Experimental Validation of an Artificial Lateral Line Canal

Project Summary

Experimental Characterization of Subdermal Flow Sensors

To validate the efficacy of bio-inspired canal geometries, this research focused on the physical development and experimental testing of a scaled lateral line segment. By embedding a transducing sensor (IPMC) within a bionic canal, we successfully emulated the biological ability to perceive localized flow events with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Technical Approach & Experimental Setup:

• Scaled Hardware Development: Fabricated a precise lateral line canal segment featuring external pore openings and internal “artificial neuromast” analogs.

• Sensor Integration: Successfully embedded Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) sensors designed to convert internal fluid displacement into measurable voltage outputs without external power.

• Dynamic Flow Testing: Conducted validation trials in a specialized flume setup, utilizing a dipole sphere stimulus to generate controlled pressure differentials across the canal.

• System Validation: Compared experimental voltage outputs against analytical predictions to assess the sensitivity, temporal resolution, and spatial accuracy of the subdermal sensing design.