A biomimetic flow sensor based on an asymmetric optical fiber sensory structure for marine sensing

With increasing attention on the world’s oceans, a significant amount of research has been focused on the sensing of marine-related parameters in recent years. In this paper, a bioinspired flow sensor with corrosion resistance, anti-interference capability, a portable design structure, easy integration, and directional sensing ability is presented to realize flow speed sensing in open water. The sensor is realized by a flexible artificial cupula that seals one side of an optical fiber acting as an artificial kinocilium. Below the artificial kinocilium, an encapsulated s-tapered optical fiber mimics the hair cell sensory mechanism and is supported by a 3D-printed structure that acts as the artificial supporting cell. To characterize the sensor, the optical transmission spectra of the sensory fiber under a set of water flow velocities and four orthogonal directions were monitored. The sensor’s peak intensity responses were found to demonstrate flow sensing ability for velocity and direction, proving that this biomimetic portable sensing structure is a promising candidate for flow sensing in marine environments.

近年来，随着全球海洋受到的关注度持续提升，大量研究已聚焦于海洋相关参数的传感探测。本文提出一款耐腐蚀、抗干扰、结构便携、易于集成且具备方向感知能力的仿生流量传感器（bioinspired flow sensor），用于实现开放水域的流速传感。该传感器通过柔性人工顶突（artificial cupula）密封作为人工动纤毛（artificial kinocilium）的光纤（optical fiber）单侧结构制成。在人工动纤毛下方，封装式S形锥状光纤（s-tapered optical fiber）模拟毛细胞（hair cell）的感知机制，并由充当人工支持细胞的3D打印结构支撑。为完成该传感器的性能表征，本研究监测了传感光纤在多组水流流速及四个正交方向下的光传输光谱。实验结果表明，该传感器的峰值强度响应可实现流速与流向的流量感知，证明这款仿生便携传感结构有望成为海洋环境中流量传感的优质候选方案。