SMA active fiber pumps inspired by the squid mantle

Area of Science:

• Biomimetics and Bio-inspired Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics and Propulsion

Background:

• Squid utilize mantle compression for jetting locomotion, achieving high speeds as aquatic invertebrates.
• This propulsion relies on circumferential muscles and helically-wound collagen fibers storing elastic energy.
• The fiber angles in squid mantles range from 28° to 32°, influencing jetting efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate novel pumps inspired by the squid mantle's muscular-fibrous architecture.
• To explore the use of shape memory alloy (SMA) active fibers in pump design.
• To determine optimal configurations for maximizing pump performance through analytical and experimental studies.

Main Methods:

• Development of a thermomechanical model for SMA fibers, with parameter identification through experimentation.
• Creation and validation of an analytical model for SMA active fiber pumps.
• Experimental investigation of pump performance under varying fiber wind angles and material properties.

Main Results:

• Maximum pumping power and efficiency are achieved when the matrix modulus is less than the fiber modulus, with an optimal fiber wind angle of ±55°.
• When matrix and fiber moduli are similar, peak performance occurs at a ±90° wind angle, mimicking squid mantle muscles.
• The study presents validated analytical and experimental models for SMA active fiber pumps.

Conclusions:

• Bio-inspired SMA pumps can achieve high performance by mimicking squid mantle mechanics.
• Optimal fiber wind angles are dependent on the relative moduli of the matrix and SMA fibers.
• This research offers a pathway for developing efficient, novel pumping systems based on biological principles.