A Numerical Tool for the Analysis of Bioinspired Aquatic Locomotion
A Numerical Tool for the Analysis of Bioinspired Aquatic Locomotion

Author: Giovanni Bianchi

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-05-23

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 3031305485

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This book presents a novel method for the numerical simulation of swimming animals. It includes a review of the hydrodynamics of swimming, a description of the CFD model adopted, and a description of the results obtained by applying this model to the cownose ray. This method is developed for the open-source software OpenFOAM and relies on an overset mesh. A custom library is added to the solver to include the equations of the kinematics of the animal under investigation, combining the deformation of the fish fins with the computed displacement and rotation of the animal's body. The presented method helps investigate the dynamics of any animal moving in a fluid, provided that its kinematics is known, and in this work, it is applied to investigate the hydrodynamics of a cownose ray. This book is intended for researchers and engineers who aim to deeply understand the hydrodynamics of fish swimming and to design bioinspired autonomous underwater vehicles or novel propulsion systems.

A Numerical Tool for the Analysis of Bioinspired Aquatic Locomotion
A Numerical Tool for the Analysis of Bioinspired Aquatic Locomotion

Author: Giovanni Bianchi

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2023-06-01

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9783031305474

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This book presents a novel method for the numerical simulation of swimming animals. It includes a review of the hydrodynamics of swimming, a description of the CFD model adopted, and a description of the results obtained by applying this model to the cownose ray. This method is developed for the open-source software OpenFOAM and relies on an overset mesh. A custom library is added to the solver to include the equations of the kinematics of the animal under investigation, combining the deformation of the fish fins with the computed displacement and rotation of the animal's body. The presented method helps investigate the dynamics of any animal moving in a fluid, provided that its kinematics is known, and in this work, it is applied to investigate the hydrodynamics of a cownose ray. This book is intended for researchers and engineers who aim to deeply understand the hydrodynamics of fish swimming and to design bioinspired autonomous underwater vehicles or novel propulsion systems.

Biologically Inspired Robotics
Biologically Inspired Robotics

Author: Yunhui Liu

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2011-12-21

Total Pages: 343

ISBN-13: 1439854882

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Robotic engineering inspired by biology—biomimetics—has many potential applications: robot snakes can be used for rescue operations in disasters, snake-like endoscopes can be used in medical diagnosis, and artificial muscles can replace damaged muscles to recover the motor functions of human limbs. Conversely, the application of robotics technology to our understanding of biological systems and behaviors—biorobotic modeling and analysis—provides unique research opportunities: robotic manipulation technology with optical tweezers can be used to study the cell mechanics of human red blood cells, a surface electromyography sensing system can help us identify the relation between muscle forces and hand movements, and mathematical models of brain circuitry may help us understand how the cerebellum achieves movement control. Biologically Inspired Robotics contains cutting-edge material—considerably expanded and with additional analysis—from the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO). These 16 chapters cover both biomimetics and biorobotic modeling/analysis, taking readers through an exploration of biologically inspired robot design and control, micro/nano bio-robotic systems, biological measurement and actuation, and applications of robotics technology to biological problems. Contributors examine a wide range of topics, including: A method for controlling the motion of a robotic snake The design of a bionic fitness cycle inspired by the jaguar The use of autonomous robotic fish to detect pollution A noninvasive brain-activity scanning method using a hybrid sensor A rehabilitation system for recovering motor function in human hands after injury Human-like robotic eye and head movements in human–machine interactions A state-of-the-art resource for graduate students and researchers in the fields of control engineering, robotics, and biomedical engineering, this text helps readers understand the technology and principles in this emerging field.

Advances in Service and Industrial Robotics
Advances in Service and Industrial Robotics

Author: Saïd Zeghloul

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-06-18

Total Pages: 609

ISBN-13: 3030489892

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This book gathers contributions by researchers from several countries on all major areas of robotic research, development and innovation, as well as new applications and current trends. The topics covered include: novel designs and applications of robotic systems, intelligent cooperating and service robots, advanced robot control, human-robot interfaces, robot vision systems, mobile robots, humanoid and walking robots, bio-inspired and swarm robotic systems, aerial, underwater and spatial robots, robots for ambient assisted living, medical robots and bionic prostheses, cognitive robots, cloud robotics, ethical and social issues in robotics, etc. Given its scope, the book offers a source of information and inspiration for researchers seeking to improve their work and gather new ideas for future developments. The contents reflect the outcomes of the activities of RAAD (International Conference on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region) in 2020.

Bioinspired Structures and Design
Bioinspired Structures and Design

Author: Wole Soboyejo

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2020-09-17

Total Pages: 374

ISBN-13: 1108963447

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Master simple to advanced biomaterials and structures with this essential text. Featuring topics ranging from bionanoengineered materials to bio-inspired structures for spacecraft and bio-inspired robots, and covering issues such as motility, sensing, control and morphology, this highly illustrated text walks the reader through key scientific and practical engineering principles, discussing properties, applications and design. Presenting case studies for the design of materials and structures at the nano, micro, meso and macro-scales, and written by some of the leading experts on the subject, this is the ideal introduction to this emerging field for students in engineering and science as well as researchers.

