WASHINGTON – Currently, aircraft use rigid wings that change theirdirection based on the changing aerodynamic parameters but thanks toengineers from NASA and MIT this is about to change.
Recently, in a peer-reviewed scientific journal for advanced materials,“Smart material and structures” the engineers and researcher from NASA andMIT explained how they were successful in producing a lightweight andflexible structure for aircraft wings.
Scientifically speaking, having something lightweight yet durable insteadof the old school rigid wings on the aircraft will be a huge breakthroughnot only in terms of saving fuel and increased efficiency but also forincreasing the traveling speed.
The material used is a ‘metamaterial’ which is made of a combination ofpolymer and thin metal fibers. The structure comprises of triangle strutswith empty space inside. This is why the whole structure is extremelylightweight.
When compared to rubber it has a 1000 times lower density. Theselightweight and flexible struts change the position based on theaerodynamic factors which include height, speed, and directions.
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This innovation may result in more efficient aircraft, and even though thedesign is not exactly new, it was only recently implemented. The firstprototype is hand-built but engineers are looking to automate the processusing robots.
Like any other technology, it will be expensive and rarely availableinitially but with time, we can envision a future with flexible aircraftwings.
