Computational Marine Ethology Research Institute

Perhaps the most impressive engineered structure constructed by marine life is due to the valiant efforts of the male pufferfish (Torquigener sp., Tetraodontidae). The male fish creates a series of circular structures that seemingly mitigate flow currents and concentrate fine sand particles at the core of the structure. This construction is driven by the desire to secure a mate and to provide an optimal egg laying ground for reproduction. Figure 1 provides an image of the end structure with the male fish visible at the 11 o’clock position. 

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In a recent study by Kawase et al. [1], the circular structure with radial veins were  documented with a research emphasis on the role that these structures play in concentrating fine sand particles at the inner core and in reducing crossflow currents. A one-half scale  experimental configuration was constructed to identify key flow structures within the circular structure. Experiments demonstrated a 24% reduction in current when measured at the central zone.

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COMERI’s research plan is to:

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• Construct a full-scale computational fluid dynamics domain that captures the peaks and valleys of the circular structure noted in Figure 1.

• Parametric analysis of crossflow velocity magnitude and direction with emphasis on entrainment velocity reduction factors at the central [laying] zone.

• Optimization simulation efforts on a base initial geometry with the design parameter defined by reduction of crossflow velocity magnitude.