3D printing helps scientists uncover the secrets of seal beards

We all know that seals that grow in the polar regions have excellent marine predation ability. Their detection of prey is very unique and highly sensitive. Even if the glasses are covered, the path of the surrounding objects within 30 seconds can still be known. . Some scientists believe that seals have superior tracking ability, which is derived from the seal of the seal, like an antenna that can accept signals.

The seal's beard can know the path of the objects that wander around

Recently, a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been working on a project that hopes to reveal the hidden secrets behind the seal beard. They created a large 3D printing device modeled on the seal of the beard and placed it in a 30-meter-long sink, hoping to use this device to test the function of the seal beard.

3D printing device for revealing seal beards

The seals of the seals are wavy, they have an elliptical cross section, and only the microscope can see that the span of the span is constantly changing. After zooming in, it was discovered that these beards were not straight, but presented in an arc, like a perfect sine wave.

The results of the experiment were also very interesting. The researchers found that the 3D printed imitation seal beards vibrate when the objects around the seal swim over the wake, and the frequency of this tremor is synchronized with the water vortex generated by the counterfeit.

3D printed imitation seal beard device

Scientists have proved through experiments that this special trajectory can make the beard get energy from the water vortex generated by the tracking object, and then cause the whisker to vibrate. It is this kind of vibration that makes the seals judge the size of the hunting object. Shape, and the path that passes.

The researchers found that the special shape of the beard of the seal can reduce the interference caused by its own movement, while the curved beard model with an elliptical cross section rarely sways in the water, indicating that for those who can shuttle quickly in the water. Seals, their beards will be relatively still.

The seal's wavy beard allows it to remain still in calm water. The wake generated when the fish swims will immediately make it vibrate. This is why seals can catch fish even if they can't see it.

(Editor)