Aerodynamic Analysis of Bio-Inspired Car Vortex Generator Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate and optimize the aerodynamic performance of three biomimetic roof vortex generator designs for automotive applications. The designs were inspired by the curvature of a shark's dorsal fin, the streamlined shape of a stingray's body, and the microstructural grooves of shark skin (with an initial 40 mm groove depth). Comparative analysis revealed that the shark skin-inspired vortex generator exhibited superior drag reduction characteristics compared to the more conventional biomimetic designs. The optimal configuration was determined through systematic variation of groove depth (35-55 mm). Results demonstrated that a 50 mm groove depth provided the most effective aerodynamic performance. This improvement translates to measurable fuel efficiency gains in vehicle operation. The study highlights the potential of bioinspired engineering solutions in automotive aerodynamics, particularly the effectiveness of shark skin microstructure replication.