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Visualization of High Speed Liquid Jet Impaction on a Moving Surface
Published on: April 17, 2015
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Spontaneous snapping-induced jet flows for fast, maneuverable surface and underwater soft flapping swimmer
Haitao Qing1, Jiacheng Guo2, Yuanhang Zhu2,3
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
Science Advances
|December 4, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a manta-ray-inspired soft robot that achieves record speeds and maneuverability. By using a unique snapping motion for its fins, the robot navigates complex underwater environments efficiently with simple controls.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Biomimetics
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Manta ray locomotion offers inspiration for bio-inspired underwater robots.
- Achieving high speed, efficiency, and maneuverability in soft robots remains a challenge.
- Current soft swimmers often require complex actuation and control systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a soft swimming robot inspired by manta rays.
- To overcome the challenge of integrating speed, efficiency, and maneuverability in soft robots.
- To develop a simplified actuation and control mechanism for enhanced robot performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a monostable flapping wing design for a manta-like soft swimmer.
- Employed pneumatic actuation for a rapid downward stroke and elastic force for a spontaneous upward stroke.
- Investigated the effect of single-input actuation frequencies on robot performance.
Main Results:
- Achieved a record speed of 6.8 body lengths per second.
- Demonstrated high energy efficiency and maneuverability.
- Showcased collision resilience and effective navigation in unstructured environments with obstacles.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous snapping strokes in monostable flapping wings simplify design and control.
- This approach enables high performance in soft swimming robots.
- The developed robot offers a promising platform for underwater exploration and tasks.
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