Articles tagged with Aerodynamics
Researchers at New York University found that paper airplanes can achieve stable gliding when the center of mass is in a specific location, unlike conventional airplanes. The study's findings enhance our understanding of flight stability and provide insights into designing small-scale flying machines.
The microsatellite will fly at a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), collecting data for commercial VLEO satellites with multiple applications. The satellite is designed to be sustainable, de-orbiting within days of its operational life.
Researchers conducted a free-flight ballistic range test to capture the attitude behaviors and aerodynamic characteristics of Tianwen-1 Mars entry capsule. The study revealed that the capsule is dynamically unstable in pitch and yaw directions, but statically stable in these directions.
A team of researchers describes a novel flight style in the smallest free-living insects, beetles of the featherwing family. They found that these insects use a bristled wing style and rowing movements to excel at flight, defying conventional wisdom about insect aerodynamics.
The study found that plate wettability had no impact on the performance of anti-icing fluids, contradicting previous research. Smooth hydrophobic coatings were shown to prevent ice accretion and reduce water adhesion.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a flying microchip that can monitor air pollution, airborne diseases, and environmental contamination. The device, about the size of a grain of sand, uses wind to generate flight, stabilizing its trajectory through aerodynamic optimization inspired by nature.
Researchers used flight efficiency estimates from museum specimens to predict bird dispersal distances, revealing that species with elongated wings can disperse farther. This study has applications in biodiversity conservation, as reduced flight capabilities may threaten bird populations.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba tested the new Flight 2020 Soccer Ball, finding it more stable than previous versions but with reduced flight range. The team attributed this tradeoff to increased surface roughness, which may improve the design of future sports equipment.
Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology used a high-speed camera and 2176 microphones to measure the precise origin of the hummingbird's sound. The team found that the wing's pressure difference generates the hum, which is essential for lift-off and hovering.
A recent study by City, University of London researchers reveals how micro-structured finlets on owl feathers enable silent flight and may hold the key to reducing aircraft noise. The team's findings show that these structures work as arrays of finlets, turning the flow direction near the aerodynamic wall and keeping it stable.
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a method to reduce aerodynamic noise using a plasma actuator. By periodically switching off the power, they achieved a higher reduction in sound pressure level compared to continuous operation.
Professor Maddalena, director of UTA's Aerodynamics Research Center, has been elected a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society for his outstanding contributions to hypersonic research. He is a leading expert in mixing and combustion in turbulent supersonic flows and their application to hypersonic airbreathing propulsion.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that mosquitoes use sound to communicate during mating, which could lead to quieter drones. The study also found that targeting the specific frequency of the sound can disrupt breeding and population growth.
A team from the University of Tsukuba studied volleyball aerodynamics using wind tunnel experiments and found that standard panels create an asymmetric surface, affecting flight patterns. This research may help develop more efficient drones.
A team of researchers is working on understanding the agility of hummingbirds to develop robotic systems that can mimic their complex escape maneuvers. By studying the aerodynamics, perception, motion planning, and control of hummingbird flight, the team hopes to create robots that can achieve high agility in fluid environments.
Researchers at Utah State University found that cyclists align in patterns within a plus-or-minus 30-degree arc corresponding to the human near-peripheral visual field. This helps them safely react to changes or disturbances from neighboring riders, leading to lower individual rider energy expenditures.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has announced the winners of its 2019 Technical Excellence in Aerospace Awards. The awards recognize pioneering work in various fields of aerospace engineering, including aerodynamics, aircraft design, fluid dynamics, and more.
Scientists have discovered a new method to control icing on next-generation aircraft using plasma actuators. The technology can transfer heat locally while mixing well with incoming airflow, preventing stress on composite materials. Researchers tested three configurations of actuators in high-speed cameras and infrared thermal imaging.
University at Buffalo aerospace engineer James Chen is working on a new study that aims to solve problems associated with exceeding the sound barrier. The research focuses on Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann's classical kinetic theory, which uses gas molecules to explain everyday phenomena.
Researchers at University of Illinois have discovered how to integrate ducted fans into wing sections to improve aircraft propulsive efficiency by ingesting low-speed air. This innovation modifies aerodynamic behavior, lift, drag, and pitching moment characteristics.
Scientists have developed an interactive machine learning tool that enables designers to test aerodynamic properties of objects in real-time, speeding up the design process. The tool uses polycubes to represent shapes and achieves impressive accuracy, making it a promising solution for engineering applications.
