Hydrodynamic analysis of propulsion process of zebrafish

Abstract

This study analyzes the kinematic characteristics and flow field information of zebrafish in straight and steering acceleration states using time-resolved particle image velocimetry to explore how vortices are generated and controlled to achieve the desired motion. The important role of the high- and low-pressure zones in the wake of zebrafish wavy propulsion is also presented by quantifying the pressure field around the zebrafish. With their precise body and motion control, fish have a movement advantage that cannot be achieved by artificial machinery. Exploring the evolutionary process of the fish structure and surrounding flow field during zebrafish autonomous propulsion is helpful for understanding the active control means and propulsion mechanism of fish. Zebrafish were constrained in a transparent water tank, and laser and image acquisitions systems were used to capture their spontaneous movement behavior. The results show that the pull provided by the low-pressure area and the thrust provided by the high-pressure area together provide the forward power of the zebrafish. The findings from this analysis of the bending control and propulsion mechanism of the zebrafish body can facilitate the optimal design of underwater vehicle propulsion methods, such as the propulsion efficiency and maneuverability of a bionic propeller.

Reconstructing the pressure field around swimming fish using a physics-informed neural network

“…its local value is independent of the path taken, to improve the accuracy of the pressure estimation. Using this approach, Dabiri et al (2014) developed an unsteady pressure reconstruction algorithm, known as Queen 2.0, to study animal locomotion ( Dabiri et al, 2020 ; Thandiackal and Lauder, 2020 ; Costello et al, 2021 ; Gemmell et al, 2021 ; Thandiackal et al, 2021 ; Tack et al, 2021 ; Guo et al, 2022 ).…”

Reconstructing the pressure field around a swimming fish using a physics-informed neural network

“…Multi-directional integration schemes utilize the scalar property of pressure, i.e., its local value is independent of the path taken, to improve the accuracy of the pressure estimation. Using this approach, Dabiri et al (2014) developed an unsteady pressure reconstruction algorithm, known as Queen 2.0, to study animal locomotion (Dabiri et al, 2020; Dagenais et al, 2020; Siala et al, 2020; Costello et al, 2021; Gemmell et al, 2021; Kasoju et al, 2021; Thandiackal et al, 2021; Guo et al, 2022).…”

Hydrodynamics of a swimming batoid fish at Reynolds numbers up to 148 000

“…Although study on the flow around real living animals is the most direct approach for understanding biological kinematics and fluid dynamics, the research object is limited to relatively small-size species with low and intermediate , such as eels (Tytell 2004; Tytell & Lauder 2004), zebrafish (Guo et al. 2022), sunfish (Drucker & Lauder 2000), dragonflies (Thomas et al. 2004) and hummingbirds (Pournazeri et al.…”

“…Several review papers (Triantafyllou, Triantafyllou & Yue 2000;Lauder 2015;Smits 2019;Zhang, Zhang & Huang 2022b) have introduced comprehensively the recent progresses in the hydrodynamics of aquatic locomotion and aerodynamics of airborne flight. Although study on the flow around real living animals is the most direct approach for understanding biological kinematics and fluid dynamics, the research object is limited to relatively small-size species with low and intermediate Re, such as eels (Tytell 2004;Tytell & Lauder 2004), zebrafish (Guo et al 2022), sunfish (Drucker & Lauder 2000), dragonflies (Thomas et al 2004) and hummingbirds (Pournazeri et al 2013). Moreover, force measurement and high-quality three-dimensional (3-D) flow visualization for a living body is a challenging task, which is important to reveal the flow physics of swimming and flying.…”