Dipole source localisation using bio-mimetic flow-sensor arrays

Flow sensor arrays can be used to extract spatio-temporal flow signatures rather than average or local flow quantities. We look at the equivalent of a fish lateral-line sensor array in air and assess the ability of our artificial hairs flow-sensor arrays to detect flow velocity distributions generated by a vibrating sphere. The measured flow patterns along a virtual lateral-line, carried out over a bandwidth of 0.3 Hz, are found to be in excellent agreement with theory and are used successfully to demonstrate source-distance determination.