COMSOL Multiphysics

Inspired by the canal neuromasts of fish, this study explores how subdermal geometries act as mechanical filters to dampen environmental noise. An analytical model was developed along with a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation of the deformation of an Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) sensor within a designed canal system. This project bridges biological sensing theory with advanced computational modeling to enable high-resolution detection of localized flow events.

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), have been shown to exhibit a unique two-way transduction ability – allowing for the capacity of both sensing and actuation. Prior, an in-depth analysis of the dominant behaviors of IPMC transduction has been disseminated into an all-encompassing model that accounts for the complex characteristics that entail IPMC physics. In this study, the sensing aspects of the model previously developed have been further expanded to include Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) physics, supplanting the prescribed displacement within the model with conditions similar to an in-lab test chamber. The research proposed establishes a basis for expanding IPMC modeling to include FSI and further characterization of the IPMC transduction phenomena.

Designed a small-scale vortex flow meter with an interior diameter of 10 mm and implemented a 5 mm rectangular IPMC sensor to detect the frequency of vortices shedding from a bluff body. SLA printed and wired fully functional prototype. Performed COMSOL fluidstructure analysis to verify acquired experimental data.