arXiv subjects

Yunxing Su

Publications and source records attributed to Yunxing Su.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On the biogenic hydrodynamic transport of upward and downward cruising copepods

Mesozooplankton aggregations undergoing vertical migrations in the upper ocean have been hypothesized to have an important role in the redistribution of carbon, nutrients, and oxygen via biogenic hydrodynamic transport (BHT). While laboratory studies have demonstrated how swarm-induced hydrodynamic instabilities can drive large-scale transport in strongly stratified environments, measurements are usually performed with model organisms that differ in morphology and swimming mode from ecologically relevant marine species. To bridge this gap, we conducted experiments with copepods and analyzed upward and downward trajectories to identify differences in flow fields, force distribution, and BHT for these two scenarios. Using two-dimensional bright-field Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), we quantified the near-body velocity field and found that the average downward swimming speed significantly exceeds the average upward swimming speed, with the flow fields exhibiting direction-dependent characteristics. We incorporated these findings into a continuum squirmer model to estimate the swimmer-induced drift volume and mixing efficiency, focusing on the effects of the reduced gravity of the swimmers and the density stratification of the surrounding fluid. Our simulations reveal that both the excess weight of the organisms and the fluid stratification strongly constrain the net BHT. This study provides a critical step toward integrating lab-based models of marine mesozooplankton with remote sensing data to incorporate vertical migrations into global ocean models with realistic biogeochemistry and assess their ecological significance in actively sustaining local ecosystems.

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arXiv2025

An improved aerodynamic model for quasi-steady simulations of animal flight at moderate Reynolds numbers

We report on experimental and numerical studies aimed at developing an improved paradigm to model animal flight at moderate Reynolds numbers ($ 20 k - 50k $). A series of experiments were performed to characterize the behaviors of aerodynamic forces and moment associated with a quasi-steady rectangular wing over a range of angle of attack, $α$. We demonstrate that, while the drag coefficient curve, $C_D(α)$, can be accurately modeled solely by a simple trigonometric function, the evolution of lift coefficient curve, $C_L(α)$, is governed by the sum of trigonometric and exponential functions, where the latter captures the linear variation in lift coefficient within the small-angle regime, as predicted by the linear inviscid theory. In addition, we establish an empirical relation between the location of the center of pressure and $α$, which can be used in conjunction with the proposed aerodynamic formulas (i.e., $C_L$ and $C_D$) to evaluate the pitching moment coefficient, $C_M(α)$, about any arbitrary axis. These quasi-steady formulations are then utilized within a previously tested flapping-wing code to simulate the forward flight of a pigeon and a bat at various flight speeds, and the results are compared against previously reported experimental data. We successfully demonstrate that the proposed formulas yield much better agreement with wingbeat frequency for both animals, especially at higher flight speeds. In addition, the small-angle regime proves critical in offering higher $C_L/C_D$, leading to solutions with lower power consumption and body pitching variation, both of which are important aspects in designing future flapping wing robots.

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arXiv2023

Pleobot: a modular robotic solution for metachronal swimming

Metachronal locomotion is a widespread swimming mode used by aquatic swarming organisms to achieve performance and maneuverability in the intermediate Reynolds number regime. Our understanding of the mechanisms driving these abilities is limited due to the challenges of studying live organisms. Designs inspired by nature present an approach for developing small and maneuverable underwater self-propelled robots. Here, we present the design, manufacture, and validation of the \emph{Pleobot} --a unique krill-inspired robotic swimming appendage constituting the first platform to study metachronal propulsion comprehensively. Our methods combine a multi-link 3D printed mechanism with active and passive actuation of the joints to generate natural kinematics. Using force and fluid flow measurements in parallel with biological data, we show the link between the flow produced by the appendage and thrust. Further, we provide the first account of a leading-edge suction effect that contributes to lift during the power stroke. The repeatability and modularity of the \emph{Pleobot} enable the independent manipulation of particular motions and traits to test hypotheses central to understanding the relationship between form and function. Lastly, we outline future directions for the \emph{Pleobot}, including adapting morphological features. We foresee a broad appeal to a wide array of scientific disciplines, from fundamental studies in ecology, biology, and engineering, to developing new platforms for studying oceans across the solar system.

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arXiv2023

Asymmetry of motion: vortex rings crossing a density gradient

Vortex rings are critical for thrust production underwater. In the ocean, self-propelled mesozooplankton generate vortices while swimming within a weakly stratified fluid. While large-scale biogenic transport has been observed during vertical migration in the wild and lab experiments, little focus has been given to the evolution of induced vortex rings as a function of their propagation direction relative to the density gradient. In this study, the evolution of an isolated vortex ring crossing the interface of a stable two-layer system is examined as a function of its translation direction with respect to gravity. The vortex ring size and position are visualized using Planar Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and the induced vorticity field derived from Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is examined. It is found that the production of baroclinic vorticity significantly affects the propagation of vortex rings crossing the density interface. As a result, any expected symmetry between vortex rings traveling from dense to light fluids and from light to dense fluids breaks down. In turn, the maximum penetration depth of the vortex ring occurs in the case in which the vortex propagates against the density gradient due to the misalignment of the pressure and density gradients. Our results have far-reaching implications for the characterization of local ecosystems in marine environments.

