Fish Use Physics to Avoid Running into Each Other
Groups of birds and fish may harness fluid dynamics to keep just the right distance from each other. Understanding how could help engineers build better robots.
Shimmering schools of fish provide some of nature’s most captivating displays of synchrony. Swimming in perfect unison, these groups almost appear to move as one giant organism. But with so many individuals in the mix, it’s a wonder that more of them don’t crash into each other or fall out of formation.
According to a study published today in the journal PNAS, animals that move in groups through fluids like air or water might have a hefty dose of physics working in their favor. By surfing in the wake of individuals up ahead, schooling fish and flocking birds can keep pace with their leaders—even without mimicking their every move. Understanding these interactions could help engineers build more energy-efficient underwater vehicles and prove useful for harvesting renewable energy from wind or water.
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