Fluid-Structure Interaction of Bioinspired Systems

Natural systems have evolved strategies for moving and interacting with unsteady environments. Birds, fish, insects, and even microorganisms achieve efficient locomotion by coupling body flexibility with fluid forces in ways that challenge conventional engineering approaches. These biological systems exploit unsteady vortex dynamics, structural compliance, and flow control to maneuver, self-propel, and harvest energy under varying flow conditions. Inspired by these principles, scientists and engineers are developing innovative technologies—from soft robots and flapping drones to flow-driven energy harvesters. This course aims to provide an introduction to the physics, modelling, and applications of fluid-structure interaction in bioinspired systems. Participants will learn how vortices interact with flexible structures, how to characterize and simulate these interactions using numerical and experimental methods, and how biological strategies of locomotion and control can be translated into novel engineering solutions. The curriculum mixes basic knowledge with advanced topics, taught by an international team of experts across fluid mechanics and biomechanics, computational methods, and experimental techniques. Participants will gain exposure to theoretical concepts, computational tools, and experimental methodologies. Biological mechanisms of locomotion (such as flapping flight, fish propulsion, and collective motion) will be examined to understand their function and to guide the design of next-generation aerial and underwater vehicles. Applications will also include flow energy harvesting devices. This course is designed for graduate students and early-stage researchers in applied physics, engineering, and computational science who are interested in unsteady aerodynamics, biologically inspired design, or coupled flow-structure systems. It will also benefit scientists working in robotics, energy systems, or biomechanics who wish to deepen their understanding of fluid-structure interaction in complex environments. Researchers with a background in either fluid or structural mechanics who want to engage in interdisciplinary bioinspired research are especially encouraged to participate. Poster sessions and informal discussions will foster cross-disciplinary exchange and collaboration, creating opportunities to explore the frontiers of fluid-structure interaction in natural and engineered systems.