Design of an energy efficient car by biomimicry of a boxfish

Abstract

A boxfish has certain aero/hydrodynamic features in its body shape which makes it more efficient in traveling through the water using less energy. Because of the streamline features of the boxfish, it produces less drag for its movement. So, there is a lot of possibility to design a passenger car by implementing the aerodynamic features on the car shape for improving the energy efficiency. This paper investigates the aerodynamic behavior of a boxfish using both experimental and computational methods. A scaled-up model boxfish was manufactured, and passenger car model was also developed by applied certain aerodynamic features on the car shape and a prototype was manufactured. The models were tested in a wind tunnel condition. The results indicate that the drag coefficient of a boxfish is around 0.24 which is significantly lower than current drag coefficient of a passenger car. The car design inspired by boxfish also energy efficient than a commercially manufactured passenger car. Hence, a boxfish shape can be adapted for achieving low drag and energy efficient motor vehicle design.