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Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – 12:00PM to 1:00PM
Presenter
Dr. Daniel Floryan
Title: Hydromechanics and Optimization of Fast and Efficient Swimming
Location:Virtual Webex Address: https://duke.zoom.us/j/9088262425
Abstract: This talk will focus on the mechanics of locomotion through a fluid medium characterized by propulsors (fins and wings) with a large aspect ratio and a large Reynolds number. The subject so delimited is of particular interest because roughly 400 million years of animal evolution have led to fast and efficient animals converging upon such features. We study Idealized models of propulsors in order to distill the essential physics responsible for fast and efficient locomotion, rather than the idiosyncrasies of any particular animal. In particular, we have identified the basic scaling that describes the thrust, power, and efficiency under various kinematics, as well as how passive elasticity fundamentally changes the problem. Our results plausibly explain the narrow operating conditions observed in dolphins, sharks, bony fish, birds, bats, and insects.