Fish Inspired Biomimetic Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Pectoral Fins Using Labriform Propulsion

Abstract

In this article, we analyze and design ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) underwater propulsors inspired from swimming of labriform fishes. The structural model of the IPMC fin accounts for the electromechanical dynamics of the bean in water. A quasi steady blade element model that accounts for unsteady phenomena, such as added mass effects, dynamic stall, and cumulative Wagner effect is used to estimate the hydrodynamic performance. Dynamic characteristics of IPMC actuated flapping fins having the same size as the actual fins of three different fish species, Gomphosus varius, Scarus frenatus, and Sthethojulis trilineata, are analyzed using numerical simulations.

Keywords:

• flapping fin propulsion
• electroactive polymers
• underwater vehicles
• ionic polymer metal composite
• fluid structure interaction
• biomimetic system