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The University of Southampton
Engineering

Research project: Wake Detection Ability and Self-Induced Motion Suppression of Whisker-like Geometries

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Harbour seal whiskers have a unique geometry, optimizing their ability to sense upstream disturbances while minimizing their own self induced motions.

Magnified view of one whisker

Experiments and simulations demonstrate that the unique geometry of a Harbor Seal whisker is specialized to detect the wake of animals during pursuit, while suppressing the whisker's own flow induced motion that would otherwise introduce signal noise.  A simple sensor design is developed to take advantage of these geometric properties.

 Takes advantage of the whisker geometry’s unique hydrodynamic properties
The sensor design

Associated research themes

Fluid dynamics

Related research groups

Maritime Engineering
A harbour seal
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