Experimental Investigation of Insect Aerodynamics - unlocking the future of flapping wing micro robotic systems

EPSRC的研究领域：(1)流体动力学和空气动力学；(2)微系统；(3)工程设计；(4)机器人。扑翼推进可能使微型飞行机器人的实现比今天可能的小许多倍，并在工程、生物和环境中开辟全新的机器人应用。然而，目前的进展受到对小尺度扑翼的复杂空气动力学行为以及改变机翼形状和扑动运动的影响的不完全了解的限制。因此，该项目的目标是建立对昆虫般的扑翼空气动力学背后的物理基础的理解，并确定能够在这种规模上提高空气动力学性能的关键变量。这项工作涉及使用尖端实验技术来探索鲜为人知的空气动力学现象。将设计和实现实验装置，以允许详细测试不同的机翼形状、机翼运动和流动条件对昆虫状扑翼的力、力矩和流场的影响。实验台将包括一个机器人平台，能够在水/矿物油储罐中为一系列昆虫翅膀形状产生精确的翅膀拍打运动。该钻机将与用于收集所产生的力/扭矩时间历史的力/扭矩传感器以及用于流动可视化测量的粒子图像测速设备集成在一起。该项目预计将通过对基本物理学的深入理解来开发新的物理科学内容，从而改进微型扑翼飞行器推进系统的设计，并向生物力学社区提供有关自然界飞行系统的形态和演变的信息。

EPSRC Research Areas: (1) Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics; (2) Microsystems; (3) Engineering Design; and (4) Robotics.Flapping wing propulsion potentially allows the realisation of micro flying robots many times smaller than what is possible today, and opens up completely novel robotic applications in engineering, biology and the environment. Current progress, however, is limited by incomplete understanding of the complex aerodynamic behaviour of flapping wings at small scales and the effect of changing wing shape and flapping motion. The objective of this project is, therefore, to establish the understanding of the physics underlying insect-like flapping wing aerodynamics and to identify the key variables that can enhance aerodynamic performance at this scale. The work involves use of cutting edge experimental techniques to explore poorly understood aerodynamic phenomena. Experimental set-ups will be designed and realised to allow detailed testing of the effect of varying wing shapes, wing motion kinematics, and flow conditions on the forces, moments, and flow fields for insect-like flapping wings. The experimental rig will involve a robotic platform capable of generating precise wing flapping motions for a range of insect wing shapes within a water/mineral oil tank. The rig will be integrated with force/torque sensors for collecting the generated forces/torques time histories as well as particle image velocimetry equipment for flow visualisation measurements. The project is expected to develop novel physical sciences content through developing deep understanding of the underlying physics that enables improved design of micro flapping wing vehicle propulsion systems and also informs the biomechanical community regarding the morphology and evolution of flight systems in nature.