Mucilage biomimetic fish skin and method of making same

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of slime bionic fish skin and its manufacturing method, belong to bionics technical field.The existing technology is not better to realize the circulation and discharge of slime, and due to the left-right asymmetry of bionic fish skin, the existing technology is complicated and troublesome to the problem of bionic fish skin manufacturing.It includes the outer contour and slime supply structure, the outer contour includes the upper surface fish skin, the lower surface fish skin, the edge of the upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin is fixedly connected and surrounded with the accommodating cavity, the slime supply structure is located in the accommodating cavity, the lower surface fish skin is provided with the transport pipeline, the inlet end of the transport pipeline is connected with the slime supply structure, and the outlet end is communicated with the outside.The end pipeline is directly contacted with the external water environment, the slime flowing from the main pipeline is guaranteed to seep out at the appropriate speed, and the fish skin can be personalized, and the manufacturing method is simple and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of bionics technology, and in particular relates to a mucus-inspired bionic fish skin and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biomimetic fish skin, current technology has yielded numerous studies, with many research institutions developing various types of biomimetic fish skin and their manufacturing processes, achieving significant breakthroughs in appearance, physical properties, and especially drag reduction. However, there are currently very few experiments based on biomimetic fish models to study viscoelastic fluids. Achieving the release and storage functions of viscoelastic fluids could make artificial biomimetic fish closely resemble real fish, providing a solid equipment foundation for future diving operations. Current technologies lack effective methods for the circulation and discharge of mucus, and the asymmetry of biomimetic fish skin makes its fabrication complex and cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, in order to solve the problems of existing technologies that do not have a better way to realize the circulation and discharge of mucus, and that the production of bionic fish skin is complicated and troublesome due to the left-right asymmetry of the bionic fish skin, the present invention proposes a mucus bionic fish skin and its production method.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A biomimetic fish skin containing mucus includes an outer contour and a mucus supply structure. The outer contour includes an upper surface fish skin and a lower surface fish skin. The edges of the upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin are fixedly connected and enclose a receiving cavity. The mucus supply structure is located inside the receiving cavity. The lower surface fish skin is provided with a transport pipe. The inlet end of the transport pipe is connected to the mucus supply structure, and the outlet end is connected to the outside.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the mucus supply structure includes a mucus storage tank and a water pump, with the input end of the water pump connected to the mucus storage tank and the output end connected to a transport pipeline.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the transport pipeline includes a main pipeline, multiple branch pipelines, and multiple terminal pipelines. The multiple branch pipelines are spaced apart and are all connected to the main pipeline. Each branch pipeline is connected to multiple terminal pipelines. The diameter of the terminal pipelines is smaller than the diameter of the branch pipelines, and the terminal pipelines are connected to the outside.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned biomimetic fish skin with mucus, both the upper and lower surface fish skins are made of polydimethylsiloxane material.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the upper surface of the fish skin is a smooth curved surface.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the upper surface fish skin is divided into a left upper skin and a right upper skin, which are asymmetrical; the lower surface fish skin is divided into a left lower skin and a right lower skin, which are asymmetrical.

[0011] This invention also provides a method for producing a mucus-inspired bionic fish skin, the specific steps of which include:

[0012] Using 3D printing technology, fish skin molds were made for the upper left and upper right sides, as well as the lower left and lower right sides. Both the lower left and lower right fish skin molds were equipped with channel forming grooves.

[0013] The upper surface of the left part of the fish skin mold is poured, shaped, and cured to obtain the upper skin of the left part; the upper surface of the right part of the fish skin mold is poured, shaped, and cured to obtain the upper skin of the right part; the lower surface of the left part of the fish skin mold is poured, shaped, and cured to obtain the lower skin of the left part; the lower surface of the right part of the fish skin mold is poured, shaped, and cured to obtain the lower skin of the right part.

[0014] The upper skin of the left part and the upper skin of the right part are glued together to obtain the upper surface fish skin; the lower skin of the left part and the lower skin of the right part are glued together to obtain the lower surface fish skin.

[0015] Drill a hole in the end of the fish skin on the lower surface;

[0016] The upper and lower fish skin surfaces are glued together to obtain the outer contour of the mucus-inspired bionic fish skin.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned method for producing biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the upper left surface fish skin mold includes two first extraction surfaces, which are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance along their length, and the edges on the left side of the center line of the two first extraction surfaces are filled and fixed; the lower left surface fish skin mold includes a second extraction surface and a third extraction surface, which have the same structure as the first extraction surface, and are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance along their length, and the edges on the left side of the center line are filled and fixed; the third extraction surface is provided with a channel forming groove.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned method for producing biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the pipe forming groove includes a main pipe forming groove and multiple branch pipe forming grooves, all of which are connected to the main pipe forming groove.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned method for producing biomimetic fish skin with mucus, the cross-section of the channel forming the groove is trapezoidal.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the biomimetic fish skin made of mucus and its manufacturing method provided by this invention are:

