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Experimental investigations on drag-reduction characteristics of bionic surface with water-trapping microstructures of fish scales

Wu, Liyan; Jiao, Zhibin; Song, Yuqiu; Liu, Cuihong; Wang, Huan; Yan, Yuying

Experimental investigations on drag-reduction characteristics of bionic surface with water-trapping microstructures of fish scales Thumbnail


Authors

Liyan Wu

Zhibin Jiao

Yuqiu Song

Cuihong Liu

Huan Wang

YUYING YAN YUYING.YAN@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Thermofluids Engineering



Abstract

Biological surfaces with unique wettability in nature have provided an enormous innovation for scientists and engineers. More specifically, materials possessing various wetting properties have drawn considerable attention owing to their promising application prospects. Recently, great efforts have been concentrated on the researches on wetting-induced drag-reduction materials inspired by biology because of their ability to save energy. In this work, the drag-reduction characteristics of the bionic surface with delicate water-trapping microstructures of fish Ctenopharyngodon idellus scales were explored by experimental method. Firstly, the resistance of smooth surface and bionic surface experimental sample at different speeds was carefully tested through the testing system for operation resistance. Then, the contact angle (CA) of fish scale surface was measured by means of the contact angle measuring instrument. It was discovered that the bionic surface created a rewarding drag-reduction effect at a low speed, and the drag-reduction rate significantly displayed a downward trend with the increase in flow speed. Thus, when the rate was 0.66 m/s, the drag-reduction effect was at the optimum level, and the maximum drag reduction rate was 2.805%, which was in concordance with the simulated one. Furthermore, a contact angle (CA) of 11.5° appeared on the fish scale surface, exhibiting fine hydrophilic property. It further manifested the spreading-wetting phenomenon and the higher surface energy for the area of apical of fish scales, which played an important role in drag-reduction performance. This work will have a great potential in the engineering and transportation field.

Citation

Wu, L., Jiao, Z., Song, Y., Liu, C., Wang, H., & Yan, Y. (2018). Experimental investigations on drag-reduction characteristics of bionic surface with water-trapping microstructures of fish scales. Scientific Reports, 8, Article 12186. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30490-x

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 25, 2018
Online Publication Date Aug 15, 2018
Publication Date Aug 15, 2018
Deposit Date Jan 31, 2019
Publicly Available Date Jan 31, 2019
Journal Scientific Reports
Electronic ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher Nature Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Article Number 12186
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30490-x
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1222130
Publisher URL https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30490-x
Contract Date Jan 31, 2019

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