# Octopus-Inspired Biomimetic Annular Sealing Grooves: Design and Performance Optimization Under Extreme Conditions

## TL;DR

This paper presents a new seal design inspired by octopus suckers that performs better under extreme aerospace conditions.

## Contribution

The study introduces a bio-inspired annular sealing design optimized for extreme environments using octopus-inspired hierarchical grooves.

## Key findings

- The optimized bionic6 configuration improved average von Mises stress by 21.71% compared to the original design.
- Groove number was the most significant factor affecting performance, followed by width, while depth had minimal influence.
- The hierarchical groove design mimicked octopus suckers, reducing leakage paths and improving surface adaptability.

## Abstract

This study introduces an innovative annular sealing groove design inspired by the hierarchical structure of octopus suckers, addressing the limitations of conventional seals under extreme conditions in aerospace engineering. Using finite element analysis, eight bionic configurations with varying groove parameters (width, depth, number) were systematically evaluated under cryogenic (−196.25 °C) and high-pressure (2 MPa) scenarios. Results show that the optimized bionic6 configuration (seven grooves, 0.4 mm width, 0.4 mm depth) achieved a 21.71% improvement in average von Mises stress compared to the original design, demonstrating enhanced leakage resistance. Parameter interaction analysis revealed groove number as the most significant factor affecting performance, followed by width, while depth showed minimal influence. The hierarchical groove architecture effectively mimicked the multi-level sealing mechanism of octopus suckers, reducing leakage paths and improving adaptability to irregular surfaces. This work bridges biological inspiration and engineering application, providing a scalable solution for extreme environments. The identified optimal parameters lay a theoretical foundation for designing high-performance seals in aerospace, cryogenic storage, and advanced manufacturing.