Wavy Whiskers in Phocid Seals Exhibit High Signal-to-Noise in Sensing Hydrodynamic Flows
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Phocid seals can detect fish from distances up to 180 meters solely using undulating whiskers. The unique undulating surfaces of these whiskers have been found to minimize vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). In our previous work, we measured the ratios of undulation wavelength (λ) to mean diameter $\left(D_{m}\right),\left(\lambda / D_{m}\right)$ in both harbor and grey seals, yielding values of approximately 4.36 and 4.63, respectively. In this study, we delve into the significance of the $\lambda / D_{m}$ ratio to the vibration responses of seal whiskers in a fluid flow. We conducted comprehensive fluid-structure interaction studies using COMSOL Multiphysics®, wherein we studied vibration responses of harbor and grey seal whisker structures with diverse $\lambda / D_{m}$ values in the oncoming flow. Our results indicate that seal whiskers exhibited a trough in their VIV responses and a peak in wake-induced vibration (WIV) responses at $\lambda / D_{m}$ values around 4 to 5. Our findings could imply that the evolutionary optimization of the $\lambda / D_{m}$ value enables seal whiskers with resistance to VIV and sensitivity to WIV.
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: European Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W4407169700