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Witkop EM, Van Wassenbergh S, Heideman PD, Sanderson SL. Biomimetic models of fish gill rakers as lateral displacement arrays for particle separation. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2023; 18:056009. [PMID: 37487501 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acea0e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Ram suspension-feeding fish, such as herring, use gill rakers to separate small food particles from large water volumes while swimming forward with an open mouth. The fish gill raker function was tested using 3D-printed conical models and computational fluid dynamics simulations over a range of slot aspect ratios. Our hypothesis predicting the exit of particles based on mass flow rates, dividing streamlines (i.e. stagnation streamlines) at the slots between gill rakers, and particle size was supported by the results of experiments with physical models in a recirculating flume. Particle movement in suspension-feeding fish gill raker models was consistent with the physical principles of lateral displacement arrays ('bump arrays') for microfluidic and mesofluidic separation of particles by size. Although the particles were smaller than the slots between the rakers, the particles skipped over the vortical region that was generated downstream from each raker. The particles 'bumped' on anterior raker surfaces during posterior transport. Experiments in a recirculating flume demonstrate that the shortest distance between the dividing streamline and the raker surface preceding the slot predicts the maximum radius of a particle that will exit the model by passing through the slot. This theoretical maximum radius is analogous to the critical separation radius identified with reference to the stagnation streamlines in microfluidic and mesofluidic devices that use deterministic lateral displacement and sieve-based lateral displacement. These conclusions provide new perspectives and metrics for analyzing cross-flow and cross-step filtration in fish with applications to filtration engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Witkop
- Department of Biology, William and Mary, 540 Landrum Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185, United States of America
| | - Sam Van Wassenbergh
- Departement Biologie, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Paul D Heideman
- Department of Biology, William and Mary, 540 Landrum Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185, United States of America
| | - S Laurie Sanderson
- Department of Biology, William and Mary, 540 Landrum Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185, United States of America
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Van Wassenbergh S, Sanderson SL. Hydrodynamic analysis of bioinspired vortical cross-step filtration by computational modelling. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230315. [PMID: 37181797 PMCID: PMC10170350 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Research on the suspension-feeding apparatus of fishes has led recently to the identification of novel filtration mechanisms involving vortices. Structures inside fish mouths form a series of 'backward-facing steps' by protruding medially into the mouth cavity. In paddlefish and basking shark mouths, porous gill rakers lie inside 'slots' between the protruding branchial arches. Vortical flows inside the slots of physical models have been shown to be important for the filtration process, but the complex flow patterns have not been visualised fully. Here we resolve the three-dimensional hydrodynamics by computational fluid dynamics simulation of a simplified mouth cavity including realistic flow dynamics at the porous layer. We developed and validated a modelling protocol in ANSYS Fluent software that combines a porous media model and permeability direction vector mapping. We found that vortex shape and confinement to the medial side of the gill rakers result from flow resistance by the porous gill raker surfaces. Anteriorly directed vortical flow shears the porous layer in the centre of slots. Flow patterns also indicate that slot entrances should remain unblocked, except for the posterior-most slot. This new modelling approach will enable future design exploration of fish-inspired filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Van Wassenbergh
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - S. L. Sanderson
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795, USA
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Masselter T, Schaumann U, Kampowski T, Ulrich K, Thielen M, Bold G, Speck T. Improvement of a microfiber filter for domestic washing machines. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2022; 18:016017. [PMID: 36582181 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acaba2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The development of enhanced processes for filtration is one solution for stopping the increasing freshwater and sea pollution caused by microplastic and microfibers. Major contributors to micro-X pollution are domestic devices such as washing machines, which also hold a high technical potential for separating problematic soils from waste water during cleaning cycles. The focus of the present paper are the biomimetic development of a novel concept for filtration and removal of particles such as microfibers in conventional washing machines. To this goal, a TRIZ analysis yielded viable solutions for the major key issues. In a next step, measurements were made with various filters with and without ribbed structures. The results are promising for the incorporation in a filter concept that is easy to operate and cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Masselter
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Uwe Schaumann
- E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH, Blanc-und-Fischer-Platz 1-3, 75038 Oberderdingen, Germany
| | - Tim Kampowski
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Kim Ulrich
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT-Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Georges-Koehler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Marc Thielen
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Georg Bold
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Thomas Speck
- University of Freiburg, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, FMF-Freiburg Materials Research Center, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- University of Freiburg, Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT-Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Georges-Koehler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
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Hamann L, Blanke A. Suspension feeders: diversity, principles of particle separation and biomimetic potential. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210741. [PMID: 35078340 PMCID: PMC8790370 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Suspension feeders (SFs) evolved a high diversity of mechanisms, sometimes with remarkably convergent morphologies, to retain plankton, detritus and man-made particles with particle sizes ranging from less than 1 µm to several centimetres. Based on an extensive literature review, also including the physical and technical principles of solid-liquid separation, we developed a set of 18 ecological and technical parameters to review 35 taxa of suspension-feeding Metazoa covering the diversity of morphological and functional principles. This includes passive SFs, such as gorgonians or crinoids that use the ambient flow to encounter particles, and sponges, bivalves or baleen whales, which actively create a feeding current. Separation media can be flat or funnel-shaped, built externally such as the filter houses in larvaceans, or internally, like the pleated gills in bivalves. Most SFs feed in the intermediate flow region of Reynolds number 1-50 and have cleaning mechanisms that allow for continuous feeding. Comparison of structure-function patterns in SFs to current filtration technologies highlights potential solutions to common technical design challenges, such as mucus nets which increase particle adhesion in ascidians, vanes which reduce pressure losses in whale sharks and changing mesh sizes in the flamingo beak which allow quick adaptation to particle sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Hamann
