Flapping Soft Fin Deformation Modeling using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence ImagingKaushik Sampath *1, Nicole Xu *2, Jason Geder 2, Marius Pruessner 3, Ravi Ramamurti 2
1KS Research Inc, 2Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics, US Naval Research Laboratory, 3Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, US Naval Research Laboratory
The present protocol involves the measurement and characterization of 3D shape deformation in underwater flapping fins built with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials. Accurate reconstruction of these deformations is essential for understanding the propulsive performance of compliant flapping fins.