Flow Visualization and Performance Measurements of a Flagellar Propeller

A new type of propeller that is optimized for low Reynolds numbers is required to propel a small object in a medium where the flow is dominated by viscous rather than inertial forces. A propeller in the shape of a bacterial flagellum seems an appro- priate choice for driving a small object. Accordin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of bionics engineering 2012-09, Vol.9 (3), p.322-329
Main Authors: Jeon, Hyejin, Kim, Yoon-Cheol, Yim, Dongwook, Yoo, Jung Yul, Jin, Songwan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Artificial Intelligence
Bacteria
bacterial flagellum
Biochemical Engineering
Bioinformatics
Biomaterials
Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology
Computational efficiency
Computing time
Engineering
Escherichia coli
flagellar propeller
Low Reynolds number
Macroscopic models
Mathematical models
Propellers
Rotational
small swimming object
stereoscopic PIV
低雷诺数
大肠埃希氏菌
性能测量
推进器
旋转速度
流动可视化
粒子图像测速技术
鞭毛
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Summary:A new type of propeller that is optimized for low Reynolds numbers is required to propel a small object in a medium where the flow is dominated by viscous rather than inertial forces. A propeller in the shape of a bacterial flagellum seems an appro- priate choice for driving a small object. Accordingly, in this study, we visualized the velocity field induced by a spring-like propeller inspired by the Escherichia coli flagellum, using a macroscopic model and applying stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. We also experimentally evaluated the effect of pitch and rotational speed on the performance of this flagellar propeller. Silicone oil, which has a kinematic viscosity 100,000 times that of water, was used as the working fluid to generate a low Reynolds number for the macroscopic model. Thrust, torque, and velocity were measured as functions of pitch and rota- tional speed, and the efficiency of the propeller was calculated from the measured results. We found that the flagellar propeller reached a max!mum efficiency when the pitch angle was approximately 53°. Compared to pitch, rotational speed had a relatively small effect on the efficiency, and the pitch altered the flow pattern behind the rotating propeller.
ISSN:1672-6529
2543-2141
DOI:10.1016/S1672-6529(11)60119-4