Bionic Fish Lateral-Line Triboelectric Underwater Multidirectional Flow Velocity Sensing Technology

LIU Jianhua; YU Aiqiang; WANG Siyuan; XU Peng; XU Minyi

doi:10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0065

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LIU Jianhua, YU Aiqiang, WANG Siyuan, XU Peng, XU Minyi. Bionic Fish Lateral-Line Triboelectric Underwater Multidirectional Flow Velocity Sensing Technology[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0065

Citation:

LIU Jianhua, YU Aiqiang, WANG Siyuan, XU Peng, XU Minyi. Bionic Fish Lateral-Line Triboelectric Underwater Multidirectional Flow Velocity Sensing Technology[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0065

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Bionic Fish Lateral-Line Triboelectric Underwater Multidirectional Flow Velocity Sensing Technology

doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0065

1.
State Key Laboratory of Maritime Technology and Safety, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
2.
Information Science and Technology College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China

Received Date: 2026-04-01
Accepted Date: 2026-05-10
Rev Recd Date: 2026-05-09

Available Online: 2026-09-15

Abstract

Abstract

Inspired by the superficial neuromast structure in the lateral line system of fish, this paper proposes a bionic fish lateral-line sensor(BFLS) based on a triboelectric nanogenerator. When an external flow field is applied to the sensor, its dome structure deflects and drives an internal spherical trigger, causing the conductive fabric and fluorinated ethylene propylene film in the sensing unit to undergo contact separation motion, thereby generating a corresponding electrical signal output. By optimizing structural parameters such as the carbon fiber connecting rod of the sensor and the back spring of the sensing unit, the sensing performance of BFLS has been significantly improved. Underwater experiments show that BFLS can effectively sense underwater flow speed and direction at intervals of 22.5°. The coefficient of determination for the linear fit between the BFLS’s output electrical signal and flow speed exceeds 0.9, and the flow speed detection sensitivity is approximately 3.2V/ms⁻¹, demonstrating the sensor's reliable capability to detect underwater flow speed. In addition, the BFLS also has advantages such as simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and self-powered. This sensor is expected to play an important role in underwater flow field monitoring in marine environments.
- bionic lateral-line sensor,
- triboelectric nanogenerators,
- underwater flow field sensing,
- self-powered

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References(23)

References

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