| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M22970/01 |
| Title: |
SMART FLAPPING WINGS FOR AUTONOMOUS MICRO AIR VEHICLES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Friend, Professor C |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials & Medical Sciences |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 1999 |
Ends: |
31 July 2002 |
Value (£): |
235,410
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Design Engineering |
Energy Efficiency |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Manufacturing |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This proposal describes a three-year project to investigate smart, flapping, insect-like wings with the dimensions of the order of six inches. The aim is to deliver a fully controlled technology demonstrator applicable to an autonomous micro air vehicle (MAV). Autonomous MAVs (dimensions of the order of six inches, or hand-held) have a wide range of potential uses, but are unlikely to be viable using conventional fixed or rotary wings; flapping flight is a feasible alternative. The flapping flight of insects is characterised by high energy efficiency and remarkable agility, which are achieved by oscillation and rotating of the wings, accompanied by their fine motions involving torsion, camber change and transverse bending. Flight control is achieved by active control of the three-dimensional shape of the wings which is enabled by the presence of sensors on the wings. The technology demonstrator will be a fully controlled system integrating mechatronic articulation (at the wing base) for large-amplitude motions with smart wing structures (constraining embedded solid-state sensors/actuators) for fine aeroelastic motions. The project is supported by DERA (Structural Materials Centre), contributing their novel actuator materials, related knowledge, fabricating facilities and financial support, and British Aerospace (Sowerby Research Centre), offering their expertise in smart technologies.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |