Arvind Santhanakrishnan
Papers
9
Total Citations
137
H-Index
6
About
Arvind Santhanakrishnan is a fluid mechanics researcher whose work sits at the compelling intersection of biological locomotion and hydrodynamics, with a particular focus on two captivating problems: how tiny insects fly and how small crustaceans swim. His research has made significant contributions to understanding **metachronal paddling** — the rhythmic, wave-like limb coordination used by krill and other aquatic invertebrates — revealing how appendage spacing, phase lag, and tip vortex interactions collectively optimize swimming performance across an extraordinary range of fluid regimes. His 2019 study on metachronal hydrodynamics has garnered 43 citations, establishing foundational principles that subsequent work has continued to build upon. Equally notable is Santhanakrishnan's research into the aerodynamics of miniature insects such as thrips, where he has illuminated how bristled wings and the "clap and fling" mechanism help these creatures overcome intense viscous forces at extremely low Reynolds numbers. His 2018 paper on leaky flow through bristled wings has accumulated 35 citations. Across his body of work, Santhanakrishnan consistently combines physical modeling with computational analysis to uncover elegant biological solutions to challenging fluid dynamic problems, making his research essential reading for students of bio-inspired engineering and comparative biomechanics.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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