Designing nature-inspired swimming gloves: a biomimicry design spiral approach

Figures & data

Figure 1. Four design concepts.

Figure 2. Hand position.

Figure 3. Force direction.

Figure 4. Outsweep's simulation result.

Figure 5. Insweep's simulation result.

Table 1. Force simulation result of four design concepts.

Hand position	Alternative designs	Force (N)	Cd or Cl
Out-sweep/Drag force	FC	187.46	0.54
	HC	152.47	0.48
	FS	167.60	0.50
	HS	154.77	0.49
In-sweep/ Lift force	FC	251.53	0.72
	HC	236.91	0.74
	FS	276.93	0.82
	HS	249.03	0.79

Table 2. Membrane dimension.

Dimension	FC	HC	FS	HS
Thumb to the index finger (cm)	7	6.5	8	7
Index finger to middle finger (cm)	3.5	2.5	4	2
Middle finger to ring finger (cm)	3	2.5	3	2
Ring finger to little finger (cm)	3	2.5	3	2
Area (cm^2)	437.66	402.08	422.14	394.05

Figure 6. Comparison of surface area with force.

Figure 7. Force coefficients.

Table 3. Result of the usability testing.

Design concept	Aspect
	Material comfort	Ease of use	Ease of non-swimming activities	Ease of swimming activities	Aesthetics
FS	The material is quite comfortable	A bit challenging due to the narrow finger joints	Finger movement is restricted or limited	Slightly heavier due to the thick membrane	Good because the colour resembles water
HS	The material is quite comfortable	A bit challenging due to the narrow finger joints	Finger movement is restricted or limited	Slightly heavier due to the thick membrane	Good because the colour resembles water
FC	The material is quite comfortable	Easier	Finger movement is easier	Lighter due to the thinner membrane	The choice of two colours (blue and white) is not really suitable
HC	The material is quite comfortable	Easier	Finger movement is easier	Lighter due to the thinner membrane	Not good, better just only one colour.

Data availability statement

There is no associated data for this manuscript.