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Surface Modification of 3D Biomimetic Shark Denticle Structures for Drag Reduction
Kang Yang1, Xinping Yu2, Xianxian Cui3
1CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|January 17, 2025
Summary
Shark skin
Area of Science:
- Biomimetics and fluid dynamics.
- Surface science and materials engineering.
Background:
- Shark skin's natural riblet structures reduce drag and offer protection.
- The role of surface wettability and sub-denticle cavities in drag reduction is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how surface wettability and sub-denticle cavity design affect drag reduction.
- To explore biomimetic strategies for optimizing drag reduction in artificial surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of realistic shark denticle arrays using 3D printing.
- Modification of surfaces to achieve superhydrophilic, superhydrophobic, and hybrid wettability (ELIB, EBIL).
- Testing of denticles with varying heights and wettability configurations in turbulent flow.
Main Results:
- Superhydrophobic and hybrid wettability denticles (ELIB, EBIL) achieved up to 20% drag reduction, outperforming superhydrophilic surfaces.
- Shorter denticle heights further enhanced drag reduction.
- Reduced vortex formation in sub-denticle cavities correlated with lower drag, suggesting a mechanism for drag mitigation.
Conclusions:
- Surface wettability and cavity design are critical for drag reduction in biomimetic shark skin.
- Superhydrophobic or partially superhydrophobic surfaces, combined with optimized cavity geometry, can significantly reduce drag.
- Shark mucus may play a role in drag reduction by mitigating vorticity, offering insights for artificial surface design.
