SGER: Confined Steady Streaming Around Bodies of Complex Shape: A Hypothesis of How Fish Directionalize Sound

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CTS-0132695 M. Yoda, Georgia Institute of Technology The objective of this SGER proposal is to study steady streaming flows due to oscillating bluff bodies of complex shape in highly confined fluid geometries. It is hypothesized that fish determine the direction of incident sound by exploiting such flows in their inner ears. If proved to be correct, this "auditory retina" hypothesis could lead to a new paradigm in sensory biology with possible application in human hearing. In engineering practice, this hypothesis could lead to compact and sensitive underwater acoustic transducers.