Design and Simulation of Biomimetic Fish Caudal FinDriven by EAP Materials

WANG Sijiao; ZHANG Haoyi; CHEN Yanlin; CAO Kaiming

doi:10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2025-0164

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WANG Sijiao, ZHANG Haoyi, CHEN Yanlin, CAO Kaiming. Design and Simulation of Biomimetic Fish Caudal FinDriven by EAP Materials[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2025-0164

Citation:

WANG Sijiao, ZHANG Haoyi, CHEN Yanlin, CAO Kaiming. Design and Simulation of Biomimetic Fish Caudal FinDriven by EAP Materials[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2025-0164

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Design and Simulation of Biomimetic Fish Caudal FinDriven by EAP Materials

doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2025-0164

1.
Electromechanical Engineering College, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an 710021, China
2.
Shandong North Optical Electronic Co. Ltd, Tai’an 27100, China

Received Date: 2025-12-09
Accepted Date: 2026-01-19
Rev Recd Date: 2026-01-07

Available Online: 2026-03-30

Abstract

Abstract

With the continuous development of marine conservation and exploration, traditional underwater actuation devices have inherent drawbacks such as complicated structures and low motion efficiency. Flexible materials have gradually become a research focus in the field of underwater biomimetic actuation due to their advantages of strong adaptability, high safety, and sufficient flexibility. Relying on the material advantages of high energy density and high electromechanical coupling efficiency of electroactive polymer(EAP), and combining the flexural deformation and elastic recovery effects of a spring, this paper designed a cylindrical biomimetic caudal fin actuator by simulating the periodic deformation process of contraction and relaxation of the body-caudal fin(BCF) propulsion mode, which could achieve the continuous compliant changes of the caudal fin muscle. Based on hydrodynamic theory, this study systematically analyzed the coupling mechanism between the movement law of the caudal fin and the propulsion force, constructed an instantaneous mechanical model of fin ray oscillation, and integrated experimental data for solution. Furthermore, this study established a three-dimensional numerical simulation model using Fluent software and verified the effectiveness of the model through the comparative analysis between the dynamic mesh calculation results and the mechanical model prediction results. This study provides theoretical support and experimental basis for the design and development of new biomimetic fish.
- biomimetic fish,
- caudal fin,
- electroactive polymer,
- body-caudal fin propulsion mode

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References(21)

References

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