Insect Flight: Computation and Biomimetic Design

Abstract

Our research has focused on understanding fundamental mechanisms of unsteady aerodynamics in flapping flight. In particular we have focused on dragonfly flight and passive flight of fluttering and tumbling plates in fluid. We use computations, theoretical analyses, and tabletop experiments to unravel the essential mechanisms in these systems. They have yielded new insights into the unsteady aerodynamics and energetics of flapping flight. These new insights offer lessons on designs of efficient small scale flapping wing flight.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 31, 2008
Accession Number
ADA482361

Entities

People

  • Z. J. Wang

Organizations

  • Cornell University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aeroelasticity
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computations
  • Differential Equations
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Insects
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Odonates
  • Physics
  • Reynolds Number
  • Simulations
  • Three Dimensional
  • Unsteady Aerodynamics

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology