Sci Adv September 2018 PMID 30263959

Manta rays feed using ricochet separation, a novel nonclogging filtration mechanism.

Raj V Divi, James A Strother, E W Misty Paig-Tran

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

Peak: 32 in Dec 2024

across 7 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

1,911,285

potential audience

Total likes

69,544

Video views

1,682,384

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter31 posts
News18 articles
Bluesky15 posts
Facebook9 posts
Blogs4 articles
YouTube2 videos
Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions reflect a positive reception with a focus on the novelty and potential applications of the filtration mechanism. Enthusiastic language like 'so cool' and references to videos and scientific comparisons highlight the curiosity and appreciation of the research's significance, while some posts analyze the mechanism’s innovation and possible broader impacts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions express admiration or curiosity about the novel filtration mechanism, with phrases like 'so cool' and 'fascinating physics' indicating broad support and agreement with the significance of the findings.

InterestHigh interest

Multiple posts demonstrate high interest through enthusiastic tones, mentioning learning about rays, and referencing new videos and scientific articles, reflecting curiosity and a desire to explore the topic further.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several discussions delve into specific scientific details, such as the comparison with tangential flow filtration and potential applications in water treatment, showing deep engagement and analysis.

ImpactModerate impact

The mention of potential practical uses, like microplastics filtration, suggests that some users perceive the discovery as holding meaningful environmental and technological impact, though this perception is not universal across all posts.

Abstract in brief

Manta rays have a unique filter-feeding system that differs from other known filtration methods, using specialized winglike structures to catch particles.
The study combined physical models and computational simulations to understand how manta rays filter food, revealing a new separation process called ricochet separation.
This mechanism works by particles hitting the wings and bouncing away from the pores, allowing manta rays to filter efficiently without clogging and at high flow rates.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Manta Rays' Ricochet Separation: Efficient Non-Clogging Filtration Mechanism

Manta rays have a unique filter-feeding system that differs from other known filtration methods, using specialized winglike structures to catch particles. This study combines physical models and simulations to reveal…

Ze Frank · Dec 27, 2024 1,682,097 views

Ricochet Filtration: How Manta Rays Filter Food Efficiently

Manta rays utilize a unique ricochet separation mechanism to filter food efficiently without clogging. This study combines physical models and simulations to reveal this advanced filtration process.

Sparos · Apr 20, 2024 287 views

acdc25.bsky.social

@acdc25.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54

Jul 10, 2025 View post →

Jacuzzi Frog - In the Soup!

@Typ0negative · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/OJkrzot5UT via @YouTube

Apr 18, 2025 · 2,807 followers View post →

Ravick Bitencourt

@Ravick_BlueLion · X

https://t.co/wPsOjHZWGE

Feb 5, 2025 · 166 followers View post →

Save Our Seas

@saveourseas · X

Check out ‘True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea’! by @zefrank. Why are they even flat? How do they eat? How do electric rays zap their prey? Collaborating with Ze Frank, this project puts the spotlight on rays - the flat 'cousins' of sharks. https://t.co/koiObZ4Kvk

Jan 14, 2025 · 2 likes · 150,152 followers View post →

Shinzo

@Shinzo762 · X

RT @MeltyBro12k:

Jan 9, 2025 · 1 share · 7 followers View post →

MikeyInHouston

@mikeyinhouston · X

RT @Naddleslee: True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/S0u9p1YLuH #ZeFrank #Funny #LearnSomething

Jan 6, 2025 · 1 share · 2,109 followers View post →

Ms.Lee. Cat Lady, The

@Naddleslee · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/S0u9p1YLuH #ZeFrank #Funny #LearnSomething

Jan 6, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,386 followers View post →

drac is ia

@not_dracci · X

https://t.co/WlISOqyARC

Jan 4, 2025 · 510 followers View post →

Ibanut56

@ibanut56.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 31, 2024 View post →

Clo Willaerts

@clowillaerts.bsky.social · Bluesky

True Facts by Zefrank: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 31, 2024 · 2 likes View post →

Clo Willaerts

@bnox · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/LsUBkX2ibZ

Dec 31, 2024 · 25,457 followers View post →

Rokku Haado

@LordRaa · X

Why not learn about rays? https://t.co/2c2y0vGTJb

Dec 29, 2024 · 484 followers View post →

Pupperino Spaghettio

@dragcrab.bsky.social · Bluesky

Oh god X3 Teeth! A necessary and strange thing in life X3 luckily not as weird as manta rays: >:3 sheets of teeth youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 29, 2024 · 1 share View post →

Fredrik Jutfelt

@jutfelt.bsky.social · Bluesky

New awesome video about rays!

Dec 28, 2024 · 53 likes · 12 shares View post →

Meam"s TLC

@HumboldtBuffalo · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/pqn4cH9ciI via @YouTube

Dec 28, 2024 · 193 followers View post →

Luminty Azenia

@AzeniaAii · X

I love sea pancakes https://t.co/dyatW31M5t

Dec 28, 2024 · 5 likes · 4,166 followers View post →

Julie Farrell

@Julesofthwood · X

https://t.co/Ell0y28z07

Dec 28, 2024 · 1 like · 6,213 followers View post →

BGM Pooch

@puppybell.bsky.social · Bluesky

Of course I am a nerd who loves learning about animals in general... I ended up finding this video on my feed and uh, that was really cool to learn more about the species (⁠*⁠´⁠ω⁠｀⁠*⁠) The animal kingdom is legit so fucking dope to learn about, bro. youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 28, 2024 · 1 share View post →

