Drag reduction by reconfiguration of highly flexible structures subjected to fluid flow

在大多数传统的工程应用中，结构被设计成刚性的，使得它们必须承受的载荷不会使它们显著变形。在自然界中，情况正好相反。特别是当涉及到流体载荷时，自然结构往往是顺应性和柔性的，而人造结构是刚性和不屈服的。植物寻求最大化其表面积以捕获最多的阳光，当它们受到流体负载（无论是水流还是风）时，通过改变它们的形状来利用它们的灵活性。我们说他们重新配置。

In most traditional engineering applications, structures are designed to be stiff such that the loads they must bear do not deform them substantially. In nature, the contrary is true. Especially when it comes to fluid loading, natural structures tend to be compliant and flexible whereas man-made structures are rigid and unyielding. Plants, which seek to maximize their surface area to capture the most sunlight, make use of their flexibility by changing their shape when they are subjected to a fluid loading, whether water flow or wind. We say that they reconfigure.