Shape Morphing Programmable Systems for Enhanced Control in Low-Velocity Flow Applications

Active flow control has gained substantial interest due to the ubiquitous role of fluids in engineering systems and applications and its potential to enhance aero-, hydro-, and hemodynamic system performance. This study presents an active flow control strategy employing a programmable shape-morphing system actuated by Lorentz forces in liquid metal-embedded microfluidics. The proposed system enables rapid, reversible, and three-dimensional deformations of a thin elastomeric membrane without the need for external flow sources or high-voltage inputs. The platform is evaluated for its capacity to induce distinct motions at various incoming velocities, revealing significant effects on momentum change. The study integrates advanced experimental techniques, reduced-order modeling, and state-of-the-art numerical methods to validate the system's versatility and performance. The findings highlight the potential of this soft actuating system to enhance flow control strategies, with potential applications ranging from improving the aerodynamics of bio-inspired flying sensors to mimicking natural locomotion mechanisms in low-velocity regimes. Further exploration of material innovations is crucial to expanding the system's capabilities and impact on specific flow control applications.