Meeting Abstract
The star-nosed mole can sniff underwater by rapidly blowing and inhaling bubbles. How these moles manipulate bubbles without losing them is poorly understood. In this experimental study, we investigate the first phase of this underwater sniff, blowing the bubble. We conduct bubble formation experiments with a downward nozzle, inspired by the star-nosed mole. As the flow rate increases, the lifetime of the bubble before pinch-off decreases according to the scaling law T~Q-2/3. The retarded decrease in duration is explained by the significant surface deformation and added mass that the bubble experiences as it expands through the gaps of the star. Understanding the fluid dynamics of underwater sniffing provides insight into the physiological requirements necessary to perform underwater olfaction.