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arXiv2022

Leading edge vortex formation and wake trajectory: Synthesizing measurements, analysis, and machine learning

The strength and trajectory of a leading edge vortex (LEV) formed by a pitching-heaving hydrofoil (chord $c$) is studied. The LEV is identified using the $Q$-criterion method, which is calculated from the 2D velocity field obtained from PIV measurements. The relative angle of attack at mid-stroke, ${α_{T/4}} $, proves to be an effective method of combining heave amplitude ($h_0/c$), pitch amplitude ($θ_0$), and reduced frequency ($f^*$) into a single variable that predicts the maximum value of $Q$ over a wide range of operating conditions. Once the LEV separates from the foil, it travels downstream and rapidly weakens and diffuses. The downstream trajectory of the LEV has two characteristic shapes. At low values of ${α_{T/4}}$, it travels straight downstream after separating from the foil, while at higher values of ${α_{T/4}} $, an accompanying Trailing Edge Vortex (TEV) forms and the induced velocity generates a cross-stream component to the vortex trajectories. This behavior is accurately predicted using a potential flow model for the LEV and TEV. Supervised machine learning algorithms, namely Support Vector Regression and Gaussian Process Regression, are used to create regression models that predicts the vortex strength, shape and trajectory during growth and after separation. The regression model successfully captures the features of two vortex regimes observed at different values of ${α_{T/4}} $. However, the predicted LEV trajectories are somewhat smoother than observed in the experiments. The strengths of the vortex is often under-predicted. Both of these shortcomings may be attributed to the relatively small size of the training data set.

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arXiv2022

Viscoelastic levitation

The effects of viscoelasticity have been shown to manifest themselves via symmetry breaking. In this investigation, we show a novel phenomenon that arises from this idea. We observe that when a dense sphere is rotated near a wall (the rotation being aligned with the wall-normal direction and gravity), it levitates to a fixed distance away from the wall. Since the shear is larger in the gap (between the sphere and the wall) than in the open side of the sphere, the shear-induced elastic stresses are thus asymmetric, resulting in a net elastic vertical force that balances the weight of the sphere. We conduct experiments, theoretic models, and numerical simulations for rotating spheres of various sizes and densities in a Boger-type fluid. In the small Deborah number range, the results are collapsed into a universal trend by considering a dimensionless group of the ratio of elastic to gravitational forces.

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arXiv2022

Hydrodynamic interaction of a bubble pair in viscoelastic shear-thinning fluids

We experimentally investigate the interaction between a pair of bubbles ascending in a stagnant viscoelastic shear-thinning fluid. In particular, we focus on the effect of bubble size, across the velocity discontinuity, on the bubble-bubble interaction. Compared to the drafting-kissing-tumbling (DKT) behavior in Newtonian fluid, bubbles in the viscoelastic shear-thinning fluid exhibit, what we call, drafting-kissing-dancing (DKD) phenomenon. In the dancing phase, the bubble pair repeatedly interchange their relative leading and trailing positions as they rise to the free surface. To gain further insights, the flow fields around the bubble pair interaction are obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV). From the experimental results, we suggest that the elasticity, deformability, and negative wake are responsible for such an interaction between the bubble pair, thus revealing the fundamental physics of bubble clustering often observed in non-Newtonian fluids.

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arXiv2021

Wake-foil interactions and energy harvesting efficiency in tandem oscillating foils

Oscillating foils in synchronized pitch/heave motions can be used to harvest hydrokinetic energy. By understanding the wake structure and its correlation with the foil kinematics, predictive models for how foils can operate in array configurations can be developed. To establish a relationship between foil kinematics and wake characteristics, a wide range of kinematics is explored in a two-foil tandem configuration with interfoil spacing from four to nine chord lengths separation and multiple interfoil phases. Using data from experiments and simulations, an in-depth wake analysis is performed and the mean velocity and the turbulent kinetic energy are quantified in the wake. With this energy quantification, the trailing foil efficiency is modified to account for the mean flow in addition to the energy transported by the coherent leading edge vortices (LEVs) shed from the leading foil. With the mean wake velocity, a predictive wake model is able to distinguish three regimes through analyzing trailing foil efficiency profiles and the strength of the primary LEV shed from the leading foil. Dividing the wake into regimes is an insightful way to narrow the range of foil kinematics and configurations and improve the energy harvesting in a two-tandem foil array.

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