For centuries, biology has provided fertile ground for hypothesis, discovery, and inspiration. Time-tested methods used in nature are being used as a basis for several research studies conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center as a part of Morphing Project, which develops and assesses breakthrough vehicle technologies. These studies range from low drag airfoil design guided by marine and avian morphologies to soaring techniques inspired by birds and the study of small flexible wing vehicles. Biology often suggests unconventional yet effective approaches such as non-planar wings, dynamic soaring, exploiting aeroelastic effects, collaborative control, flapping, and fibrous active materials. These approaches and other novel technologies for future flight vehicles are being studied in NASA's Morphing Project. This paper will discuss recent findings in the aeronautics-based, biologically-inspired research in the project.
Biologically inspired technologies in NASA's morphing project
Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) ; 2003 ; San Diego,California,United States
Proc. SPIE ; 5051
2003-07-28
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Recent Results from NASA's Morphing Project
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