Corrugated Wings
Faculty Mentor Name
Lance W. Traub
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Growing interest in micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) has intensified the need for aerodynamic solutions optimized for ultralow Reynolds number flight regimes, where viscous effects dominate and conventional smooth airfoils often underperform. Inspired by the natural corrugation found in dragonfly wings, this research investigates the aerodynamic performance of corrugated wing geometries for MAV applications. The study integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel experimentation, and rapid prototyping manufacturing techniques to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of corrugated airfoils in low-speed flight.
Wing models were developed and analyzed using CFD to characterize flow separation behavior, vortex formation, lift-to-drag ratios, and stall characteristics at Reynolds numbers representative of MAV operation. Results from the numerical simulations informed the design of physical airfoils produced using rapid prototyping methods, enabling efficient iteration of corrugation amplitude, number, location, and aft camber. Wind tunnel testing was conducted to experimentally validate aerodynamic performance and compare corrugated configurations against conventional smooth airfoils under identical ultralow Reynolds number conditions.
The combined computational and experimental results demonstrate that corrugated wings can enhance lift generation and delay stall through controlled vortex stabilization. Rapid prototype manufacturing proved effective for producing repeatable, high-fidelity test specimens suitable for aerodynamic evaluation. This research provides a scalable framework for integrating bio-inspired corrugated wing structures into next-generation MAV platforms operating in low Reynolds number environments.
Corrugated Wings
Growing interest in micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) has intensified the need for aerodynamic solutions optimized for ultralow Reynolds number flight regimes, where viscous effects dominate and conventional smooth airfoils often underperform. Inspired by the natural corrugation found in dragonfly wings, this research investigates the aerodynamic performance of corrugated wing geometries for MAV applications. The study integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel experimentation, and rapid prototyping manufacturing techniques to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of corrugated airfoils in low-speed flight.
Wing models were developed and analyzed using CFD to characterize flow separation behavior, vortex formation, lift-to-drag ratios, and stall characteristics at Reynolds numbers representative of MAV operation. Results from the numerical simulations informed the design of physical airfoils produced using rapid prototyping methods, enabling efficient iteration of corrugation amplitude, number, location, and aft camber. Wind tunnel testing was conducted to experimentally validate aerodynamic performance and compare corrugated configurations against conventional smooth airfoils under identical ultralow Reynolds number conditions.
The combined computational and experimental results demonstrate that corrugated wings can enhance lift generation and delay stall through controlled vortex stabilization. Rapid prototype manufacturing proved effective for producing repeatable, high-fidelity test specimens suitable for aerodynamic evaluation. This research provides a scalable framework for integrating bio-inspired corrugated wing structures into next-generation MAV platforms operating in low Reynolds number environments.