Page 100 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

In Aviation Research, the Vulture’s Feathers Show the Way

During a plane’s flight, pressure changes at the wing’s edge can
form small vortexes—air currents at the edges of the wings
that can impede flight perfor-
mance.
Aviation research
studies have revealed
that when vultures fly,
they open their quill feath-
ers—the large feathers at the edge of the wing—like the fingers of a hand.
From this observation, researchers thought of taking it as a model to make
small metal ailerons and test them in flight. Using these, they hoped it
would be possible to reduce the vortexes’ unwelcome effects on a plane
by setting up a series of smaller vortexes to re-
place the large ones that had previously been
causing problems. Experiments proved this
idea to be correct, and they are now seeking
to implement it in real aircraft.