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Suction-based propulsion as a basis for efficient animal swimming

Author

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  • Brad J. Gemmell

    (University of South Florida
    Eugene Bell Center, Marine Biological Laboratory)

  • Sean P. Colin

    (Eugene Bell Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
    Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, Roger Williams University)

  • John H. Costello

    (Eugene Bell Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
    Providence College)

  • John O. Dabiri

    (School of Engineering, Stanford University)

Abstract

A central and long-standing tenet in the conceptualization of animal swimming is the idea that propulsive thrust is generated by pushing the surrounding water rearward. Inherent in this perspective is the assumption that locomotion involves the generation of locally elevated pressures in the fluid to achieve the expected downstream push of the surrounding water mass. Here we show that rather than pushing against the surrounding fluid, efficient swimming animals primarily pull themselves through the water via suction. This distinction is manifested in dominant low-pressure regions generated in the fluid surrounding the animal body, which are observed by using particle image velocimetry and a pressure calculation algorithm applied to freely swimming lampreys and jellyfish. These results suggest a rethinking of the evolutionary adaptations observed in swimming animals as well as the mechanistic basis for bio-inspired and biomimetic engineered vehicles.

Suggested Citation

  • Brad J. Gemmell & Sean P. Colin & John H. Costello & John O. Dabiri, 2015. "Suction-based propulsion as a basis for efficient animal swimming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9790
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9790
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