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Lipid Bilayer Vesicle Generation Using Microfluidic Jetting
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Propulsive design principles in a multi-jet siphonophore.

Kelly R Sutherland1, Brad J Gemmell2, Sean P Colin3,4

  • 1Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97402, USA ksuth@uoregon.edu.

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|March 1, 2019
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Siphonophores use coordinated nectophore and velum movements for efficient jet propulsion. This study reveals how their unique refill phase enhances swimming performance by generating additional forward thrust.

Keywords:
ColonyNanomia bijugaPropulsionVelum

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Fluid Mechanics

Background:

  • Siphonophores are colonial marine organisms that use multiple swimming zooids (nectophores) for locomotion.
  • Detailed kinematics of individual nectophores and their fluid dynamics during swimming are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the detailed kinematics of nectophores and velar motion in the siphonophore *Nanomia bijuga*.
  • To analyze the fluid dynamics associated with jetting and refilling phases.
  • To understand how these mechanisms contribute to overall swimming performance.

Main Methods:

  • High-speed, high-resolution microvideography was employed to capture nectophore and velum movements.
  • Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to analyze the fluid flow around the nectophores.
  • Kinematic and hydrodynamic data were analyzed to quantify thrust generation.

Main Results:

  • Siphonophores achieve high-speed, narrow jets with rapid refilling, maintaining a 1:1 jetting-to-refill time ratio.
  • Jet speeds can exceed 300 body lengths per second.
  • Thrust generation during the refill phase, due to velocity gradients and high-pressure regions, increases travel distance by 17%.

Conclusions:

  • The integrated kinematics of nectophores and velum enable efficient jet propulsion in siphonophores.
  • Thrust generation during both jetting and refilling phases significantly enhances swimming efficiency.
  • Findings offer insights into bio-inspired designs for multijet underwater vehicles.