Hu Xiaohe, Ma Zhiqiang, Gong Zheng, Zhao Fuqun, Guo Sheng, Zhang Deyuan, Jiang Yonggang
School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
Biomimetics (Basel). 2024 Mar 20;9(3):190. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics9030190.
Hydrodynamic pressure sensors offer an auxiliary approach for ocean exploration by unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). However, existing hydrodynamic pressure sensors often lack the ability to monitor subtle hydrodynamic stimuli in deep-sea environments. In this study, we present the development of a deep-sea hydrodynamic pressure sensor (DSHPS) capable of operating over a wide range of water depths while maintaining exceptional hydrodynamic sensing performance. The DSHPS device was systematically optimized by considering factors such as piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene/barium titanate [P(VDF-TrFE)/BTO] nanofibers, electrode configurations, sensing element dimensions, integrated circuits, and packaging strategies. The optimized DSHPS exhibited a remarkable pressure gradient response, achieving a minimum pressure difference detection capability of approximately 0.11 Pa. Additionally, the DSHPS demonstrated outstanding performance in the spatial positioning of dipole sources, which was elucidated through theoretical charge modeling and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations. Furthermore, the integration of a high Young's modulus packaging strategy inspired by fish skull morphology ensured reliable sensing capabilities of the DSHPS even at depths of 1000 m in the deep sea. The DSHPS also exhibited consistent and reproducible positioning performance for subtle hydrodynamic stimulus sources across this wide range of water depths. We envision that the development of the DSHPS not only enhances our understanding of the evolutionary aspects of deep-sea canal lateral lines but also paves the way for the advancement of artificial hydrodynamic pressure sensors.
流体动力压力传感器为无人水下航行器（UUV）进行海洋探索提供了一种辅助方法。然而，现有的流体动力压力传感器往往缺乏在深海环境中监测细微流体动力刺激的能力。在本研究中，我们展示了一种深海流体动力压力传感器（DSHPS）的开发，该传感器能够在很宽的水深范围内运行，同时保持卓越的流体动力传感性能。通过考虑诸如压电聚偏二氟乙烯 - 三氟乙烯/钛酸钡[P(VDF - TrFE)/BTO]纳米纤维、电极配置、传感元件尺寸、集成电路和封装策略等因素，对DSHPS设备进行了系统优化。优化后的DSHPS表现出显著的压力梯度响应，实现了约0.11 Pa的最小压差检测能力。此外，DSHPS在偶极源的空间定位方面表现出色，这通过理论电荷建模和流固耦合（FSI）模拟得到了阐明。此外，受鱼头骨形态启发的高杨氏模量封装策略的集成确保了DSHPS即使在1000米深的深海中也具有可靠的传感能力。DSHPS在如此宽的水深范围内对细微流体动力刺激源也表现出一致且可重复的定位性能。我们设想，DSHPS的开发不仅增进了我们对深海沟渠侧线进化方面的理解，也为人工流体动力压力传感器的发展铺平了道路。