[0021] 1. This invention provides a biomimetic fish skin with mucus. The design of this biomimetic fish skin includes the seepage space and method of mucus within the skin. Inspired by the human circulatory system, it designs an overall mucus permeation model with a main channel as the primary component and smaller, radiating channels as secondary components. Through two holes on either side of the fish's head, the internal channels are connected to the mucus transport channels of the entire fish skin, allowing for separate transport and permeation on the left and right sides. The main channel ultimately returns to the tail of the biomimetic fish. In addition to the main circulation channel, the ends of the side channel channels are designed to be open. Smaller-diameter, porous end channels are created within these branch channels, allowing direct contact between the end channels and the external water environment, ensuring that the mucus flowing in from the main channel seeps out at an appropriate speed.

[0022] 2. This invention provides a biomimetic fish skin made of mucus and its manufacturing method. The method involves dividing the upper and lower surface fish skin into left and right portions along the midline of the length direction. Since the left and right portions of both the upper and lower surface fish skins are asymmetrical, the manufacturing process involves separately manufacturing and then bonding the two portions. The process primarily involves 3D printing a mold, pouring the mold, assembling the parts, opening the end channels, and finally bonding them together to form a personalized custom fish skin. This method is simple and efficient.

[0023] 3. The main reference directions for this invention are: First, the human body's blood circulation, with the heart as the power core, supplying blood to the whole body and achieving blood circulation. However, in organs such as the kidneys, the concentration difference of the solution generates potential energy, propelling certain substances in the blood across the capillary membrane to areas outside the blood vessels, achieving substance exchange. This is further facilitated by the replenishment of concentrated mucus stored within the bionic fish, increasing the concentration of the circulating fluid and achieving circulation. Second, based on the principles of 3D printing and combining existing models, a complete process was designed to use 3D printing technology to create flexible bionic fish skin with micropores. Combining the above two concepts, we propose adding capillary-like channels to the fish skin and incorporating a water pump within the bionic fish to supply mucus. During transport within the fish skin, the concentrated solution in the channels diffuses freely outwards from the bionic fish, utilizing the body's circulatory system to keep the surface of the bionic fish continuously enveloped in mucus. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fish skin mold on the upper left surface in the method for making mucus-inspired bionic fish skin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper right surface of the fish skin mold in the method for making mucus-inspired bionic fish skin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fish skin mold on the lower left surface in the method for making mucus-inspired bionic fish skin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fish skin mold on the lower right surface in the method for making mucus-inspired bionic fish skin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 1. First extraction surface; 2. Fourth extraction surface; 3. Third extraction surface; 4. Sixth extraction surface; 5. Pipe forming groove. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0032] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0034] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0035] The main reference directions for this invention are: First, the human body's blood circulation, with the heart as the power core, supplying blood to the whole body and achieving circulation. In organs such as the kidneys, the concentration difference in the solution generates potential energy, propelling certain substances in the blood across the capillary membrane to areas outside the blood vessels, achieving substance exchange. This is further facilitated by the replenishment of concentrated mucus stored within the bionic fish, increasing the concentration of the circulating fluid and achieving circulation. Second, based on the principles of 3D printing and combining existing models, a complete process was designed to use 3D printing technology to create flexible bionic fish skin with micropores. Combining these two concepts, we propose adding capillary-like channels to the fish skin and incorporating a water pump within the bionic fish to supply mucus. During transport within the fish skin, the concentrated solution in the channels diffuses freely outwards, utilizing the body's circulatory system to keep the surface of the bionic fish continuously enveloped in mucus.

[0036] See Figure 1-4 This invention provides a biomimetic fish skin with mucus and a method for manufacturing the same. The biomimetic fish skin includes an outer contour and a mucus supply structure. The outer contour includes an upper surface fish skin and a lower surface fish skin. The edges of the upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin are fixedly connected and surround a receiving cavity. The mucus supply structure is located inside the receiving cavity. The lower surface fish skin is provided with a transport pipe. The inlet end of the transport pipe is connected to the mucus supply structure, and the outlet end is connected to the outside.

[0037] Optionally, the transport pipeline includes a main pipeline, multiple branch pipelines and multiple terminal pipelines. The multiple branch pipelines are spaced apart and all are connected to the main pipeline. Each branch pipeline is connected to multiple terminal pipelines. The diameter of the terminal pipelines is smaller than the diameter of the branch pipelines, and the terminal pipelines are connected to the outside.

[0038] Understandably, the terminal channels are micropores, which can simulate capillary pores. The mucus flows sequentially through the main channel, branch channels, and terminal channels. The terminal channels connect the mucus to the outside world, ensuring that the mucus flowing in from the main channel seeps out at an appropriate rate. The outside world is the aquatic environment outside the mechanical fish.