Low-Speed Aerodynamics
Low-Speed Aerodynamics

Author: Joseph Katz

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2001-02-05

Total Pages: 636

ISBN-13: 9780521665520

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Low-speed aerodynamics is important in the design and operation of aircraft flying at low Mach number, and ground and marine vehicles. This 2001 book offers a modern treatment of the subject, both the theory of inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational aerodynamics and the computational techniques now available to solve complex problems. A unique feature of the text is that the computational approach (from a single vortex element to a three-dimensional panel formulation) is interwoven throughout. Thus, the reader can learn about classical methods of the past, while also learning how to use numerical methods to solve real-world aerodynamic problems. This second edition has a new chapter on the laminar boundary layer (emphasis on the viscous-inviscid coupling), the latest versions of computational techniques, and additional coverage of interaction problems. It includes a systematic treatment of two-dimensional panel methods and a detailed presentation of computational techniques for three-dimensional and unsteady flows. With extensive illustrations and examples, this book will be useful for senior and beginning graduate-level courses, as well as a helpful reference tool for practising engineers.

Bioinspired Actuators and Sensors
Bioinspired Actuators and Sensors

Author: Minoru Taya

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-10-13

Total Pages: 539

ISBN-13: 1107065380

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From experts in engineering and biology, this is the first book to integrate sensor and actuator technology with bioinspired design.

Bioinspired Sensing, Actuation, and Control in Underwater Soft Robotic Systems
Bioinspired Sensing, Actuation, and Control in Underwater Soft Robotic Systems

Author: Derek A. Paley

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-11-06

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 303050476X

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This book includes representative research from the state‐of‐the‐art in the emerging field of soft robotics, with a special focus on bioinspired soft robotics for underwater applications. Topics include novel materials, sensors, actuators, and system design for distributed estimation and control of soft robotic appendages inspired by the octopus and seastar. It summarizes the latest findings in an emerging field of bioinspired soft robotics for the underwater domain, primarily drawing from (but not limited to) an ongoing research program in bioinspired autonomous systems sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. The program has stimulated cross‐disciplinary research in biology, material science, computational mechanics, and systems and control for the purpose of creating novel robotic appendages for maritime applications. The book collects recent results in this area.

Between Sea and Sky: Aerial Aquatic Locomotion in Miniature Robots
Between Sea and Sky: Aerial Aquatic Locomotion in Miniature Robots

Author: Raphael Zufferey

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-01-03

Total Pages: 253

ISBN-13: 3030895750

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This book reports on the state of the art in the field of aerial-aquatic locomotion, focusing on the main challenges concerning the translation of this important ability from nature to synthetic systems, and describing innovative engineering solutions that have been applied in practice by the authors at the Aerial Robotics Lab of Imperial College London. After a general introduction to aerial-aquatic locomotion in nature, and a summary of the most important engineering achievements, the book introduces readers to important physical and mathematical aspects of the multimodal locomotion problem. Besides the basic physics involved in aerial-aquatic locomotion, the role of different phenomena happening in fluids, or those due to structural mechanics effects or to power provision, are presented in depth, across a large dimension range, from millimeters to hundreds of meters. In turn, a practice-oriented discussion on the obstacles and opportunities of miniaturization, for both robots and animals is carried out. This is followed by applied engineering considerations, which describe relevant hardware considerations involved in propulsion, control, communication and fabrication. Different case studies are analyzed in detail, reporting on the latest research carried out by the authors, and covering topics such as propulsive aquatic escape, the challenging mechanics of water impact, and a hybrid sailing and flying aircraft. Offering extensive and timely information on the design, construction and operation of small-scale robots, and on multimodal locomotion, this book provides researchers, students and professionals with a comprehensive and timely reference guide to the topic of aerial-aquatic locomotion, and the relevant bioinspired approaches. It is also expected to inspire future research and foster a stronger multidisciplinary discussion in the field.

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

Author: Alper Erturk

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-04-04

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1119991358

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The transformation of vibrations into electric energy through the use of piezoelectric devices is an exciting and rapidly developing area of research with a widening range of applications constantly materialising. With Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, world-leading researchers provide a timely and comprehensive coverage of the electromechanical modelling and applications of piezoelectric energy harvesters. They present principal modelling approaches, synthesizing fundamental material related to mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical and materials engineering disciplines for vibration-based energy harvesting using piezoelectric transduction. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting provides the first comprehensive treatment of distributed-parameter electromechanical modelling for piezoelectric energy harvesting with extensive case studies including experimental validations, and is the first book to address modelling of various forms of excitation in piezoelectric energy harvesting, ranging from airflow excitation to moving loads, thus ensuring its relevance to engineers in fields as disparate as aerospace engineering and civil engineering. Coverage includes: Analytical and approximate analytical distributed-parameter electromechanical models with illustrative theoretical case studies as well as extensive experimental validations Several problems of piezoelectric energy harvesting ranging from simple harmonic excitation to random vibrations Details of introducing and modelling piezoelectric coupling for various problems Modelling and exploiting nonlinear dynamics for performance enhancement, supported with experimental verifications Applications ranging from moving load excitation of slender bridges to airflow excitation of aeroelastic sections A review of standard nonlinear energy harvesting circuits with modelling aspects.