{"id":{"repo_id":"mit","oai_identifier":"oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34981"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/mit/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34981","repository":{"repo_id":"mit","name":"MIT","base_url":"https://dspace.mit.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"The hydrodynamics of water-walking insects and spiders","abstract":"We present a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the numerous hydrodynamic propulsion mechanisms employed by water-walking arthropods (insects and spiders). In our experimental study, high speed cinematography and flow visualization techniques are used to determine the form of the flows generated by water-walkers. In our supporting theoretical study we provide a formal fluid mechanical description of their locomotion. We focus on the most common means of walking on water such as the alternating tripod gait, rowing, galloping and leaping. We also examine quasi-static modes of propulsion in which the insect's legs are kept stationary: specifically, Marangoni propulsion and meniscus-climbing. Special attention is given to rationalizing the propulsion mechanisms of water-walking insects through consideration of the transfer of forces, momentum and energy between the creature and its environment.","abstract_html":"We present a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the numerous hydrodynamic propulsion mechanisms employed by water-walking arthropods (insects and spiders). In our experimental study, high speed cinematography and flow visualization techniques are used to determine the form of the flows generated by water-walkers. In our supporting theoretical study we provide a formal fluid mechanical description of their locomotion. We focus on the most common means of walking on water such as the alternating tripod gait, rowing, galloping and leaping. We also examine quasi-static modes of propulsion in which the insect's legs are kept stationary: specifically, Marangoni propulsion and meniscus-climbing. Special attention is given to rationalizing the propulsion mechanisms of water-walking insects through consideration of the transfer of forces, momentum and energy between the creature and its environment.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Hu, David L., 1979-"],"institution":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology","degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mathematics.","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["John W.M. Bush."],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2006,"date_issued":"2006","date_published":"2006","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:22:12Z","subjects":["Mathematics."],"languages":["eng"],"rights":["M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. 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Special attention is given to rationalizing the propulsion mechanisms of water-walking insects through consideration of the transfer of forces, momentum and energy between the creature and its environment."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Ph.D."]},{"key":"dc:format.mimetype","label":"Dc Format Mimetype","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The hydrodynamics of water-walking insects and spiders"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["John W.M. Bush."],"dc:contributor.department":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mathematics."],"dc:contributor.other":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mathematics."],"dc:creator":["Hu, David L., 1979-"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2006-12-14T20:11:21Z"],"dc:date.available":["2006-12-14T20:11:21Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2006"],"dc:description":["Thesis (Ph. 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We also examine quasi-static modes of propulsion in which the insect's legs are kept stationary: specifically, Marangoni propulsion and meniscus-climbing. Special attention is given to rationalizing the propulsion mechanisms of water-walking insects through consideration of the transfer of forces, momentum and energy between the creature and its environment."],"dc:description.degree":["Ph.D."],"dc:format.mimetype":["application/pdf"],"dc:identifier.uri":["http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34981"],"dc:language.iso":["eng"],"dc:publisher":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology"],"dc:rights":["M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. 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