Nature-Inspired Fluid Mechanics

This welcome summary of flow control concepts that are found in the natural world but which also have potential applications in man-made systems, features the work of leading experts and reflects the continually rising profile of this sub-field of biomimetics.

This book is the closing report of the national priority program Nature-Inspired Fluid Mechanics (Schwerpunktprogramm SPP 1207: Strömungsbeeinflussung in der Natur und Technik). Nature-inspired fluid mechanics is one subset of biomimetics, a discipline which has received increased attention over the last decade, with numerous faculties and degree courses devoted solely to exploring 'nature as a model' for engineering applications. To save locomotion energy, evolution has optimized the design of animals such that friction loss is minimized. In addition to many morphological adaptations, animals that are often exposed to water or air currents have developed special behaviors that allow them to use the energy contained in air or water fluctuations for energy savings. Such flow manipulation and control is not only important for many animals, but also for many engineering applications. Since living beings have been optimized by several million years of evolution it is very likely that many engineering disciplines can profit from the study of systems found in nature. Curiously, there has been little serious cross-disciplinary work and information exchange on the topic of fluid dynamics and flow control and this was the initial motivation to establish this national priority program.

A timely summary of flow control concepts found in nature Presents how flow control concepts can be understood and applied to engineering systems Written by leading experts in the field

Autorentext
Cameron Tropea, geb. 1954, ist derzeit Leiter des Fachgebietes Strömungslehre und Aerodynamik im Fachbereich Maschinenbau an der Technischen Universität Darmstadt, wo er sich vor allem mit Forschung im Bereich der Fluidzerstäubung, der Aerodynamik und der Strömungsmesstechnik befasst. Seine Beschäftigung mit der Bionik umfasst die Aerodynamik des Vogelfluges sowie das Aufprallverhalten von Flüssigkeitstropfen auf strukturierten Oberflächen.

Inhalt
Flow Control in Single Cell Organisms.- Flow Control in Insects and Birds.- Flow Control in Fish, Dolphins and Seals.- Flow Control in Human Swimmers.- Flow Control with Aid of Compliant Walls, Airfoils, Wave-like Riblets.