Introduction to Bioinspired Design

Researchers at Princeton University have been studying the flight of birds to develop a new design for airplane wings. The team, led by aerospace engineer Aimy Wissa, has created a prototype wing with feather-like flaps that can improve stability, reduce turbulence, and increase fuel efficiency.

The inspiration for this design came from the study of bird flight, particularly the way that birds use their covert feathers to control turbulence and maintain stability. The researchers used a combination of wind tunnel tests and flight experiments to develop and refine their design.

How the Flaps Work

The feather-like flaps are made of a lightweight, flexible plastic film and are attached to the top of the wing using tape. The flaps are designed to move freely in response to airflow, much like the covert feathers on a bird's wing. When the wing encounters turbulence or is at a high angle of attack, the flaps lift automatically, subtly adjusting the airflow to enhance stability and lift.

The researchers found that the addition of the flaps enhanced lift by up to 45 percent, reduced drag by nearly 31 percent, and helped prevent the sudden loss of lift that can cause stalling. These findings could be hugely important for the future of the aviation industry, particularly as climate change makes weather conditions more unpredictable and severe.

Potential Applications

The bioinspired design could potentially be used in small aircraft and urban air mobility vehicles, which are expected to play a major role in the future of aviation. These vehicles will need to be able to take off and land in tight spaces and will require advanced stability and control systems to operate safely and efficiently.

The researchers believe that their design could be particularly useful for these types of vehicles, as it could provide a simple and effective way to improve stability and reduce turbulence. However, the path to commercial adoption will be challenging, and the researchers acknowledge that there are still many logistical and technical hurdles to overcome.