Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
06:50
Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices
Published on: July 1, 2016
7.7K
Omnidirectional propulsion in a metachronal swimmer
Adrian Herrera-Amaya1, Margaret L Byron1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Plos Computational Biology
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Ctenophores exhibit remarkable agility using metachronal swimming, achieving near-omnidirectional turning. This biological maneuverability inspires bio-inspired aquatic vehicle design.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics and biomechanics of aquatic locomotion.
- Comparative analysis of metachronal swimming across diverse organisms.
Background:
- Metachronal coordination of appendages is crucial for aquatic maneuverability but remains understudied.
- The three-dimensional control of multiple appendages for complex maneuvers is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the maneuvering capabilities of metachronal swimming in ctenophores.
- To combine experimental observations with mathematical modeling to understand turning performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D high-speed videography of freely swimming ctenophores (Bolinopsis vitrea).
- Employed reduced-order mathematical modeling to analyze turning performance across various parameters.
Main Results:
- Ctenophores demonstrated rapid reorientation and tight turns, maintaining high swimming speeds.
- The study revealed ctenophores are capable of near-omnidirectional turning.
- Modeled trajectories confirmed high maneuverability and agility.
Conclusions:
- The ctenophore body plan facilitates exceptional maneuverability and agility.
- Ctenophores serve as a potential model for developing bio-inspired aquatic vehicles.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Buoyancy and Stability for Submerged and Floating Bodies
1.8K
In fluid mechanics, buoyancy and stability are key concepts for understanding the behavior of submerged and floating bodies. When a stationary body is fully or partially submerged in a fluid, the fluid exerts a force on the body known as the buoyant force. This force acts vertically upward through a point called the center of buoyancy, which is the center of the displaced fluid volume. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid...
1.8K
01:05Mechanism of Ciliary Motion
3.7K
The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
3.7K
01:24Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity
369
A stroke engine has a slider-crank mechanism that converts rotational motion from the crank into linear motion of the slider or vice versa. This mechanism consists of three main parts: the crank, the connecting rod, and the slider.
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...
369
01:24Absolute Motion Analysis- General Plane Motion
224
Visualize a drone, with its propellers spinning rapidly, hovering mid-air. The fascinating movements and operations of this drone can be comprehended by applying the principle of general plane motion.
As the drone's propellers rotate, an upward force is generated that counteracts the force of gravity, enabling the drone to lift off from the ground. This initial movement of the drone is along a straight path, representing a form of translational motion. In this phase, every point on the...
As the drone's propellers rotate, an upward force is generated that counteracts the force of gravity, enabling the drone to lift off from the ground. This initial movement of the drone is along a straight path, representing a form of translational motion. In this phase, every point on the...
224
01:26Rotational Motion about a Fixed Axis
494
A rigid body's rotation around a fixed axis makes every point within it trace a circular path around a specific line or point. The term given to this type of spinning is defined by the angular position, symbolized by the angle θ. This angle is gauged from a static reference line to the revolving object. From this angular position, any variation is referred to as angular displacement, denoted by dθ. The extent of this displacement can be calculated in degrees, radians, or...
494
01:24Gyroscope: Precession
4.1K
Precession can be demonstrated effectively through a spinning top. If a spinning top is placed on a flat surface near the surface of the Earth at a vertical angle and is not spinning, it will fall over due to the force of gravity producing a torque acting on its center of mass. However, if the top is spinning on its axis, it precesses about the vertical direction, rather than topple over due to this torque. Precessional motion is a combination of a steady circular motion of the axis and the...
4.1K