309
hierarchically designed biological structures like scales, skin, fi ns and fi n rays are
responsible for evolutionary success of fi sh as “living cylinders”. Fish can swim, fl y
and walk on some surfaces. Unfortunately, the main structural element of fi sh rays –
the elasmoidin – is so poorly investigated even today that we have no clear chemical
defi nition of this structure; except that this is a hyperpolymerized fi brillar collagen
with very special molecular packing that contains some non-collagenous proteins.
I have no doubts that studies of highly specifi c and “evolutionary approved for use”
swimming mechanisms of fi sh reported here can inspire a effi cient underwater
vehicle thruster design and mechanism. The achievements in fundamental science
and engineering reached by Adam Summers, Frank Fish and George Lauder and
their teams are amazing. However, by mimicking of the design principles of fi sh, we
still use different artifi cial polymeric and metal-containing materials, foils and
membranes. In this case, bioinspiration has a long way to go to discover basics of
the biological materials that compose fi sh fi ns and rays.
References
Akimenko MA, Marí-Beffa M, Becerra J et al (2003) Old questions, new tools, and some answers
to the mystery of fi n regeneration. Dev Dyn 226(2):190–201. Copyright © 2003 Wiley-Liss,
Inc. Reproduced with permission
Alben S, Madden PG, Lauder GV (2007) The mechanics of active fi n-shape control in ray-fi nned
fi shes. J R Soc Interface 4(13):243–256. Copyright © 2007, The Royal Society
Alexander R McN (1974) Functional design in fi shes. B.I. Publications, Bombay
Alexander RM (1983) The history of fi sh mechanics. In: Webb PW, Weihs D (eds) Fish biomechanics.
Praeger, New York
Alvarez MC, Otis J, Amores A et al (1991) Short-term cell culture technique for obtaining
chromosomes in marine and freshwater fi sh. J Fish Biol 39:817–824
Ann Pabst D (2000) To bend a dolphin: convergence of force transmission designs in cetaceans and
scombrid fi shes. Am Zool 40(1):146–155 by permission of Oxford University Press
Aron J (2012) Robotic fi sh shoal sniffs out pollution in harbours. New scientist: environment.
Published on-line http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21836-robotic-fi sh-shoal-sniffs-outpollution-in-harbours.html . Accessed 15 May 2014. © Copyright Reed Business Information Ltd
Arumugam V, Sanjeevi R (1987) Effect of strain rate on the mode of fracture in elastoidin. J Mater
Sci 22:2691–2694
Aureli M, Kopman V, Porfi ri M (2010) Free-locomotion of underwater vehicles actuated by ionic
polymer metal composites. IEEE/ASME Trans Mechatron 15:603–614
Avaron F, Hoffman L, Guay D et al (2006) Characterization of two new zebrafi sh members of the
hedgehog family: a typical expression of the zebrafi sh Indian hedgehog gene in skeletal
elements of both endochondral and dermal origins. Dev Dyn 235:478–489
Bainbridge R (1963) Caudal fi n and body movement in the propulsion of some fi sh. J Exp Biol
40:23–56
Bar-Cohen Y (2001) Electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators as artifi cial muscles – reality, potential
and challenges, vol PM98. SPIE Press, Bellingham
Bartol IK, Gharib M, Weihs D et al (2003) Hydrodynamic stability of swimming in ostraciid
fi shes: role of the carapace in the smooth trunkfi sh Lactophrys triqueter (Teleostei: Ostraciidae).
J Exp Biol 206:725–744
References
hierarchically designed biological structures like scales, skin, fi ns and fi n rays are
responsible for evolutionary success of fi sh as “living cylinders”. Fish can swim, fl y
and walk on some surfaces. Unfortunately, the main structural element of fi sh rays –
the elasmoidin – is so poorly investigated even today that we have no clear chemical
defi nition of this structure; except that this is a hyperpolymerized fi brillar collagen
with very special molecular packing that contains some non-collagenous proteins.
I have no doubts that studies of highly specifi c and “evolutionary approved for use”
swimming mechanisms of fi sh reported here can inspire a effi cient underwater
vehicle thruster design and mechanism. The achievements in fundamental science
and engineering reached by Adam Summers, Frank Fish and George Lauder and
their teams are amazing. However, by mimicking of the design principles of fi sh, we
still use different artifi cial polymeric and metal-containing materials, foils and
membranes. In this case, bioinspiration has a long way to go to discover basics of
the biological materials that compose fi sh fi ns and rays.
References
Akimenko MA, Marí-Beffa M, Becerra J et al (2003) Old questions, new tools, and some answers
to the mystery of fi n regeneration. Dev Dyn 226(2):190–201. Copyright © 2003 Wiley-Liss,
Inc. Reproduced with permission
Alben S, Madden PG, Lauder GV (2007) The mechanics of active fi n-shape control in ray-fi nned
fi shes. J R Soc Interface 4(13):243–256. Copyright © 2007, The Royal Society
Alexander R McN (1974) Functional design in fi shes. B.I. Publications, Bombay
Alexander RM (1983) The history of fi sh mechanics. In: Webb PW, Weihs D (eds) Fish biomechanics.
Praeger, New York
Alvarez MC, Otis J, Amores A et al (1991) Short-term cell culture technique for obtaining
chromosomes in marine and freshwater fi sh. J Fish Biol 39:817–824
Ann Pabst D (2000) To bend a dolphin: convergence of force transmission designs in cetaceans and
scombrid fi shes. Am Zool 40(1):146–155 by permission of Oxford University Press
Aron J (2012) Robotic fi sh shoal sniffs out pollution in harbours. New scientist: environment.
Published on-line http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21836-robotic-fi sh-shoal-sniffs-outpollution-in-harbours.html . Accessed 15 May 2014. © Copyright Reed Business Information Ltd
Arumugam V, Sanjeevi R (1987) Effect of strain rate on the mode of fracture in elastoidin. J Mater
Sci 22:2691–2694
Aureli M, Kopman V, Porfi ri M (2010) Free-locomotion of underwater vehicles actuated by ionic
polymer metal composites. IEEE/ASME Trans Mechatron 15:603–614
Avaron F, Hoffman L, Guay D et al (2006) Characterization of two new zebrafi sh members of the
hedgehog family: a typical expression of the zebrafi sh Indian hedgehog gene in skeletal
elements of both endochondral and dermal origins. Dev Dyn 235:478–489
Bainbridge R (1963) Caudal fi n and body movement in the propulsion of some fi sh. J Exp Biol
40:23–56
Bar-Cohen Y (2001) Electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators as artifi cial muscles – reality, potential
and challenges, vol PM98. SPIE Press, Bellingham
Bartol IK, Gharib M, Weihs D et al (2003) Hydrodynamic stability of swimming in ostraciid
fi shes: role of the carapace in the smooth trunkfi sh Lactophrys triqueter (Teleostei: Ostraciidae).
J Exp Biol 206:725–744
References