Is this website slowly becoming a birder’s haven? Maybe if you’re a birder who is also interested in technology. First, we blogged about how biomimetic studies of the Northern Goshawk were used to create a more adaptable drone. Now, we’re seeing something more immediately-applicable in the real world, and it’s all thanks to owls.
Research led by City, University of London’s professor, Christoph Bruecker, reveals that micro finlets in owl feathers allow the birds to fly silently.
This information could help airplane engineers reduce aircraft noise.
More from a recent Science Daily report:
Their research outlines their translation of the detailed 3D geometry data of typical owl feather examples provided by Professor Hermann Wagner at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) into a biomimetic aerofoil to study the aerodynamic effect on the special filaments at the leading edge of the feathers.
The results show that these structures work as arrays of finlets which coherently turn the flow direction near the aerodynamic wall and keep the flow for longer and with greater stability, avoiding turbulence.
…This effect is known to stabilize the flow over a swept wing aerofoil, typical for owls while flapping their wings and gliding.
…His team was surprised that instead of producing vortices, the finlets act as thin guide vanes due to their special 3D curvature.
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It’s one thing to be able to design an improved, flexible drone — but to actually impact the effects of the world’s thousands of daily flights? That’s an impressive finding.
Good news for IT directors, CIOs, and building managers: biomimicry has just as many theoretical and provable benefits for the office. So why not look to nature for your next project?
We’ll continue to cover the topic here – just search “biomimicry” or bookmark our tag page to keep up with this trending topic.
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