News

New Study on Odour Boundaries Published in Physica D

Dr Lan’s latest study, Flow-induced variations in odour boundary formation, explores how odours spread through moving air, an essential process in animal navigation and robotic sensing. Through flow simulations, the research introduces the concept of an ‘odour boundary’ and analyses how it responds to changes in flow speed and diffusion conditions. The team found that while diffusion has limited effect, higher airflow speeds narrow and stabilise the odour boundary. These findings deepen our understanding of biological tracking behaviours and may aid the design of robots capable of locating odour sources in complex environments.

For more information please refer to https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2025.134827.

Nature-Inspired Designs Win Awards in Bionic Design Competition

Under the guidance of Dr Lan, two student teams from the lab took part in the 2025 Bionic Design Competition (仿生設計競賽), an event showcasing nature-inspired innovation for sustainability. Among 78 entries, both teams received awards for their nature-inspired designs: one received a Merit Award for their bio-inspired stingray underwater vehicle, while the other was awarded Honourable Mention for a butterfly-inspired micro air vehicle. The competition, supported by Biomimicry Taiwan, promotes sustainable innovation rooted in natural principles, addressing global challenges from disaster resilience to environmental health.

Innovative Approach to Flapping Flight Analysis Published in Physica D

Dr Lan and Dr Lai’s latest study, ‘Accelerating Flapping Flight Analysis: Reducing CFD Dependency with a Hybrid Decision Tree Approach for Swift Velocity Predictions’, has been published in Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena. The research introduces a novel framework combining signal decomposition and decision tree algorithms, reducing computational time by up to 75% while maintaining high accuracy. Validated with damselfly data, this approach accelerates flapping flight analysis and supports the efficient design of micro air vehicles (MAVs), offering a scalable solution for future aerodynamic research.

For more information please refer to https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2025.134618.

Innovative Insights Featured on AIP Publishing Showcase

Dr Lan and his research team have been recognised by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), with their latest study selected as a feature article on Kudos’ Showcase platform. The research, titled ‘Balancing Thrust and Energy Efficiency: Optimised Asymmetric Flapping Inspired by Batoid Locomotion’, explores how the unique swimming motion of stingrays can inspire more efficient designs for underwater vehicles.

By using advanced computer simulations, the team discovered that shorter, quicker downstrokes—similar to how stingrays naturally move—enhance thrust while reducing energy consumption. These findings could lead to the development of underwater vehicles and robots that move more efficiently, with potential applications in marine exploration and environmental monitoring.

Currently, Dr Lan and his team have three articles featured on the AIP Publishing Showcase homepage, highlighting their contributions to nature-inspired scientific research.

Dr Lan Awarded Outstanding Reviewer Award

Dr Lan has been honoured with the Outstanding Reviewer Award 2024, a prestigious accolade recognising his significant contributions to academic research. Congratulations!

Published in Physics of Fluids: Biomimetic Propulsion Study

Dr Lan, Dr Lai and their team have published a study in Physics of Fluids exploring how stingray-like asymmetric flapping enhances underwater propulsion. Using a NACA 0012 hydrofoil at a Reynolds number of 10,000 and NSGA-II optimisation, they identified six optimal motion patterns with brief downstrokes. Their findings reveal how harmonic tuning influences vortex dynamics, closely resembling natural swimming. This research provides key insights for designing efficient biomimetic aquatic robots, advancing underwater propulsion technology.

For more information please refer to https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0253805.

Six Talented Individuals Join The Lab

Six bachelor’s students have joined the lab. Welcome aboard!

Students Shine at the 2024 Innovation Arena

Under the guidance of Dr Lan, a team of four students participated in the 2024 Innovation Arena (興創競技場) and secured the prestigious Infinite Potential Award in the Creative Concept category. The competition, organised by the University’s Centre for Industry-Academia Collaboration, aims to inspire students and staff to transform their academic expertise and innovative ideas into entrepreneurial solutions tailored to industry needs. By bridging innovation and practical application, the initiative fosters global perspectives and highlights the tangible value of academic research in the real world.

Hsing-Yun Huang and Thanh Kim Hua Earn Honours at CSME

Dr Lan’s students, Hsing-Yun Huang and Thanh Kim Hua, have achieved remarkable success at the CSME’s Student Paper Competition. Both were awarded Honourable Mentions for their outstanding research contributions, showcasing innovative approaches and technical excellence. Their achievements highlight the dedication and talent nurtured within Dr Lan’s mentorship, bringing pride to their academic community. Congratulations to both students!

Breakthrough in Manta-like Swimming Efficiency

A big congratulations to Dr Lai’s team and Dr Lan on the successful publication of their groundbreaking research in Physics of Fluids! Their study explores how manta-like swimming dynamics, specifically asymmetric motion parameters, can greatly enhance the efficiency of underwater unmanned vehicles. By investigating the effects of varying angles of attack and stroke duration, the research provides key insights into maximising thrust and propulsion efficiency. This work not only advances our understanding of aquatic biomechanics but also paves the way for innovative designs in biomimetic underwater technologies. Well done to the team on this impressive achievement!

For more information please refer to https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0229833.