Bio Inspiration of Fish Fins (Biological & Biomedical Sciences Research Paper)

Bio Inspiration of Fish Fins
Name
Department
Institution
City, Country
Email address or ORCID
Abstract
Various fish species have shown unique skills in moving in both air and water. These skills are determined by many factors that include body types, fins, skin types, tails, rays, ray-like structures, and muscles. This study explores the morphology of fish fins and how they can be put into practice through bio-inspiration.
Introduction
Fish have exhibited excellent swimming skills throughout their evolution periods. Different fish swimming methods have various advantages in efficiency, maneuverability, and speed. These capabilities have motivated researchers to investigate how fish fins' morphology can be applied in material engineering, autonomous vehicles (AUV), and robotic devices.
Morphology of Fish Fins
Swimming vertebrae are classified into four classes [1]. Class A consists of animals that use caudal fins for periodic propulsion that is best suited for long-term swimming at high speeds. Class B contains a group of animals using caudal fins for transient propulsion, which is well suited for quick turns and starts. Members of this group usually have a large tail area and are -flexible. Class C, where the animals use paired fins to enhance slow swimming precise maneuvering. Class D includes the types of fish that only swim rarely. These unique types of fins are broadly discussed below.
Dorsal Fins. Dorsal fin portrays a unique structure in adult fish and is hugely significant in fish's swimming behaviors. Studies have shown that jets with strong lateral forces are produced by the dorsal fins, which, if unchecked, can cause the fish to roll due to their positioning above the fish's rolling axis. Some fish species like the shark have very specific structural properties of the dorsal fin that show many dermal fiber bundles extending to the fin from the fish's body [1].
Caudal Fin. The caudal fin and lateral movements of its body affect the fish's steady movements in straight locomotion and forward progression. More often, caudal fin is used to create forces and moments, which control fish's orientation. These take place through conformational motions and changes. The kinematic patterns and shape changes originate in the caudal fin produced by the fin rays. It has been widely proposed that teleostean fishes' perfection of caudal locomotion is one of the biggest achievements [1].
Pectoral Fin. Numerous fish species use the pectoral fins for axial propulsion during peak speeds. This type of locomotion is common with reef fishes. These types of fins are positioned synchronously to one another in forwarding swimming. To increase speed, the fish has to increase fin beat amplitude or/and frequency. The thrust production and fin motion biomechanics are determined by the motion of individual fin rays and muscle transmission force [1].
Anal Fin. The anal fin, which is a single structure, is positioned forward to the caudal fin. Its work is to stabilize the fish while swimming in a forward direction. Both anal and dorsal fins have been found to produce balancing torques in bony fish during steady swimming. The dorsal and anal fins are normally bent during maneuvers without showing critical curvature signs [1]. The relation of dorsal and anal fins is too complex; hence further research should be carried out to reveal detailed results.
Pelvic Fins. The paired pelvic/ventral fins are found in front of the anal fins and are used for extra stability during swimming. The pelvic fins show modifications of thread-like long fins in some fish species and are used as tactile organs. Some animals use bentic locomotion with pelvic fins. Punting is one form of bentic locomotion, where the fish holds the rest of the body static while planting the pelvic fin substrate of the skate, thus moving the body forward. [1].
Photo courtesy: Ehrlich, Hermann (2014)
Bio-Inspiration of Fish fin Structure
The dynamics of the fish fin arrangement are an important component of a thorough understanding of the analysis of the transmission of locomotor forces by fish in the aquatic world. Fin macrostructure formations and design are significant for developing fish bio-inspired material engineering, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and robotic devices. 
* Bioinspiration For Smart Material Design and Functions
For the creation of intelligent products, fish are a potentially rich source of inspiration. The features of fish fins inspire material engineering. The placement of fins in different parts of the body, shapes, and sizes allows for easy maneuverability. The flexible body structure and fins that allow for easy locomotion also challenge the rigid man-made system designed for aquatic propulsion. It is important to understand the material composition and the function of the fins, and how the material functions during the locomotion of the fish in the water. Fin ray structure is important to learning about material designs similar to the functionality of the fins. The flexible body is also significant in providing a wave-like undulatory fashion to po...