Research on Small-sized Aerodynamic Devices based on Fine Structures on Insect Wings

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26630438
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Asai Keisuke 東北大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (40358669)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NUMATA DAIJU 東北大学, 大学院工学研究科, 助教 (20551534)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 低レイノルズ数 / 空気力学 / バイオミメティクス / 感圧塗料 / 流体制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this research is to understand the aerodynamic effects of protuberances, that can be seen on insect wings, on airfoil performance at low Reynolds numbers. In this study, we conducted airfoil tests in the Mars Wind Tunnel at Tohoku University, using an NACA0012 airfoil as base model. We attached two dimensional protuberances on the airfoil surface and changed its location and height. The obtained results revealed that the effects of protuberance are dependent on its location and height as well as Reynolds number. Particularly, when the protuberance was attached near the trailing edge on the pressure side, significant effects on the aerodynamic performance were noted. The effect of this protuberance is similar to that of Gurney Flap. The tests were conducted to understand the lift-enhancing mechanism of GF. Visualization results of flow around the airfoil show that unsteady vortex shedding on the upper surface forms low pressure region, producing higher lift.

Free Research Field

航空宇宙工学