Aerodynamic and aeroelastic design and analysis of a bat-inspired morphing wing for micro air vehicles (MAVs)

About the Project

The actively deforming bat wing has shown superior flight performance because of the high aerodynamic efficiency at low Reynolds number. Compared with a fixed-wing flight vehicle, the flapping flight of bats involve active morphing and adaptive flexible wing configuration, which may offer some unique benefits regarding efficiency, noise and manoeuvrability. Therefore, the understanding of flapping bat wing mechanisms can be useful to incorporate in the designs of micro air vehicles (MAVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

There are two kinds of kinematic variables to describe the motion of bat wing. One is related to the flapping motion (i.e., frequency, amplitude, and stroke plane), and the other is related to the morphing motion (i.e., twisting, cambering, bending, and wing area-changing). A PhD research project is thus proposed focusing on the complex bat wing deformation capacity and the associated aerodynamic performance. More specifically, the morphing of bat wing - flapping, twisting, cambering, bending and area changing are considered in the design. Advanced scale-resolving turbulence modelling techniques will be employed to analyse the aerodynamic performance of such morphing bat wing. Structural dynamic model considering the interdependence between fluid mechanics and structural mechanics, termly Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model, will then be developed for further aeroelastic investigation. The research outcome will particularly contribute to the development of smart structures technology, such as bionic aircraft and morphing wing UAVs.

This project requires a sound understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, computational technologies (CFD and FEA), as well as good modelling skills. It would particularly suit a graduate in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent areas. Detailed background knowledge on morphing wing is not required, but enthusiasm, flexibility and motivation to success are essential.

Funding Notes

there is no funding for this project