A kinematics-based model for the settling of gravity-driven arbitrary-shaped particles on a surface.

A discrete model is proposed for settling of an arbitrary-shaped particle onto a flat surface under the gravitational field. In this method, the particle dynamics is calculated such that (a) the particle does not create an overlap with the wall and (b) reaches a realistic equilibrium state, which are not guaranteed in the conventional discrete element methods that add a repulsive force (torque) based on the amount of overlap between the particle and the wall. Instead, upon the detection of collision, the particle's kinematics is modified depending on the type of contact, i.

The Ground Effect in Anguilliform Swimming.

Some anguilliform swimmers such as eels and lampreys swim near the ground, which has been hypothesized to have hydrodynamic benefits. To investigate whether swimming near ground has hydrodynamics benefits, two large-eddy simulations of a self-propelled anguilliform swimmer are carried out-one swimming far away from the ground (free swimming) and the other near the ground, that is, midline at 0 . 07 of fish length () from the ground creating a gap of 0 .

Self-propelled swimming simulations of bio-inspired smart structures.

This paper presents self-propelled swimming simulations of a foldable structure, whose folded configuration is a box. For self-locomotion through water the structure unfolds and undulates. To guide the design of the structure and understand how it should undulate to achieve either highest speed or maximize efficiency during locomotion, several kinematic parameters were systematically varied in the simulations: the wave type (standing wave versus traveling wave), the smoothness of undulations (smooth undulations versus undulations of rigid links), the mode of undulations (carangiform: mackerel-like versus anguilliform: eel-like undulations), and the maximum amplitude of undulations.

The hydrodynamic advantages of synchronized swimming in a rectangular pattern.

Fish schooling is a remarkable biological behavior that is thought to provide hydrodynamic advantages. Theoretical models have predicted significant reduction in swimming cost due to two physical mechanisms: vortex hypothesis, which reduces the relative velocity between fish and the flow through the induced velocity of the organized vortex structure of the incoming wake; and the channeling effect, which reduces the relative velocity by enhancing the flow between the swimmers in the direction of swimming. Although experimental observations confirm hydrodynamic advantages, there is still debate regarding the two mechanisms.

The fish tail motion forms an attached leading edge vortex.

The tail (caudal fin) is one of the most prominent characteristics of fishes, and the analysis of the flow pattern it creates is fundamental to understanding how its motion generates locomotor forces. A mechanism that is known to greatly enhance locomotor forces in insect and bird flight is the leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment, i.e.