Presenter: Reid David Wynja

Faculty Sponsor: Yahya Modarres-Sadeghi

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Engineering

Session: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM, 163, C14

ABSTRACT

The Mola mola, also commonly known as the ocean sunfish, has a different fin structure when compared to many other fish who live in similar regions. This differentiating feature is how large the dorsal and anal fins are compared to the rest of the body. Additionally, the fins are nearly identical in size. This unique fin structure results in the fish having a unique movement pattern. This movement pattern can be replicated through the use robotic model constructed with 3D printing, servo motors, and an Arduino Uno microcontroller board. A 3D printed model can be used to replicate the body and fins of the fish while also acting as a protecting layer from water damage to internal computer parts. Servo motors can rotate the fins to different the frequencies of fin rotation and control if the two fins move synchronously or asynchronously. This movement is controlled via the use of Arduino Uno. This model can then be placed into a water flow chamber and show trends of how changing the parameters of the fin movement will affect the vorticities produced with different water flow rates. Additionally, data about the forces produced from the movement of the fins can be examined through the use of a force sensor which is rigidly mounted to the model itself.