[0039] Optionally, the mucus supply structure includes a mucus storage tank and a water pump, with the input end of the water pump connected to the mucus storage tank and the output end connected to a transport pipeline.

[0040] Optionally, both the upper and lower surface fish skin are made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS, also known as dimethyl silicone oil, is a type of silicone rubber. It is odorless, highly transparent, and possesses excellent physical properties, including heat resistance, cold resistance, water resistance, low surface tension, thermal conductivity, and 100% light transmittance. Uncured PDMS is a viscous liquid; it gradually solidifies with increasing temperature after the addition of a curing agent. Most underwater biomimetic materials use PDMS as their primary material, mainly due to its superior physical properties.

[0041] Optionally, the upper surface of the fish skin is a smooth curved surface.

[0042] Optionally, the upper surface fish skin is divided into a left upper skin and a right upper skin, and the left upper skin and the right upper skin are asymmetrical; the lower surface fish skin is divided into a left lower skin and a right lower skin, and the left lower skin and the right lower skin are asymmetrical.

[0043] This invention also provides a method for producing a mucus-inspired bionic fish skin, the specific steps of which include:

[0044] S1: Using 3D printing technology, make the upper left fish skin mold, the upper right fish skin mold, the lower left fish skin mold, and the lower right fish skin mold; both the lower left fish skin mold and the lower right fish skin mold are provided with pipe forming grooves 5.

[0045] The upper and lower fish skins are divided into left and right parts along the midline along the length direction. The left and right parts of the upper and lower fish skins are asymmetrical. Therefore, during production, the upper and lower fish skins are divided into left and right parts, made separately, and then glued together.

[0046] The fish skin mold on the upper surface of the left part is only poured for the left part; the fish skin mold on the upper surface of the right part is only poured for the right part; the fish skin mold on the lower surface of the left part is only poured for the left part; and the fish skin mold on the lower surface of the right part is only poured for the right part.

[0047] Optionally, the pipe forming groove 5 includes a main pipe forming groove 5 and multiple branch pipe forming grooves 5, and the multiple branch pipe forming grooves 5 are all connected to the main pipe forming groove 5.

[0048] Optionally, the cross-section of the pipe forming groove 5 is trapezoidal.

[0049] Pipe forming groove 5 is used to form main pipes and branch pipes.

[0050] S2: Cast, shape, and solidify the fish skin mold on the upper left part to obtain the upper skin of the left part; cast, shape, and solidify the fish skin mold on the upper right part to obtain the upper skin of the right part; cast, shape, and solidify the fish skin mold on the lower left part to obtain the lower skin of the left part; cast, shape, and solidify the fish skin mold on the lower right part to obtain the lower skin of the right part.

[0051] like Figure 1-4 As shown, optionally, the upper left surface fish skin mold includes two first extraction surfaces 1, which are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance along the center line of the length direction, and the edges of the two first extraction surfaces 1 located to the left of the center line are filled and fixed; the lower left surface fish skin mold includes a second extraction surface and a third extraction surface 3, which have the same structure as the first extraction surface 1, and are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance along the center line of the length direction, and the edges of the second extraction surface and the third extraction surface 3 located to the left of the center line are filled and fixed, and the third extraction surface 3 is provided with a channel forming groove 5.

[0052] Similarly, the upper right surface fish skin mold includes two fourth extraction surfaces 2, which are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance along the center line of the length direction, and the edges of the two fourth extraction surfaces 2 located to the left of the center line are filled and fixed; the lower right surface fish skin mold includes a fifth extraction surface and a sixth extraction surface 4, which have the same structure as the fourth extraction surface 2, and are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance along the center line of the length direction, and the edges of the fifth extraction surface and the sixth extraction surface 4 located to the left of the center line are filled and fixed, and the sixth extraction surface 4 is provided with a channel forming groove 5.

[0053] The upper surface of the fish skin is a smooth curved surface, clamped by two first extraction surfaces 1. The gap in the middle of the first extraction surfaces 1 is 3mm. Then, the other three surfaces on one side of the middle position are filled. The width of each first extraction surface 1 is 2mm. Then, uncured silicone rubber is poured between the two first extraction surfaces 1 to shape and cure. The above is the method for making the left part of the upper surface fish skin. The production of the lower surface fish skin is different from that of the upper surface fish skin, except that a transport channel is made. The transport channel is "carved" in the third extraction surface 3 to form a groove 5. The groove is trapezoidal and 3mm deep. The lower surface fish skin is clamped by the second extraction surface and the third extraction surface 3, which are the same as the first extraction surface 1. The gap between the second extraction surface and the third extraction surface 3 is 5mm. Similarly, the other three surfaces on the left side of the middle position are filled. Then, uncured silicone rubber is poured into the mold to shape and make the left part of the lower surface fish skin.

