Hydrodynamics of outer flow at low Reynolds numbers for locomotion and flow control

项目编号：1603929拟建项目的重点是研究由多个附属物驱动的小生物周围的动力学和相关流体流动。目标是在小动物游泳实验的基础上发展理论认识和新的数学模型，这些模型可以用来挑战现有的水生运动概念，并设计可以在水生环境中自主移动的微型机器人。拟议的活动有望揭示甲壳类动物周围的新流动模式，甲壳类动物的流动方式不同于迄今为止备受关注的鞭毛和纤毛微生物。该项目将阐明产生看似复杂的斯托克斯流的基本物理机制，利用游泳和喂食甲壳类动物时的划水腿的简单组合。流场应该不同于现有的游泳者集体行为模型中通常假设的流场，因此它们可能与其他生物和边界产生新的相互作用，并产生新的紧急行为。研究结果可以影响流体动力学以外的领域，包括生物和软物质物理学。除了阐明小生物的游泳和摄食行为外，这项工作还可以激发在实际应用中驱动和控制流量的新设计，例如开发多功能和高效的仿生机器人。还有一个推广和教育计划，包括机器人的实际演示，以促进夏威夷当地公立学校的STEM教育。拟议的活动涉及K-12教师和来自夏威夷原住民和太平洋岛民等代表性不足群体的学生的参与。

PI: Takagi, DaisukeProposal Number: 1603929The focus of the proposed project is to investigate the dynamics and associated fluid flow around small organisms driven by multiple appendages. The goal is to develop theoretical understanding and new mathematical models based on experiments for the swimming of small animals that could be used to challenge existing concepts of aquatic locomotion and to design micro-robots that can move autonomously in aquatic environments. The proposed activities are expected to reveal new flow patterns around crustaceans, which move differently from the flagellated and ciliated microorganisms that have attracted much attention to date. The project will elucidate the basic physical mechanisms of generating seemingly complex patterns of Stokes flow using a simple combination of paddling legs as performed by swimming and feeding crustaceans. The flow fields should be different from those commonly assumed in existing models of the collective behavior of swimmers, so they may produce novel interactions with other organisms and boundaries and produce new emergent behavior. The results can impact fields beyond fluid dynamics including biological and soft matter physics. In addition to elucidating the swimming and feeding behavior of small organisms, the work could inspire novel designs for driving and controlling flow in practical applications such as the development of versatile and efficient biomimetic robots. There is also an outreach and education plan that involves hands-on demonstrations of robots to promote STEM education at local public schools in Hawaii. The proposed activities involve participation of K-12 teachers and students from underrepresented groups including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.