Ravick Bitencourt

@Ravick_BlueLion · X

https://t.co/wPsOjI0uwc

Dec 28, 2024 · 166 followers View post →

Julie Farrell

@julesofthewood.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?... New TRUE facts

Dec 28, 2024 View post →

Left in Limbo

@Left_in_Limbo · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/qdY4nGhnkq via @YouTube

Dec 28, 2024 · 2,039 followers View post →

outside five sigma

@jwt0625 · X

Reading it because of: https://t.co/eFklLQhjGy

Dec 28, 2024 · 8 likes · 13,230 followers View post →

joeymaier

@joeymaier.bsky.social · Bluesky

The new True Facts from ZeFrank is on #rays!! youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 28, 2024 · 9 likes · 7 shares View post →

Cartesian Chaos

@TrumpNewsWV · X

https://t.co/Nv9zlUUaXa

Dec 27, 2024 · 211 followers View post →

Gulag Gulagovich Gulagov

@glevonian · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/sksOyInsXw

Dec 27, 2024 · 1 like · 4,599 followers View post →

Mark

@Mark92516744 · X

For a much needed change of topic.... Your Welcome in advance! True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/b3IVKZVMmb

Dec 27, 2024 · 1 like · 1,320 followers View post →

Joz | tea n' soup | soup n' tea

@toomuchmommy.bsky.social · Bluesky

For anyone that loves science and intentional stupidity: new ZeFrank True Facts dropped. My decompression series youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 27, 2024 · 3 likes View post →

Michael Butchin

@nudnik.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 27, 2024 View post →

Spiggi

@spiggitzfan.bsky.social · Bluesky

Sea Flap Flaps; #TrueFacts Abt the Sombreros of the Sea youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 27, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →

Dawn Hernandez

@Have2doxies · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/ILHlLHZgeV via @YouTube Jerry!

Dec 27, 2024 · 3,085 followers View post →

RedPanda_Pie

@RedPanda_Pie · X

I love this channel ! True Facts, animals annnnd the best DAD JOKES

Dec 27, 2024 · 2 likes · 139 followers View post →

Xellotath⚖️

@Xellotath69 · X

@DaiyaFortuna Not the tummy hort.

Dec 27, 2024 · 2 likes · 38 followers View post →

Oroborobub710

@MeltyBro12k · X

Dec 27, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 210 followers View post →

Mark Heinen

@W5Slow · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/NZzjHffuk3 via @YouTube

Dec 27, 2024 · 162 followers View post →

Aviendha69 - ⊃∪∩⪽ -

@aviendha69.bsky.social · Bluesky

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54 gotta love these. I know I do.

Dec 27, 2024 · 1 like View post →

Spiegelmaske

@barefoot-jezebel.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?... NEW ZE FRANK!

Dec 27, 2024 View post →

Gabriel Weymouth

@gabrielweymouth.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ze Frank's new video on stingrays uses one of my old simulations while explaining their swimming. Cool! youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 27, 2024 · 4 likes · 1 share View post →

Ze Frank

@zefrank.bsky.social · Bluesky

A new True Facts about Rays - youtu.be/DbaiBY8De54?...

Dec 27, 2024 · 185 likes · 69 shares View post →

blubber_bones

@blubber_bones · X

True Facts: Rays, The Floppy Sombreros of the Sea https://t.co/76QGyExafK via @YouTube

Dec 27, 2024 · 1,096 followers View post →

Puppet Army Faction

@PAF_Kontrol · X

https://t.co/O6ylD8YgbX don't just steal his all his technology but maybe it can work as a synthetic if the Indonesians can sell 500$/kg in China. they swear it works and i don't believe the placebo effect is going to command such a price in a suppler /pusher driven market.

Sep 22, 2024 · 380 followers View post →

Water Tech Alliance

@WaterTechAll_SD · X

RT @Ahlgren_lab: Manta rays use unique means of filtration to concentrate plankton food. So cool! I appears to be similar but distinct from…

Oct 7, 2021 · 1 share · 1,105 followers View post →

Julian Jackson

@Allatsea4 · X

RT @Allatsea4: Some cool physics discovered by @FABBLab et al Fingers

Sep 28, 2021 · 2 shares · 2,618 followers View post →

Julian Jackson

@Allatsea4 · X

Some cool physics discovered by @FABBLab et al Fingers

Sep 27, 2021 · 2 shares · 2,618 followers View post →

Nathan Ahlgren

@Ahlgren_lab · X

@BBCWorld For those interested learning more about this, I think this article describes the discovery of how manta rays do this. Looks like similar but distinct to how tangential flow filtration (TFF) works (TFF has been around for a while). Richot sep https://t.co/1Vj22Rgoqa @FABBLab yes?

Sep 27, 2021 · 1 like · 913 followers View post →

Nathan Ahlgren

@Ahlgren_lab · X

Manta rays use unique means of filtration to concentrate plankton food. So cool! I appears to be similar but distinct from tangential flow filtration. This non-clogging 'tech' is being adapted to filter out microplastics in water treatment. https://t.co/1Vj22Rgoqa

Sep 27, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 913 followers View post →

Brian Richmond

@CFDisLife · X

Manta rays feed using ricochet separation, a novel nonclogging filtration mechanism - Science Advances https://t.co/wZ0HwmJFwN https://t.co/mMsIKvOHcq

Jan 8, 2019 · 206 followers View post →