2013-3 Fish: Liquid Life

Natural Systems Community of Practice Webinar

Liquid Life Laboratory, West Chester University

Dr. Frank Fish, Director

Recorded June 21, 2013, 12 – 1pm CDT

Hosted by the INCOSE Natural Systems Working Group

George Studor, Chair (george.studor@incose.org)

Curt McNamara, Co-chair (curt.mcnamara@incose.org)

Our guest presenter was Dr. Frank Fish, Director of the Liquid Life laboratory at West Chester University (http://darwin.wcupa.edu/~biology/fish/). We will also introduce you to the INCOSE Natural Systems Working Group. His topic:

“Bio-inspired Designs from Ocean Giants: Flow Modification for Propulsion and Maneuvering”

Abstract: The application of biomimetics and bio-inspired designs offer engineers and biologists an opportunity to further research for understanding and development of innovative designs. The incorporation of such designs into existing or newly constructed engineered systems could enhance performance and expand the operation envelope of various technologies.

Topics to be discussed include:

1. Differences between engineered and animal systems

2. Research on construction of MantaBot, a wing-propulsion AUV

3. Application of leading edge tubercles of the humpback whale flipper

4. How do you develop a biomimetic product

5. Limitations of biology

6. Union of biologists and engineers

7. Conservation, conclusions and questions

Speaker Biography: Dr. Frank Fish is a Professor of Biology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he has been on the faculty since 1980. He received a B.A. in Biology from SUNY Oswego in 1975, and a M.Sc. in 1977 and a Ph.D. in 1980 in Zoology from Michigan State University. Dr. Fish has published over 100 research articles, government reports, patents, and book chapters. He served on the editorial board of the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics. Dr. Fish's research is focused on the energetics and hydrodynamics of aquatic locomotion by animals, including examinations of the hydrodynamic design of biological control surfaces, and analysis of swimming for biomimetic AUV design.

He has been funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Fish is the president of the WhalePower Corporation that is attempting to apply the tubercle leading edge of the humpback whale flipper into the design of windmills, fans, pumps and compressors. Dr. Fish can be contacted at ffish@wcupa.edu.

Note: INCOSE members can get a copy of the recording by sending a message to nswg-info@incose.org