Researchers found that fruit fly wings are not optimized for aerodynamics but rather help detect scents, which is crucial for survival. The wings' unique motion 'scoops' streams of odor right to the insect's antennae, enabling it to find food and mates.
Researchers found that cyclists experience only 5-7% of the air resistance they face when solo riding. This discovery may lead to more successful escapes and changes the positioning strategy for professional cycling teams.
Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered that spiders can become airborne in the absence of wind when subjected to electric fields, defying current theories on aerodynamic drag. The researchers believe that electric fields trigger ballooning and provide lift, revolutionizing our understanding of spider dispersal.
New research at the University of Illinois reveals that wing geometrics can be designed to reduce or eliminate wingtip vortices almost entirely. The study simulated flow about three classic wing configurations, finding that Jones and Prandtl wing designs had weaker wakes. The findings hold implications for aircraft design, flight safet...
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Michael Amitay has received a $894,000 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study flow separation on swept wings, which could lead to improved aerodynamic performance. The project aims to clarify and classify the origins of unsteadiness and turbulence in 3-D large-scale se...
A team of engineers and biologists have developed a bioinspired structure that can increase airfoil lift and decrease drag. The new vortex generators are based on the shape of shark scales and have shown significant improvements over traditional designs.
Researchers have developed a new family of aerodynamic configurations, called Hypersonic I-shaped Aerodynamic Configurations (HIAC), which aim to improve the efficiency and lift of hypersonic aircraft. The designs feature an extra wing that captures high-pressure airflow, resulting in a significant increase in lift coefficient and drag...
Researchers studied Felix Baumgartner's free fall and found that his irregularly shaped equipment allowed him to break the sound barrier faster than a smooth, symmetrical body. The investigation revealed that surface irregularities can reduce aerodynamic drag at speeds close to the speed of sound.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh discovered that swifts' crescent-shaped wings reduce turbulence effects, enabling them to conserve energy while gliding in blustery conditions. This unique aerodynamic property may inspire the design of new aerial technology similar to drones.
Researchers studied the aerodynamics of bats performing manoeuvres during flight, revealing their high level of control over wings. The study used flow visualisation techniques to analyse bat wing movement through the air, gaining insights into how these animals catch prey on the wing.
Researchers studied owls' wings to understand how their unique features can reduce noise in machines like wind turbines and aircraft. Leading-edge serrations can control airflow, improving aerodynamic force and sound production, but a trade-off exists between performance and noise suppression.
A new Oxford University collaboration analyzed mosquito wing movements to understand flight dynamics. The study revealed two novel aerodynamic mechanisms, including trailing-edge vortices and rotational drag, that enable high-frequency flight.
Frank Lu, a UTA aerospace engineering professor, has been named an AIAA Fellow for his sustained contributions to gasdynamics and detonation-based technologies. He is the first UTA faculty member to earn this honor, which recognizes his novel experimental facility and measurement techniques.
Cody Ground, a PhD student at UTA's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, has earned a 460-hour internship with NASA Langley Research Center. He will work on hypersonic mixing and injection for scramjet applications, exploring a challenging area of aerospace engineering.
Researchers at Lehigh University developed a 3D-printed wing attachment inspired by owl feathers, reducing wind turbine noise by 10 decibels without impacting aerodynamics. The design can also reduce roughness and trailing-edge noise, with implications for improving man-made aerodynamic designs.
Researchers discovered the Brazilian free-tailed bat can reach speeds of over 160 km/h, outpacing previous records held by birds. The bat's aerodynamic body shape and longer wings enabled these exceptional speeds.
A numerical study explores the patterns made by 2-D rectangular plates falling freely within water, identifying parameters influencing their motion and force characteristics. The findings may aid in improving wing designs for unmanned aerial vehicles and controlling object motions within fluids.
Flying insects have been found to move through the air in ways that contradict traditional aerodynamic theories used for airplane flight. Researchers at New York University discovered a new law that explains how insects generate thrust and manage drag, allowing them to double their flight speed with less effort.
Research at Eindhoven University of Technology found that motorcycles can reduce air resistance for cyclists by up to 14% when riding behind them. This could result in significant time gains in time trials, with some estimates suggesting an advantage of several seconds to a minute.
