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Research Biomimetics Research

Research


Research Themes

Biomimetic Windturbine Optimization

In cooperation with a consortium from the wind-industry, i.e. EmpowerMI (Groningen, NL) and RG-Projects (Leiden, NL). Aim is to implement an oscillating motion to part of the blade that enhances the aerodynamic forces especially at low wind speed. That will enable harvesting wind energy at lower cut-in speeds as well as at higher efficiencies at lower wind speeds. Additional funding from an NWO Take-off grant (2019).

Biomimetic Ship Propulsion Systems

Where we have cooperation with the maritime research institute MARIN (Wageningen, NL), Aim is to design and test a fin-based propulsion system on river freighters that will allow a significant propulsive efficiency increase and thereby a serious reduction in fuel use and the emission of sud particles/fine dust and CO2. Funding from the University of Groningen (NL).

Biomimetic Innovation For Small and Medium Enterprises

In the Dutch-German border region. This 3-yr project comprises a consortium from the UAS Bocholt and the University of Groningen, together with technology transfer organizations TCNN (Groningen, NL), Kennispark Twente (Enschede, NL), Emsland GmbH (Meppen, Germany) and WFG Borken (Borken, Germany) to solve innovation problems for small and medium enterprises in the Dutch-German border region via biomimetics solutions. Funding is from the European Interreg Program.

Underwater Kiting to Harvest Tidal Energy

In cooperation with the company SeaQurrent (Grouw, NL) who originally designed a prototype of a TidalKite, aiming to harvest energy from tidal currents from 0.5 m/s and higher. The role of our group is to optimize the kite system as well as experimentally and in simulation map the flow patterns and predict the forces on the kite as well as the harvestable energy. Funded by the Province of Fryslan (NL) and the Waddenfonds (NL).

Biomimetic Filtration Systems

Where the aim is to optimize industrial filtration systems towards a real continuous process to prevent interruptions of production processes because of clogged filters. Biological models are ram-filter-feeding fish such as Herring, Mullet and the Paddlefish. Both the filtration processes of the organisms are studied in detail, but also technical translations are designed, built and tested to check for the right interpretation as well as proper functioning. Funding is from the University of Groningen.

Potential energy savings from formation flight modelled after formation flying birds

TBA.

Potential energy savings from formation ‘swimming’ after schooling fish

TBA.


PhD Projects

A bio-inspired undulating aquatic propulsion system | René Sonntag

In the context of bio-inspired aquatic propulsion, the aim of this PhD project is to develop a simple fish-like undulating propulsion system that is efficient, robust and easy to build. It should be applicable to small AUVs and also usable for educational purposes, e.g. to simulate undulatory swimming realistically with low cost models in a flow tank >>> read more.

Biomimetic Truck Streamlining | Xiaoyin Fang

In cooperation with DAF Trucks B.V. (Einhoven. NL), to derive a more streamlined cabin shape from (mostly) aquatic animals that live in currents and close to the sea floor. Aim is to significantly reduce the aerodynamic drag of the truck and thereby reduce the fuel use as well as reduce emissions of CO2 and sud particles/fine dust. Funded by the University of Groningen (NL) >>> read more.

Experimental study between the interaction of an unidirectional current and a marine turbine array | Enrique Hernández Montoya

The energy of ocean currents can be extracted by Marine Current Energy Converter’s (MCECs), principally by axial flow turbines using the same principle as wind turbines. Nowadays, ocean currents constitute an attractive alternative for marine renewables. As part of the Double PhD Program agreement between the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and >>> read more.

Oscillations of offshore wind turbines during installations | Aljoscha Sander

Offshore wind energy will - together with solar energy - burden the brunt of future green energy demand and are hence a core technology in the fight against climate change. Today's offshore turbines are already impressive machines with rotor diameters and rated powers in excess of 160 m and 8 MW respectively. However, the enormous size comes at a cost >>> read more.

Wind turbine with biomimetic rotor blades after samara seeds | Sawkat Hossain

This project is about a new type of biomimetic rotor blades based on samara seeds and aimed to fulfill a PhD dissertation. Mimicking aerodynamic properties of natural samara seeds, our goal is to develop blades for a small-scale wind turbine, applicable in urban areas. This blade would be efficient in terms of energy conversion, having simple design geometry, low functional wind speed, and it would be easy to manufacture >>> read more.

Previous PhD Projects

Self-Adapting or Morphing Wind Turbine Blades | Paul Bomke

Flying and swimming animals live in unsteady environments. They are subject to atmospheric small scale turbulence, to highly unsteady flows in rivers or to vortex fields created by other animals while flying or swimming in schools, flocks or formations. Nevertheless, these organisms fly and swim with only minor de-viations from their paths >>> read more.

Study on design and manufacture of bionic deployable flapping Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) | Chao Liu

Due to the advantages of small size, light weight, good camouflage abilities, flexibility, and portability, micro air vehicles (MAVs) have been a popular research topic for over 20 years. Flapping flight is an effective method during the environment of low Reynolds number. However, whether it is used for soldiers fighting or search and rescue, the user must place it carefully during carry due to the membrane structure and non-foldable wings of the current FMAVs >>> read more

The initiation and landing mechanism of insects on the vertical surface and its bionic application | Huan Shen

Insect flight is an efficient movement, and is widely mimicked in the design of micro-aircraft. Flight initiation and landing from a vertical surface can undoubtedly expand the working space and application range of aircraft. However, this unique movement mode of insects has been little investigated, and our knowledge is very limited. This project carefully observed and quantified the butterfly’s behavior from a vertical surface >>> read more.