Propulsion
The Center's program in bio-inspired propulsion consists of a combination of field research on the mechanics of animal swimming and flying and laboratory experiments on self-propelled vehicles. The field research advances our understanding of the mechanisms whereby animals achieve their observed stealth, efficiency, and maneuverability. Laboratory experiments conducted in state-of-the-art wind and water tunnel facilities are used to probe the fundamental fluid mechanics and flow-structure interactions that give rise to enhanced propulsive performance. Whereas the majority of existing efforts toward bio-inspired propulsion involve mimicking the shape and kinematics of animals, research in the Center utilizes a hybrid approach that combines existing propulsion technology with unsteady fluid mechanics to achieve the desired performance characteristics of flying and swimming animals.
Projects
- Development of a Self-contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus
- Effect of Organism-scale Turbulence on Predator-prey Interactions
- Fluid Transport in Muscular Pumps at Intermediate Reynolds Numbers
- Influence of Flexibility and Corner Shape on Three-dimensional Wake Vortex Structures
- Marine Ostracod Swimming Behavior in the Benthic Boundary Layer Under Different Field Flow Conditions
- Passively Pulsed Propulsion of Aquatic Vehicles
- Theoretical Analyses of Animal Wake Vortex Stability
![Beverley McKeon](../images/mckeon.jpg)
Professor McKeon's research interests include interdisciplinary approaches to the manipulation and control of boundary layer flows using morphing surfaces, and fundamental investigations of wall turbulence at high Reynolds number.