Large-proportional shrunken bio-replication of shark skin based on UV-curing shrinkage

Abstract

The shark skin effect has attracted worldwide attention because of its superior drag reduction. As the product of natural selection, the maximum drag reduction of shark skin is found in its normal living environment. Large-proportional shrinkage of shark skin morphology is greatly anticipated for its adaptation to faster fluid flow. One novel approach, large-proportional shrunken bio-replication, is proposed as a method to adjust the optimal drag reduction region of shark skin based on the shrinkage of UV-cured material. The shark skin is taken as a replica template to allow large-proportional shrinking in the drag reduction morphology by taking advantage of the shrinkage of UV-curable material. The accuracy of the large-proportional shrunken bio-replication approach is verified by a comparison between original and shrunken bio-replicated shark skin, which shows that the shrinking ratio can reach 23% and the bio-replication accuracy is higher than 95%. In addition, the translation of the optimum drag reduction peak of natural surface function to various applications and environments is proved by drag reduction experiments.

Thriving artificial underwater drag-reduction materials inspired from aquatic animals: progresses and challenges

“…Thus, Chen et al proposed a scalable special direct bio-replication micro-imprinting technology to adjust the optimal drag-reduction area of shark skin. 135 The UV-curable material is cast on real shark skin and shrinks during the formation of the negative template. The nal imitation sample prepared was tested and the shrinking ratio reaches 23% compared with the real shark scale.…”

“…Thus, Chen et al proposed a scalable special direct bio-replication micro-imprinting technology to adjust the optimal drag-reduction area of shark skin. 135 …”

Computational analysis to enhance the compressible flow over an aerofoil surface

“…Luo et al (2015) tested their longitudinal stretched shark skin made of polymer in fluid flow and induced second vortices which resulted in 14% drag reduction. Chen et al (2014) analysed their bio replicated shark-skin pattern in fluid flow and noted that drag could be reduced near to 25%. Bixler and Bhushan (2013) developed a shark skin-inspired biomimetic pattern and examined in fluid flow.…”

“…These results have motivated several researchers to develop more shark-skin patterns. Chen et al (2014) founded in their investigation on bio replication of shark skin that drag could be reduced up to 11% with the help of an ultraviolet curved material. Additionally, Gaddam et al (2020) examined their micro dimples made of aluminium and copper in fluid flow.…”

Functional surface formation by efficient laser ablation using single-pulse and burst-modes

“…Bio-inspired functional surfaces and their mimicking are getting a large amount of interest in technology, science, and medicine due to exceptional functional properties [64][65][66][67] . The most wildly investigated are the surfaces that mimic the shark-skin like structures which decrease friction with gases and liquids and also has antibacterial functionality [68][69][70][71][72][73] . The efficient laser milling is the perfect technique that enables replicating bio-inspired with unique functions at high fabrication rates 48 .…”