NASA's New Morphing Wings

NASA has developed new wings to be used for aircrafts that are similar to wings of a bird. These wings can morph their shape during flight which could reduce fuel consumption by improving the wing's aerodynamics. These wings are bendable, morphing wings covered with overlapping pieces that look like feathers and could be used to build more agile, fuel-efficient aircraft.

Right now conventional aircrafts depend on hinged flaps, known as ailerons, to help control the way the planes tilt as they fly. When the Wright brothers flew the first airplane, more than a century ago, they did not use ailerons. Instead, they controlled the aircraft using wires and pulleys that bent and twisted the wood-and-canvas wings.

Scientists have been striving to design and develop aircraft wings like a birds. In theory it would give a much smoother and efficient flight. The aerodynamics would have the plane cut and glide through the air. In the past, previous attempts to develop morphing wings have failed because they relied on mechanical control structures within the wings that were so heavy they canceled out any advantages that morphing provided. These structures were to complex and unreliable to work.

The new wing architecture consists of a system of tiny, strong, lightweight modules. The shape of the wing can be changed uniformly along its length using two small motors, which apply a twisting pressure to each wingtip. Wind-tunnel tests of these wings showed that they at least matched the aerodynamic properties of conventional wings, at about one-tenth the weight. Even small improvements in fuel efficiency can have significant impacts on the economics of the airline industry and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The design of these wings makes repairs easier as well.

Video Below: NASA Begins Flight Testing of Shape-Shifting Wings

Source: http://www.livescience.com/56838-morphing-wings-bird-like-aircraft.html