Fluid Mechanics and Filtration Inspired by the Manta Ray

Explore novel filtration strategies inspired by the manta ray's unique zooplankton filtering system in this 57-minute lecture by Professor Anette 'Peko' Hosoi from MIT. Discover how manta rays have evolved beyond traditional sieving methods, instead deploying microstructures that create eddies to push particles away from filtration pores, preventing clogging and enabling filtration of particles smaller than the pore size. Examine a 'leaky pipe' toy problem that mimics manta ray filtration strategies through theory, physical experiments, and simulations to understand the tradeoffs between permeability and particle selectivity across three distinct regimes. Learn how manta filters achieve an elegant balance between permeability and selectivity that allows mobula rays to simultaneously meet biological requirements for both breathing and filter feeding. The lecture concludes with insights into how these bio-inspired mechanisms could revolutionize ventilation and water treatment system efficiency. Time permitting, gain additional insights into new research on open-ended problem solving in education, including a mathematical model suggesting that students who effectively switch between different problem-solving strategies may achieve greater success in finding solutions to open-ended engineering problems.