Abstract
Accurate measurement of fluid flow velocities is challenging but essential in many disciplines. Inspiration of possible measurement methods can come from nature, for example from the lateral line organ of fish, which is comprised of hair cells embedded in a gelatinous cupula. When the cupula is deflected by water movement, the hair cells initiate neural signals that generate an accurate image of the fish’s surroundings. We built a flow sensor mimicking a hair cell, yet coupled it with an optical detection method. Fluid flow bends the waveguide; this leads to a measurable light loss that depends linearly on the waveguide deflection.
Highlights
In biomimetics, natural structures are analyzed to develop novel technologies and optimize existing ones
The hair cell of the lateral line is mimicked by an elastic PDMS waveguide that is exposed to fluid flow
The results demonstrate that the light loss is linearly dependent on the induced bending
Summary
Natural structures are analyzed to develop novel technologies and optimize existing ones. A model for flow sensing, for example, can be found in the lateral line of fish. This organ consists of hundreds of neuromasts spread all across the head and body of the fish. The lateral line provides survival information such as location of prey or predators and enables intraspecific communication and schooling. The structure of the lateral line is based on neuromasts [1]. A neuromast is comprised of hair cells embedded in a gelatinous cupula. Fluid flow deflects the cupula and bends the hair, which results in a neural signal. The neuromasts in the lateral line can be classified into two types, the superficial (SN) and canal neuromasts (CN). While SNs occur on the surface of the skin, CNs are situated in a canal under the skin, between two pores of this canal
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