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Blanke
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Zhu Y, Hu D, Yang G. Theoretical analysis of the hydrodynamic filtering system in the balaenid whales suspension feeding. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2020; 16:026006. [PMID: 33105121 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/abc493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Balaenid whales are giant filter feeders that feed on the dense aggregations of prey. Through their unique oral filters, they can effectively filter water out and leave prey in their mouths. In this study, a theoretical model is established to analyze the hydrodynamic filtering system in the balaenid whales suspension feeding. First, the appropriate velocity profiles in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions are adopted to approximate the flow field in the anteroposterior channel along the tongue (APT channel). Then, a four-stage Runge-Kutta method is used to calculate the particle trajectories and predict the corresponding filter cake profile by solving the particle motion equations. Finally, the effects of three crucial parameters, i.e. the APT channel widthDT, the fringe layer permeabilityK, and the food particle diameterdp, are discussed. The results show that the particle trajectories consist of a series of backward-outward arcs and the food particles tend to accumulate in the posterior region of the oral cavity. The growing parabolic filter cake profiles are formed except for the case of extremely low permeability. A smallDTand largeKmake the tendency of particle posterior aggregation obviously. So squeezing the tongue and having larger fringe layer permeability are both conducive to the swallowing process. But the change indphas less influence on this tendency. The proposed theoretical analysis method is a fast and low-cost calculation method. The study on the balaenid whales' filter feeding biomechanics and hydrodynamics is helpful to guide the design of the high-efficiency bionic filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Simulation Techniques for Special Equipments, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Dean Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Simulation Techniques for Special Equipments, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Simulation Techniques for Special Equipments, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
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Storm TJ, Nolan KE, Roberts EM, Sanderson SL. Oropharyngeal morphology related to filtration mechanisms in suspension-feeding American shad (Clupeidae). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:493-510. [PMID: 32342660 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
To assess potential filtration mechanisms, scanning electron microscopy was used in a comprehensive quantification and analysis of the morphology and surface ultrastructure for all five branchial arches in the ram suspension-feeding fish, American shad (Alosa sapidissima, Clupeidae). The orientation of the branchial arches and the location of mucus cells on the gill rakers were more consistent with mechanisms of crossflow filtration and cross-step filtration rather than conventional dead-end sieving. The long, thin gill rakers could lead to a large area for the exit of water from the oropharyngeal cavity during suspension feeding (high fluid exit ratio). The substantial elongation of gill rakers along the dorsal-ventral axis formed d-type ribs with a groove aspect ratio of 0.5 and a Reynolds number of approximately 500, consistent with the potential operation of cross-step filtration. Mucus cell abundance differed significantly along the length of the raker and the height of the raker. The mucus cell abundance data and the observed sloughing of denticles along the gill raker margins closest to the interior of the oropharyngeal cavity suggest that gill raker growth may occur primarily at the raker tips, the denticle bases, and the internal raker margins along the length of the raker. These findings will be applied in ongoing experiments with 3D-printed physical models of fish oral cavities in flow tanks, and in future ecological studies on the diet and nutrition of suspension-feeding fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy James Storm
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.,Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine Ericson Nolan
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.,University Laboratory Animal Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Erin Michele Roberts
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.,Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Science Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
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Zhu Y, Yang G, Zhuang C, Li C, Hu D. Oral cavity flow distribution and pressure drop in balaenid whales feeding: a theoretical analysis. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2020; 15:036004. [PMID: 31978919 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ab6fb8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Balaenid whales, as continuous ram filter feeders, can efficiently separate prey from water by baleen. The feeding process of balaenid whales is extremely complex, in which the flow distribution and pressure drop in the oral cavity play a significant role. In this paper, a theoretical model coupled with oral cavity velocity and pressure in balaenid whales is established based on mass conservation, momentum conservation and pressure drop equations, considering both the inertial and the friction terms. A discrete method with section-by-section calculation is adopted to solve the theoretical model. The effects of four crucial parameters, i.e. the ratio of filtration area to inlet area (S), the Reynolds number of entrance (Re in ), the ratio of thickness to permeability of the porous media formed by the fringe layer (ϕ) and the width ratio of the anteroposterior canal within the mouth along the tongue (APT channel) to that along the lip (APL channel) (H) are discussed. The results show that, for a given case, the flow distribution and the pressure drop both show increasing trends with the flow direction. For different cases, when S is small, Re in is small and ϕ is large, a good flow pattern emerges with a smoother flow speed near the oropharynx, better drainage, better shunting and filtration, and higher energy efficiency. However, for smaller values of H, some energy efficiency is sacrificed to achieve additional average transverse flow in order to produce better shunting and filtration. The research in this paper provides a reference for the design of high-efficiency bionic filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China. Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Simulation Techniques for Special Equipments, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
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