Accession Number:

ADA482361

Title:

Insect Flight: Computation and Biomimetic Design

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

CORNELL UNIV ITHACA NY DEPT OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED MECHANICS

Personal Author(s):

• Wang, Z. J.

Report Date:

2008-05-31

Pagination or Media Count:

8.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *BIOMIMETICS
• *WINGED INSECTS
• *FLIGHT
• *UNSTEADY AERODYNAMICS
• FLUTTER
• COMPUTATIONS
• TUMBLING

Subject Categories:

• Fluid Mechanics
• Bionics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE