Artificial Lateral Line | Nazanin Minaian

Bio-Inspired Noise Filtration & Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Project Summary

Subdermal Sensing & Computational Modeling of Artificial Lateral Lines

Biological lateral line canals are housings that additionally act as sophisticated mechanical filters that allow fish to distinguish between background turbulence and meaningful stimuli, such as a predator’s approach. This project translates these biological principles into a predictive engineering framework.

Technical Approach & Methodology:

Analytical Framework: Established a model rooted in biological theory, specifically applying Van Netten’s treatment of cupular response to the movement of artificial neuromasts.

Multiphysics Simulation: Developed a high-fidelity COMSOL Multiphysics model to investigate the two-way coupling between internal fluid flow and sensor mechanics.

Deformation Analysis: Simulated the mechanical response of an IPMC sensor under pressure differentials induced by external stimuli, characterizing the voltage transduction potential of the system.

Noise Filtration Theory: Analyzed how specific canal geometries and pore placements effectively dampen ambient “noise” while amplifying relevant hydrodynamic signals.

Experimental Validation of an Artificial Lateral Line Canal

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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.