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of birds, without the need for moving parts. Friction will thus be reduced,
and fuel saving increased. Birds are again the chief model to make this
dream a reality: wings that can stretch and change shape according to pre-
vailing air conditions, and which can adjust themselves as they fold up.
Some present-day planes—namely, the military’s F-14, Tomcat and B-
1 Supersonic bomber—are able to adjust their wings. However, these
planes use wide, rigid wings mounted onto heavy struts located in the air-
crafts’ fuselage. Scientists working on the Morphing Project are designing
wings that can open on command, by using metal compounds and materi-
als they describe as having “shape memory” or “intelligence.” The theory is
that when a specific level of heat is applied, these wings will immediately
revert to their original shapes with great force.