Paper, Algorithmic-driven design of shark denticle bioinspired structures for superior aerodynamic properties

The lecture video investigating the denticles on whale fins has displayed the possible uses of denticles to increase the aerodynamics of engineering systems that move through fluids. This study parallels the study on whale denticles with sharks and an algorithmic driven design process to discover the superior aerodynamics in shark denticles. Previously, it has been shown that denticles have drag-reducing properties when applied to airfoils and other surfaces moving through fluids. Researchers have been able to mimic the structure of shark skin, but minimal work has been done in terms of optimizing the design of the denticles due to the large number of parameters involved. In this paper, the researchers use a combination of computational fluid dynamics simulations and optimization methods to optimize the size and shape of shark skin denticles in order to decrease drag. Results show that by changing the size, shape, and orientation of the denticles, the boundary layer can be altered, and thereby reduce drag. These mechanisms, along with the fundamental knowledge gained through the study of these drag-reducing structures can be applied to a vast number of fields including aeronautical, oceanic, and automotive engineering.

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