Revolutionizing aviation with airplane plumage is on the horizon. Unlike traditional flaps and spoilers, these bioinspired flaps deploy passively in high angle airflow, a breakthrough concept pioneered by engineer Aimy Wissa of Princeton University. These innovative flaps are strategically placed all over the wings to optimize performance.
Through meticulous wind tunnel experiments, Wissa and her team discovered that multiple rows of flaps have a dual impact on airflow around airfoils. Flaps near the front enhance lift and reduce drag by maintaining close airflow to the wing, while rear flaps prevent high-pressure air from interfering with lift production near the trailing edge. The addition of multiple rows of flaps significantly boosts lift by up to 45% and reduces drag by 31%, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology.
2024-11-05 11:30:00
Original post available at www.sciencenews.org
