A diagram of the experimental setup.
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Tandem Hydrofoils
Tandem Hydrofoils
2021-2022
PURPOSE
To use tandem hydrofoils to analyze the effects of “swimming in schools” on thrust and efficiency.
Terminology & Definitions
Terminology & Definitions
Hydrofoil - a wing-like surface that is typically used to lift a boat out of the water.
"Burst and coast" - a pattern of swimming characterized by intermittently undulating bodies ("bursting") followed by holding still while coasting.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
As an assistant to a USC PhD candidate Morgan Jones, we sought to mathematically model the "burst and coast" behavior of fish when traveling in schools. Jones, who has extensive experience with computational fluid dynamics, was inspired by this naturally occurring phenomenon. His research aimed to investigate how swimming in the "burst and coast" pattern while in tandem with other fish could aid in increasing the efficiency of underwater transport.
A diagram of the effects that the fishes' bodies had on the surrounding fluid.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Jones and I worked in USC's Water Channel under the supervision of Dr. Mitul Luhar. There, we constructed hydrofoils to simulate fish and attached them to linear actuators above the Water Channel. Using force sensors and MATLAB, we aimed to study the motion parameters of the surrounding water.
The Water Channel at USC.
RESULTS
Jones's research with USC was put on hold following his recruitment by an organization that was interested in his work. I also graduated out of USC and was unable to see his work to its completion.
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