Dr. James Liao, Associate Professor of Biology and UF Term Professor, has published an important new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In collaboration with past post-doctoral students, colleagues and undergraduates in the REU program at the Whitney Marine Lab., Liao uses biomechanics, fluid dynamics and biomimetic models to study fish swimming. This study reveals a fundamental difference between steady swimming and swimming during forward acceleration. They describe the hydrodynamic mechanism that allows fish to accelerate quickly. This new hydrodynamic principle is likely used by all aquatic, undulatory vertebrates.
To learn more see: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/12/05/1705968115.full?sid=5a1e210b-9e7a-43c1-ba80-4ee450cd68e8
Akanyeti, O., J. Putney, Y.R. Yanagitsuru, G. Lauder, W.J. Stewart and J.C. Liao. 2017. Accelerating fishes increase propulsive efficiency by modulating vortex ring geometry. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi/10.1073/pnas.1705968115