Peristalsis Submarine

In order to tackle the problem of global warming we must develop alternative methods of utilizing energy that are more efficient and less damaging to the environment as a consequence of a lessening of carbon emissions and waste heat.

I propose that we should develope a prototype device that will demonstrate that it is possible to convert energy into motion in a way that is very much more efficient than conventional methods.

Animals demonstrate remarkably efficient systems by which energy is converted into motion. Although animals appear to move in a variety of different ways, current research is revealing to us a universal theme that unites seemingly disparate instances of locomotion in the animal world (Petoukhov, 1999, Davia, 2006).

Surprisingly, an example of this theme is instanced by one of the most destructive forces in nature – the tsunami. A tsunami only becomes a destructive force when it reaches shallow water. Before this happens it may traverse thousands of miles of ocean with very little loss of energy. Ordinary waves, as may be instanced by the ripples that spread out from a pebble dropped in a pond, lose their energy very quickly. Solitons (of which the tsunami is an example) maintain their energy and structure as a consequence of the unique relationship that they have with their environments (or boundary conditions). It is as a direct consequence of this intimate relationship that animals like fish are able to move with such effortless grace and with such little turbulence. If one has ever wondered how fish moving in a pond can do so without creating ripples on the surface, the answer lies in the fact that their mode of locomotion is a soliton.

Aside from the obvious benefits to be obtained by developing a very efficient form of locomotion, there are other compelling reasons why research along these lines should be pursued. With most new technologies there is a very expensive research and developmental stage. Small errors that occur when attempting to estimate critical quantities may result in entire developmental stages failing and having to be scrapped. A peculiar property of solitons may prove extremely useful in this respect. Solitons are adaptive phenomena. An example of this property may be instanced by considering a soliton moving through the ocean. As was mentioned previously, there is an intimate relationship between solitons and their environments. What this means in practical terms is that for a given depth of water there is only one solitonic solution. However, the depth of the ocean varies from point to point. Solitons actually change their structure to match changes in the environment! One of the implications of this property is that the developmental stage of technologies based upon these waves may be fault tolerant.

This property of solitons may be useful in another respect. Modern systems of locomotion are extremely complex. Sophisticated computer software is required to ensure that these systems run as efficiently as possible for any given set of dynamic conditions. So, the development of new systems of locomotion involve a heavy investment in both hardware and software – an investment that, indirectly, takes its own toll upon the environment. The natural adaptive property of solitonsmeans that a locomotion device based upon them will always run at optimum efficiency, not as a consequence of careful control by electronic systems, but simply as a consequence of their adaptive nature – a soliton simply is the most efficient form of energy transfer for a given set of conditions.

The essential problem is to find a practicable way by which these claims may be tested empirically. Of course, trying to build an entire fish is not feasible. What is required is to build a locomotion device that utilizes the properties of the soliton in a relatively simple way. To this end I propose that we build a small prototype of a radically new type of submarine. The design is relatively simple and should be achievable at a reasonable cost.

Peristalsis is a phenomenon found in many biological processes that involve the forced movement of fluids in a channel – e.g fluid in the kidneys or food in the gut. The process involves the same type of wave described above – the soliton (often called a traveling wave). What I propose is to build what might be termed a ‘Peristalsis Submarine' (the idea might equally be applied to the design of a ship's hull). I intend to employ the same principle to propel a submarine through water.

The idea involves designing a hull that has two layers – an inner rigid (or semi-rigid) hull surrounded by an elastic hull. The space between is filled with a fluid that is continuously pumped from the prow to the stern of the vessel. For simplicity of design the fluid space is connected via channel that runs through the interior of the vessel. The pump is located inside the vessel – see Fig 1.

Fig 1. Basic design of the Peristalsis Submarine.

The success of the idea depends upon the careful design of the inner and outer hulls such that when fluid is pumped from the prow to the stern of the vessel solitons are formed – see Fig 2. The effect would be very similar to what happens when you shake a sheet when you are making your bed. If you shake the sheet just right, a ripple of air moves between the sheet and the bed. In order to achieve this we have to create what are termed non-linear effects. Fig 2 – Showing submarine in motion and the peristalsis effect.

Ideally, by carefully design of the geometry (both large and small scale) of the inner hull and the elastic properties of the outer hull, solitons may form spontaneously. If this proves difficult to achieve then a design feature may have to be included at the prow of the vessel to facilitate their emergence or, perhaps, if the outer hull is made of a magnetic material then the application of a variable electric field generated within the inner hull may be used to fascilitate the emergence of solitons.

If this project proves successful then it will be an example of a truly ‘green' technology – not only in terms of its potential beneficial effects for the environment, but also, because it is a technology inspired by nature itself.

REFERENCES

Davia, C. J. (2005). Life, catalysis and excitable media: A dynamic systems approach to metabolism and cognition. In J. Tuszynski (Ed.) The Emerging Physics of Consciousness. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag.

Petoukhov, S. (1999). Biosolitons - One Secret of Living Matter-The Bases of Solitonic Biology.Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Malii Haritonievskiipereulok, Moscow, Centre, 101830, Russia.