Symmetry breaking during flapping generates lift
Monday, October 22, 2012 - 09:31
in Earth & Climate
(Phys.org)—A small, translucent sea slug called Clione antarctica swims through the cold waters near the polar regions by flapping its wings. At the same time, tiny cilia that circle the sea slug's body in three bands may flap passively and assist in movement. In this mode, the cilia are inert – unable to move themselves – and scientists don't fully understand what role they play in the sea slug's locomotion. Now in a new study, scientists have found a clue to how passive flapping elements generate movement: through a process commonly found in many areas of science called symmetry breaking.