Mimicking nature for better flow sensors

Researchers say a new generation of flow sensors could be based on the motion-sensing hairs on a blind cavefish.

Scientists from Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering are studying the Astyanax fasciatus species of blind fish, which sense the environment and movement of water through gel-covered hair structures.

The researchers are seeking to develop superior sensors through bio-mimicry of these hairs in the laboratory. According to the scientists, the engineered sensors would have a variety of underwater industrial and scientific applications.

They say the jelly-encapsulated hair cells are deflected by the fluid to measure important flow information. Unlike sonar sensors, the hair cells are compact and do not make use of strong acoustic signals.

The scientists have so far fabricated an array of eight micro sensors, able to detect an oscillating object underwater. They plan to scale up the research with the help of industrial partners to create arrays consisting of thousands of sensors.