Description:

Title: Flow Physics Creates Cooperative and Selfish Spatial Patterns in Groups of Flapping Swimmers

Speaker: Eva Kanso, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California

Abstract: Schooling fish interact, in addition to socially, physically through the fluid medium. Cooperative versus selfish group dynamics are often associated with social interactions, whereas flow interactions are thought to enable individuals to derive energetic benefits when swimming in groups. Here, using a hierarchy of fluid-structure interactions models, I will show that flow interactions lead to the emergence of dynamic formations with versatile spatial patterns, ranging from cooperative "phalanx" patterns that favor egalitarian distribution of energy savings among group members to greedy "inline" patterns where few members get maximal benefit, leaving trailing swimmers with diminished opportunities for maintaining group coherence and gaining energetic benefits. These findings emphasize the role of flow physics in the emergence of cooperative and competitive group dynamics and hint at an intriguing prospect that, unless challenged to cooperate, fish dynamically reposition themselves within the school to compete over energetically favorable positions.

**Please note, this event will be held online via Zoom at the following link: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98229899219

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