PROGRAMMA PRIN 2022 - BCALL PRIN2022 D.D. N.104 DEL 2 FEBRUARY 2022
PROJECT TITLE: Accurate Simulation of Bio-hybrid Soft Swimmers (ABYSS)
CODICE CUP: D53D23003410006
Budget: € 106.888
P.I.: Marco Donato de Tullio (Polytechnic University of Bari)
Other Research Units:
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and University Specialization (VAT No.: Antonio De Simone)
University of Calabria (P.I.: Leonardo Leonetti)
The ABYSS research project is dedicated to the numerical simulation of bio-hybrid soft swimmers inspired by jellyfish. The project is based on the assumption that a holistic digital representation of soft robot locomotion cannot be achieved by isolating individual physical phenomena. On the contrary, swimming behavior emerges from the complex interaction between the excitation waves propagating through the active tissue, the deformation of soft structures, and the dynamics of the surrounding fluid. Consequently, the project has been aimed at the progressive integration of these interacting mechanisms within a unified computational framework.
The main expected outcome of this research is a flexible and accurate computational tool that enables the study of fluid-structure-electrophysiology interaction, capable of providing high-fidelity predictions of the coupling between actuation and locomotion in pulsating swimmer models. In particular, by focusing on the study of jellyfish-inspired propulsion, the tool must make it possible to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between activation dynamics and swimming performance. Moreover, it must allow the systematic exploration of design parameters for bio-hybrid medusoids, supporting the identification of efficient configurations and reducing dependence on extensive experimental campaigns.
The overall objectives of the project were achieved. An efficient computational platform was developed for high-fidelity multiphysics simulations of active soft swimmers, obtained by coupling advanced methods for fluid-structure-electrophysiology interaction. The framework enabled high-accuracy simulations of jellyfish locomotion, making it possible to characterize the entire neuro-mechanical chain, from electrophysiological activation to muscle contraction and fluid-structure interaction, and clarifying the role of different neuro-muscular architectures. The numerical tool was used to simulate swimming behavior under different conditions, while maintaining a level of abstraction that ensures its general applicability beyond the single biological organism. A systematic analysis was conducted to assess the influence of the main physiological and control parameters. In-depth analyses of body-vortex interaction made it possible to clarify the mechanisms underlying thrust generation, including the case of asymmetric actuation, typical of turning and maneuvering strategies that enable motion control. The simulation campaigns also led to the identification of scaling laws linking electrophysiological actuation parameters to locomotion performance, providing quantitative guidelines for the design and control of artificial systems. Finally, the study was extended to the simulation and design of bio-inspired soft robotic systems, evaluating key performance metrics such as propulsive efficiency and transport cost. Based on the knowledge acquired from the analysis of natural jellyfish locomotion, the simulations made it possible to identify optimal design solutions in the field of bio-hybrid robotics.
In conclusion, the ABYSS project has demonstrated that high-fidelity multiphysics simulations can provide operational insights and guide the rational design of bio-inspired soft swimmers. By combining expertise in fluid dynamics, thin-structure mechanics, electrophysiology, and numerical analysis, the consortium has built a computational framework that can be readily extended to broader classes of active swimmers and deformable aquatic robots, justifying the continuation of research activities along the directions opened up by the project.