Collaborative Research: Integrating Biological and Engineering Approaches to Reveal the Principles of Flight Control in Hummingbirds

本研究的目的是探讨蜂鸟飞行的动力学与控制。 将使用两种不同大小的蜂鸟和两种昆虫（天蛾和黄蜂），并将进行基于动物实验，数学建模，理论分析和工程实验的综合方法。 本研究的目的是通过一系列有针对性的实验，为动物飞行的操纵性、稳定性和控制性提供一般性的理论依据。 这项研究将直接有助于开发新的、改进的飞行力学模型，并将大大促进我们对动物运动的主要形式之一的理解。最终，这一科学基础不仅将推进动物飞行理论，而且还将为具有上级稳定性和可操作性的仿生工程系统提供设计指南。拟议的研究将通过生物学和工程学的跨学科研究加强研究和教育的基础设施。 研究成果将广泛传播到生物学，物理学和工程研究社区。 在这项工作中开发的理论可能会被转化为其他形式的运动。 高性能扑翼微型飞行器的进步可用于民用和国防应用，如倒塌建筑物的搜索和救援，或拥挤机场的室内监视。基于他们历史上成功的外展活动，包括各种电视，电影，广播，网络和报纸报道，PI将继续积极开展外展工作，目标是通过各种公共活动和活动吸引公众，大学预科学生，K-12学生参与科学研究，并产生科学兴奋和意识。

The objective of this research is to investigate the dynamics and control of hummingbird flight. Two species of hummingbirds of different sizes and two species of insect (hawkmoth and wasps) will be used, and an integrative approach based on animal experiments, mathematical modeling, theoretical analysis, and engineering experiments will be performed. The goal of this work is to provide a general theory for animal flight maneuverability, stability and control through a series of targeted experiments. This research will directly contribute to the development of new, improved models of flight mechanics, and it will substantially advance our understanding of one of the major forms of animal locomotion. Ultimately this scientific basis will not only advance the theory of animal flight but also provide design guidelines for bio-inspired engineering systems with superior stability and maneuverability. The proposed research will enhance the infrastructure for research and education through interdisciplinary research in biology and engineering. The research results will be disseminated broadly to the biology, physics, and engineering research communities. The theories developed in this work can potentially be translated into other forms of locomotion. Advances in high performance flapping wing micro aerial vehicles can be used in civilian and defense applications such as search and rescue in collapsed buildings, or indoor surveillance such as in crowded airports. Building upon their historically-successful outreach activities including various television, film, radio, web-based and newspaper reports, the PIs will continue on their active outreach effort with the goal of engaging general public, pre-college students, K-12 students in scientific research and generating scientific excitement and awareness through various public activities and events.Abstract