Bio-inspired swimming helix

This thesis investigated a bio-inspired swimming chain (BISH), inspired by Weelia cylindrica. After developing a model, it was used to investigate conditions under which helical motion would emerge. The properties of this chain as the number of nodes changes was also investigated, to see if the helical motion or other properties of its motion were emergent behaviors. Other modes of motion were also observed. Optimization of the angle of propulsion of each was performed, and other optimizations attempted, although practical difficulties prevented useful results. A ten node chain was constructed to empirically verify the helical mode of motion.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Benjamin C. F. (Benjamin Cedar Fruehauf)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alexandra H. Techet.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement 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. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/77023

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/77023