Numerical simulations and a closed-form model identify a standing-wave response in flexible nozzles that optimizes thrust when the structure's natural period matches the fluid pulse duration.
Squid-inspired soft superpropulsion
2 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
2
Pith papers citing it
abstract
Squid span four orders of magnitude in size yet rely on pulsed jets. We show that the funnel (siphon) is a compliant nozzle whose dilation and recoil lag mantle contraction, storing and returning energy within each pulse, a mechanism we term superpropulsion. Histology reveals a collagen sheath, and chromatophore tracking in two squid species quantifies a repeatable phase lag. Engineered nozzles, 3D fluid-structure simulations, and a reduced-order mathematical model predict > 300% impulse amplification when nozzle response time matches jet acceleration (tau/T = 0.2-0.4), overlapping in vivo timing. Tuned nozzles extend jet reach, enhance plume dispersion, and improve jet-driven boat transport, with gains persisting after 40x miniaturization. Superpropulsion recasts pulsed jets as impedance matching, with a soft nozzle acting as an elastic capacitor that passively shapes impulse delivery in soft robotic thrusters and fluidic actuators.
fields
physics.flu-dyn 2years
2026 2verdicts
UNVERDICTED 2representative citing papers
Bayesian optimization of nozzle geometries reveals rigid designs maximize impulse amplification while flexible designs maximize propulsion efficiency in pulsed jet systems.
citing papers explorer
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Flexibility as a Universal Nature-Inspired Mechanism for Thrust Enhancement
Numerical simulations and a closed-form model identify a standing-wave response in flexible nozzles that optimizes thrust when the structure's natural period matches the fluid pulse duration.
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Multi-objective Bayesian optimization of rigid and flexible nozzles for energy-efficient pulsed jet propulsion
Bayesian optimization of nozzle geometries reveals rigid designs maximize impulse amplification while flexible designs maximize propulsion efficiency in pulsed jet systems.