UNS: Collaborative Research: Leading Edge Vortex Evolution on Compliant Biologically-Inspired Wings

1511507（Willis）和1510962（Jones）这是一个合作提案，将利用实验和计算来研究柔性机翼周围产生的流场。虽然已经做了大量的研究来了解升力是如何在固体机翼周围产生的，但重要的是要了解为什么以及如何使用柔软，灵活的机翼来产生升力。通过这项工作产生的基础知识可以影响生物科学以及自主无人机行业（商业和军事）。许多先前的研究工作已经在刚性机翼上完成，表明机翼运动学可以改变剪切层的强度和位置，从而为所谓的前缘涡流（LEV）提供大部分升力。涡流动力学已被证明会导致流体动力学力。最近，LEV已被观察到在中等雷诺数，并在变形和顺应性的翅膀在低速飞行和机动的昆虫。拟议的项目将通过调查机翼柔度效应、检查在中等雷诺数下前缘产生的涡流（其中LEV是一个重要的但不一定是主要的升力源）以及通过量化机翼柔度和涡流动力学对升力产生的重要性来推进这一研究领域。 此外，还建议通过将研究成果纳入大学课程以及为马萨诸塞州和马里兰州的当地K-12学校编写几种教学材料来开展教育活动。

1511507(Willis) and 1510962(Jones)This is a collaborative proposal that will utilize experiments and computations to investigate the flow field generated around a flexible wing. While a lot of research has been done to understand how lift forces are generated around solid wings, it is important to also understand why and how soft, flexible wings are used to generate lift. Fundamental knowledge generated through this work can impact both biological sciences as well as the autonomous drone industries (commercial and military).A lot of prior research work has been done on rigid wings, showing that wing kinematics can alter the strength and position of the shear layer that feeds the so-called leading edge vortices (LEVs) that are responsible for the bulk of the lift forces. The vortex dynamics have been shown to result in fluid dynamic forces. More recently, LEVs have been observed on moderate Reynolds number, and in morphing and compliant wings during low speed flight and maneuvering of insects. The proposed project will advance this area of research by investigating wing compliance effects, by examining the vortices generated at the leading edge at moderate Reynolds numbers (where the LEV is a significant but not necessarily dominant source of lift) and by quantifying importance of wing compliance and vortex dynamics to lift force production. Furthermore, educational activities are proposed via integration of research results into university courses as well as the development of several instructional materials for local K-12 schools in both Massachusetts and Maryland.