Why Biomimetic Propulsion is the Future of Ocean Exploration: A Comparison with Traditional Propeller Systems

The vast and largely unexplored depths of the ocean hold the key to numerous scientific discoveries, commercial opportunities, and security solutions. As the demand for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable underwater vehicles grows, one crucial area of innovation is the propulsion system. While traditional propeller-driven systems have been the standard for decades, biomimetic propulsion—modeled on the movement of marine animals—presents a significant leap forward in both technology and application. In this article, we’ll explore why biomimetic propulsion is superior to conventional propeller systems and how it benefits scientific research, commercial industries, and security efforts at sea.

What Is Biomimetic Propulsion?

Biomimetic propulsion refers to systems designed to replicate the efficient, silent movements of sea creatures, like the Oceanic Giant Manta Ray. These systems typically involve flexible wings or fins that mimic the way these animals move through the water. Unlike rigid propellers that churn water to generate thrust, biomimetic designs are streamlined and operate in harmony with the fluid dynamics of the ocean.

The Limitations of Traditional Propeller Systems

Traditional propeller systems, while effective in generating thrust, come with several drawbacks that limit their performance, especially in delicate and demanding underwater environments:

• High Acoustic Signature: Propellers create noise as they rotate, which can be disruptive to marine life and detectable by underwater monitoring systems. This acoustic signature is a significant problem for both scientific research and military applications where stealth is critical.

• Efficiency Losses: The rotating motion of a propeller is not always the most energy-efficient way to move through water. Particularly at slower speeds or in complex underwater terrain, propellers can waste energy, making them less effective for long-duration missions.

• Environmental Impact: The turbulent water movement caused by propellers can disturb marine ecosystems, damage fragile habitats like coral reefs, and interfere with the behavior of sensitive marine species.

Scientific visualization of a blue whale’s movements in an area with a high level of boat traffic. The blue shape is a whale trying to feed while avoiding vessels in the Gulf of Ancud near Chile. (Image credit: Luis Bedriñana-Romano)

The Advantages of Biomimetic Propulsion

Biomimetic propulsion systems address many of these challenges, offering clear advantages over traditional propellers. Here’s how they make a difference in scientific, commercial, and security applications:

1. Improved Efficiency

One of the standout benefits of biomimetic propulsion is its energy efficiency. By mimicking the smooth, gliding movements of marine animals, these systems reduce drag and operate in sync with the natural flow of water. This results in lower energy consumption, allowing vehicles to remain in operation for longer periods without needing frequent recharging or refueling. For scientific expeditions that require long-term data collection, this is a game-changer, enabling extended missions without compromising performance.

2. Minimal Acoustic Signature

A key advantage of biomimetic propulsion systems is their near-silent operation. The undulating movements of fins or wings generate far less noise compared to propellers, which is crucial for minimizing environmental disruption. In scientific research, this allows for more accurate observation of marine life without disturbing natural behaviors. For military or security applications, the low acoustic signature offers stealth capabilities, making these vehicles ideal for underwater surveillance, reconnaissance, and monitoring operations.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact

Biomimetic propulsion is far gentler on the marine environment. Its fluid, non-turbulent motion doesn’t disrupt sediments or fragile ecosystems like coral reefs. Additionally, by generating less noise pollution, biomimetic systems help protect marine life that relies on sound for communication, navigation, and predator detection. For industries engaged in deep-sea mining or energy exploration, this lower environmental footprint is increasingly important as regulations on ocean exploitation tighten.

Applications of Biomimetic Propulsion

Biomimetic propulsion offers clear benefits across a range of oceanic operations. Here’s how it enhances efforts in the scientific, commercial, and security sectors:

Scientific Exploration

For marine scientists, gathering accurate data is paramount. Biomimetic AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) are ideal for monitoring marine ecosystems over extended periods, allowing for more in-depth study of complex phenomena such as coral bleaching or deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The silent operation of these vehicles means less disturbance to the subjects being observed, leading to more reliable data collection. Additionally, the enhanced efficiency and range of these systems enable exploration into previously unreachable depths, advancing our understanding of the deep sea.

Commercial Operations

Industries such as telecommunications (underwater cables), energy exploration (oil, gas, and renewable sources), and fisheries rely heavily on cost-effective and reliable subsea operations. Biomimetic propulsion allows these industries to reduce operating costs due to its higher energy efficiency, while the minimal environmental impact helps these sectors meet growing regulatory demands. By enabling longer and more precise operations, these systems can boost the profitability of deep-sea mining, resource exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Security and National Defense

Biomimetic AUVs also offer distinct advantages for national security. The quiet, efficient propulsion makes these vehicles highly suited for covert surveillance and monitoring of marine borders, critical infrastructure, or undersea communication lines. Their ability to operate for extended periods without detection can provide a critical edge in ensuring maritime safety and sovereignty. Additionally, these vehicles can be deployed for search-and-rescue missions in sensitive environments where traditional propeller-driven systems might cause more harm than help.

Conclusion: The Future Is Biomimetic

As the demand for advanced ocean technology grows across scientific, commercial, and security sectors, the limitations of traditional propeller systems are becoming increasingly clear. Biomimetic propulsion represents a leap forward, offering superior efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced stealth capabilities. Whether it’s for deep-sea research, commercial exploitation, or safeguarding national waters, biomimetic AUVs are paving the way for a new era of ocean operations.

Ready to discover how biomimetic propulsion can enhance your operations at sea? Contact The Anomalous Company today to learn more about our innovative solutions and get involved in the future of ocean exploration.

See how we have solved four key challenges that have been driving up the cost of operations at sea:

• Expensive engineering and costly materials": The Mariana Snailfish approach

• Limited autonomy, leading to higher logistical expenses and shorter mission durations: The Giant Manta Ray’s Grace (This page)

• Custom hardware and proprietary electronics that inflate the price of development: Off the shelf components, at 6000m.

• Closed-source software, which locks users into expensive licenses and specialized experts: Open source software. Community strength.