[0054] S3: Glue the upper skin of the left and right portions together to obtain the upper surface fish skin; glue the lower skin of the left and right portions together to obtain the lower surface fish skin. Use strong adhesive for bonding; the adhesive must be waterproof, and it is essential to ensure a good seal for the fish skin.

[0055] S4: Drill a hole in the end of the fish skin on the lower surface.

[0056] The design of the fish skin incorporates the seepage space and method of mucus, inspired by the human circulatory system. It features a main channel as the primary pathway, supplemented by smaller, radiating channels on the periphery, forming an overall mucus permeation model. Two holes on either side of the fish's head connect the internal channels to the mucus transport channels within the entire fish skin, allowing for separate transport and permeation on both sides. The main channel ultimately returns to the biomimetic fish's tail. In addition to the main circulation path, the branch channels have open ends. These branch channels contain smaller, porous end pipes, allowing direct contact with the external water environment and ensuring that the mucus flowing in from the main channel seeps out at an appropriate rate.

[0057] S5: Adhere the upper and lower surface fish skins together to obtain the outer contour of the mucus biomimetic fish skin.

[0058] Obviously, the above-disclosed embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of the invention. The embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments herein.

Claims

1. A method for making a mucus-biomimetic fish skin, characterized in that: The application relates to a mucus bionic fish skin, which comprises an outer contour and a mucus supply structure, the outer contour comprises an upper surface fish skin and a lower surface fish skin, the upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin are fixedly connected at edges of the upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin and surround a containing cavity, the mucus supply structure is located in the containing cavity, the lower surface fish skin is provided with a transportation pipeline, an inlet end of the transportation pipeline is connected with the mucus supply structure, and an outlet end is communicated with the outside. The specific steps of the mucus bionic fish skin manufacturing method comprise the following steps: 3D printing technology is used to manufacture a left part upper surface fish skin mold, a right part upper surface fish skin mold, a left part lower surface fish skin mold and a right part lower surface fish skin mold; the left part lower surface fish skin mold and the right part lower surface fish skin mold are both provided with a pipeline forming groove (5). The left part upper surface fish skin mold is poured, shaped and solidified to obtain a left part upper surface skin; the right part upper surface fish skin mold is poured, shaped and solidified to obtain a right part upper surface skin; the left part lower surface fish skin mold is poured, shaped and solidified to obtain a left part lower surface skin; and the right part lower surface fish skin mold is poured, shaped and solidified to obtain a right part lower surface skin. The left part upper surface skin and the right part upper surface skin are bonded to obtain the upper surface fish skin; and the left part lower surface skin and the right part lower surface skin are bonded to obtain the lower surface fish skin. The end pipeline is punched through on the lower surface fish skin. The upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin are bonded to obtain the outer contour of the mucus bionic fish skin.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The mucus supply structure comprises a mucus storage tank and a water pump, an input end of the water pump is communicated with the mucus storage tank, and an output end is communicated with the transportation pipeline.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The transportation pipeline comprises a main pipeline, a plurality of branch pipelines and a plurality of end pipelines, the plurality of branch pipelines are arranged at intervals and are all communicated with the main pipeline, each branch pipeline is communicated with the plurality of end pipelines, the diameter of the end pipeline is smaller than that of the branch pipeline, and the end pipeline is communicated with the outside.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The upper surface fish skin and the lower surface fish skin are both made of polydimethylsiloxane material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The upper surface fish skin is a smooth curved surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The upper surface fish skin is divided into a left part upper surface skin and a right part upper surface skin, and the left part upper surface skin and the right part upper surface skin are asymmetric; and the lower surface fish skin is divided into a left part lower surface skin and a right part lower surface skin, and the left part lower surface skin and the right part lower surface skin are asymmetric.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The left part upper surface fish skin mold comprises two first extraction surfaces (1), the two first extraction surfaces (1) are spaced apart by a first set distance at the middle lines in the length direction, and the edges on the left side of the middle lines of the two first extraction surfaces (1) are fixedly filled with sealants; the left part lower surface fish skin mold comprises a second extraction surface and a third extraction surface (3), the second extraction surface is the same in structure as the first extraction surface (1), the second extraction surface and the third extraction surface (3) are spaced apart by a second set distance at the middle lines in the length direction, and the edges on the left side of the middle lines are fixedly filled with sealants, and the third extraction surface (3) is provided with a pipeline forming groove (5).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The pipeline forming groove (5) comprises a main pipeline forming groove (5) and a plurality of branch pipeline forming grooves (5), and the plurality of branch pipeline forming grooves (5) are all communicated with the main pipeline forming groove (5).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mucus-biomimetic fish skin is prepared by the steps of: The cross section of the pipeline forming groove (5) is trapezoidal.

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