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A fin-body configuration is tested in a water tunnel to study the hydrodynamic loads and vortex evolution under dynamic fin-flapping motions, which is an idealized approximation of the pectoral fins of fish. The fin flaps about its leading…

The wavelength of undulatory kinematics of fish is an important parameter to determine their hydrodynamic performance. This study focuses on numerical examination of this feature by reconstructing the real physiological model and kinematics…

How fish modulate their fin stiffness during locomotive manoeuvres remains unknown. We show that changing the fin's curvature modulates its stiffness. Modelling the fin as bendable bony rays held together by a membrane, we deduce that fin…

Scombrid fishes and tuna are efficient swimmers capable of maximizing performance to escape predators and save energy during long journeys. A key aspect in achieving these goals is the flexibility of the tail, which the fish optimizes…

A flexible membrane deforming its shape in time can self-propel in a viscous fluid. Alternatively, if the membrane is anchored, its deformation will lead to fluid transport. Past work in this area focused on situations where the deformation…

We study a linear inviscid model of a passively flexible swimmer with distributed flexibility, calculating its propulsive performance and optimal distributions of flexibility. The frequencies of actuation and mean stiffness ratios we…

We conduct experiments with flexible swimmers to address the impact of fluid viscoelasticity on their locomotion. The swimmers are composed of a magnetic head actuated in rotation by a frequency-controlled magnetic field and a flexible tail…

Bio-inspired underwater vehicles could yield improved efficiency, maneuverability, and environmental compatibility over conventional propeller-driven underwater vehicles. However, to realize the swimming performance of biology, there is a…

Fish swim by undulating their bodies. These propulsive motions require coordinated shape changes of a body that interacts with its fluid environment, but the specific shape coordination that leads to robust turning and swimming motions…

The hydrodynamics of fish swimming depend on the interaction between the undulation of the body and the flapping of the caudal fin. This study develops a computational framework of a Jackfish-inspired swimmer with an independently mounted…

Copepods participate in large-scale diel vertical migrations (DVM) as primary consumers in marine ecosystems. Given that they are negatively buoyant, gravity facilitates their downward cruising but impedes their upward relocation. In…

We address the fluid-structure interaction of flexible fin models oscillated in a water flow. Here, we investigate in particular the dependence of hydrodynamic force distributions on fin geometry and flapping frequency. For this purpose, we…

Many swimmers, especially small to medium-sized animals, use intermittent locomotion that differs from continuous swimming of large species. This type of locomotion, called burst-and-coast, is often associated with an energetic advantage.…

Recent theoretical and experimental investigations have revealed that flapping compliant membrane wings can significantly enhance propulsive performance (e.g. Tzezana and Breuer, 2019, J. Fluid Mech., 862, 871-888) and energy harvesting…

Hovering insects are limited by their physiology and need to rotate their wings at the end of each back and forth motion to keep the wing's leading edge ahead of its trailing edge. The wing rotation at the end of each half-stroke pushes the…

Bio-inspired propulsion using oscillating fins has gained attention for its potential to achieve high thrust, efficiency, and maneuverability. Many aquatic organisms generate propulsion through coordinated fin oscillations, and…

Aquatic organisms are known for their ability to generate efficient propulsion with low energy expenditure. While existing research has sought to leverage bio-inspired structures to reduce energy costs in underwater robotics, the crucial…

Oscillating foil turbines (OFTs) can be used to produce power from rivers and tides by synchronizing their heaving motion with the strong lift force of vortices shed at their leading edge. Prior work has shown that compliant membrane OFTs,…

We study the fluid dynamics of two fish-like bodies with synchronised swimming patterns. Our studies are based on two-dimensional simulations of viscous incompressible flows. We distinguish between motion patterns that are externally…

Submerged flapping foils can convert wave energy directly into thrust, which could be potentially utilised for green marine propulsion. This study analyses the wave-induced flapping hydrofoil propulsion using an in-house developed, new…