Finsens

Finsens, short for fin sensors, is a class of bio-inspired, flexible sensors designed to monitor hydrodynamic forces, kinematics, and environmental conditions in aquatic settings. The term describes devices that mimic the sensing role of fish fins and are integrated into soft robots and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Most Finsens couple compliant membranes with sensing elements such as piezoresistive, capacitive, or optical fibers. When fins flex in water, strain, pressure, or curvature changes are transduced into electrical or optical signals. Arrays can cover dorsal, pectoral, and caudal regions to capture multi-axis flow information.

Development began in the early 2010s as part of soft robotics and biomimetic sensing. Prototypes progressed from rigid-substrate sensors to stretchable electronics embedded in elastomeric skins, enabling underwater deployment. Recent work emphasizes waterproofing, low power operation, and integration with control systems.

Applications include navigation and control of autonomous underwater vehicles, environmental monitoring, and robotic fish for research. In industry, Finsens contribute to non-invasive flow sensing in pipelines and underwater inspection tasks.

Advantages include conformability, reduced drag, and the potential for distributed sensing. Challenges involve calibration under varying temperatures and pressures, long-term durability in saline environments, and manufacturing scalability.

See also: soft robotics, bio-inspired sensing, underwater autonomous vehicle.