
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Lyons
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Christin T Murphy
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center-Newport, Newport, RI, United States of America
| | - Raúl Bayoán Cal
- Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A Franck
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
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Bodaghi D, Wang Y, Liu G, Liu D, Xue Q, Zheng X. Deciphering the connection between upstream obstacles, wake structures, and root signals in seal whisker array sensing using interpretable neural networks. Front Robot AI 2023; 10:1231715. [PMID: 37600472 PMCID: PMC10435080 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1231715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents a novel method that combines a computational fluid-structure interaction model with an interpretable deep-learning model to explore the fundamental mechanisms of seal whisker sensing. By establishing connections between crucial signal patterns, flow characteristics, and attributes of upstream obstacles, the method has the potential to enhance our understanding of the intricate sensing mechanisms. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated through its accurate prediction of the location and orientation of a circular plate placed in front of seal whisker arrays. The model also generates temporal and spatial importance values of the signals, enabling the identification of significant temporal-spatial signal patterns crucial for the network's predictions. These signal patterns are further correlated with flow structures, allowing for the identification of important flow features relevant for accurate prediction. The study provides insights into seal whiskers' perception of complex underwater environments, inspiring advancements in underwater sensing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariush Bodaghi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Yuxing Wang
- Department of Computer Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Geng Liu
- Department of Engineering, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, United States
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Computer Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Qian Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Xudong Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
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Liu G, Jiang Y, Wu P, Ma Z, Chen H, Zhang D. Artificial Whisker Sensor with Undulated Morphology and Self-Spread Piezoresistors for Diverse Flow Analyses. Soft Robot 2023; 10:97-105. [PMID: 35483088 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2021.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Harbor seal whiskers possess an undulated surface morphology that can effectively modify the vortex street behind the whiskers and suppress vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). In this study, we propose a novel piezoresistive flow sensor that mimics the function of seal whiskers. The sensor consists of a bionic whisker with an undulated morphology and integrated out-of-plane piezoresistors. The piezoresistors are formed using a novel directional liquid spreading method to deliver a conductive nanocomposite ink into four Ω-shaped microchannels. Steady flow experiments indicate that the undulated morphology of the artificial whisker significantly reduces the drag forces and VIVs of the whisker at an angle of attack of 0°. Moreover, the whisker sensor can measure the oscillatory flow, which reaches a threshold detection limit of 8 mm/s. In addition, we demonstrate the function of the artificial whisker sensor to distinguish various wakes induced by upstream cylinders. Therefore, the facile fabrication and preliminary experiments of the artificial whisker sensor demonstrate its potential application in diverse flow analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongchao Liu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonggang Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,International Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wu
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Ma
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Huawei Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Deyuan Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
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Zheng X, Kamat AM, Cao M, Kottapalli AGP. Wavy Whiskers in Wakes: Explaining the Trail-Tracking Capabilities of Whisker Arrays on Seal Muzzles. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2203062. [PMID: 36403235 PMCID: PMC9839859 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Seals can detect prey up to 180 m away using only their flow-sensing whiskers. The unique undulating morphology of Phocid seal whiskers reduces vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs), rendering seals highly sensitive to biologically relevant flow stimuli. In this work, digital models of harbor and grey seal whiskers are extracted using 3D scanning and a mathematical framework that accurately recreates their undulating geometry is proposed. Through fluid-structure interaction studies and experimental investigations involving a whisker array mounted on 3D-printed microelectromechanical systems sensors, the vibration characteristics of the whisker array and the interaction between neighboring whiskers in steady flows and fish-wake-like vortices are explained for the first time. Results reveal that the downstream vortices intensity and resulting VIVs are consistently lower for grey than harbor seal whiskers and a smooth cylinder, suggesting that the grey seal whisker geometry can be an ideal template for the biomimetic design of VIV-resistant underwater structures. In addition, neighboring whiskers in an array influence one another by resulting in greater flow vorticity fluctuation and distribution area, thus causing increased vibrations than an isolated whisker, which indicates the possibility of a signal-strengthening effect in whisker arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwen Zheng
- Discrete Technology and Production Automation GroupEngineering and Technology Institute GroningenFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenGroningen9747AGThe Netherlands
- Advanced Production Engineering GroupEngineering and Technology Institute GroningenFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenGroningen9747AGThe Netherlands
| | - Amar M. Kamat
- Advanced Production Engineering GroupEngineering and Technology Institute GroningenFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenGroningen9747AGThe Netherlands
| | - Ming Cao
- Discrete Technology and Production Automation GroupEngineering and Technology Institute GroningenFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenGroningen9747AGThe Netherlands
| | - Ajay Giri Prakash Kottapalli
- Advanced Production Engineering GroupEngineering and Technology Institute GroningenFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenGroningen9747AGThe Netherlands
- MIT Sea Grant College ProgramMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
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Zheng X, Kamat AM, Cao M, Kottapalli AGP. Creating underwater vision through wavy whiskers: a review of the flow-sensing mechanisms and biomimetic potential of seal whiskers. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210629. [PMID: 34699729 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seals are known to use their highly sensitive whiskers to precisely follow the hydrodynamic trail left behind by prey. Studies estimate that a seal can track a herring that is swimming as far as 180 m away, indicating an incredible detection apparatus on a par with the echolocation system of dolphins and porpoises. This remarkable sensing capability is enabled by the unique undulating structural morphology of the whisker that suppresses vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) and thus increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the flow-sensing whiskers. In other words, the whiskers vibrate minimally owing to the seal's swimming motion, eliminating most of the self-induced noise and making them ultrasensitive to the vortices in the wake of escaping prey. Because of this impressive ability, the seal whisker has attracted much attention in the scientific community, encompassing multiple fields of sensory biology, fluid mechanics, biomimetic flow sensing and soft robotics. This article presents a comprehensive review of the seal whisker literature, covering the behavioural experiments on real seals, VIV suppression capabilities enabled by the undulating geometry, wake vortex-sensing mechanisms, morphology and material properties and finally engineering applications inspired by the shape and functionality of seal whiskers. Promising directions for future research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwen Zheng
- Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Amar M Kamat
- Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ming Cao
- Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ajay Giri Prakash Kottapalli
- Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands.,MIT Sea Grant College Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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