Researchers have developed innovative membrane wings that mimic bat flight, enabling Micro Air Vehicles to fly over long distances with improved aerodynamics. The unique design changes shape in response to forces, eliminating mechanical parts for easier maintenance.
Scientists and teachers developed a simple spreadsheet-based method to teach aerodynamic drag to 14-15 year olds. Students measured speed and frontal area while biking, then calculated the drag coefficient using an Excel spreadsheet. The approach engaged students and showed that computers can simplify complex physics problems.
Researchers discovered that bats' weighty wings enable a unique landing technique by utilizing inertial forces. By reorienting their bodies through wing mass and inertia, bats can land feet-first and quickly adjust for forward flight.
Researchers from Brown University found that bats' extra wing mass generates inertial forces to reorient themselves when landing, unlike other flying animals. The discovery may be useful in the development of human-made flying machines.
A new study of a 125-million-year-old bird fossil from central Spain reveals intricate wing structures that match those of modern birds, supporting the idea that early birds could fly efficiently. The discovery provides key insights into the evolution of avian flight and sheds light on the capabilities of ancient birds.
The OmniAD technique uses video recording data to reconstruct the 3D motion of an object and infer aerodynamic forces. This allows for realistic simulation of light, 3-D objects in videogames and animations.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology found that following a team car reduces wind resistance and saves crucial seconds. The effect can add up to tens of seconds, making it a game-changer for Tour de France riders in time trials.
A new simulation demonstrates that hummingbirds generate lift and thrust using unsteady airflow mechanisms, creating invisible vortices of air. This unique approach sets them apart from larger birds and is more closely aligned with insect flight.
Researchers from Monash University studied how riders' drag is affected by the relative position of multiple cyclists in a breakaway group. They found that drafting can significantly reduce drag, with up to 49% drop for trailing riders and 5% for lead riders.
MIT researchers have developed smart morphable surfaces that can change their surface texture to reduce drag and improve efficiency. By mimicking the effect of golf ball dimples, these surfaces can cut air resistance in half at lower speeds, with a reduction in drag very similar to that of golf balls.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that tiny muscles called plagiopatagiales embedded in a bat's wing membrane can adjust stiffness and curvature during flight, fine-tuning aerodynamic performance. The muscles tense on the downstroke and relax on the upstroke, working in synchrony to stiffen the wing.
Researchers propose a new aerothermoelastic analysis method for hypersonic flight vehicles, combining two-way coupling and unified hypersonic lifting surface theory. The method considers thermal conduction and structural elastic deformation to improve analytical precision and calculate flutter speed.
Scientists investigate how flying snakes glide through the air, discovering lift enhancement mechanism to boost flight. The research uses computational fluid dynamics to model a snake's cross-section, providing insights into air pressure and rotation.
Researchers studied peregrine falcons' diving flight using high-speed cameras and wind tunnel models. They found that feathers may pop-up to prevent local flow separation, enabling the birds to reach high speeds while maintaining maneuverability.
Researchers used a 3D printer to recreate the snake's UFO-like cross-section and found that it generates sufficient lift at most angles. However, they also discovered a massive spike in lift when tilting the model at 35 degrees and an unexpected vortex sucking the rod down.
Researchers have discovered how owls achieve acoustic stealth through specialized plumage, including stiff feathers along the wing's leading edge and soft downy material. This technology could inspire novel sound-absorbing liners and reduce noise from aircraft and wind turbines.
Researchers develop penguin-inspired propulsion system using a novel spherical joint mechanism, enabling three degrees of freedom and unlimited rotational range. The system aims to shed light on the swimming mysteries of penguins, which can accelerate from 0 to 7 m/s in under a second.
A study on feathered dinosaurs, including Microraptor, has provided new insight into the evolution of bird flight. The researchers found that high lift coefficient and aerodynamic efficiency are not the only factors determining gliding efficiency.
Researchers used detached-eddy simulations to study new vortical flows over a 76/40 double delta wing, finding a new type of cross-flow vortex that differs from other vortices. The vortex is caused by cross-flow instability and can cause local pressure distribution deviations.
A mathematical model of a butterfly's flight revealed that the insect uses swirling vortices to provide lift, but also experiences turbulent airflow. The study found that the pitching angle of the thorax is crucial for controlled periodic flight, allowing butterflies to sense and adjust their motion to maintain stability.