IIT Madras Develops Bird-Inspired Wing Skin to Prevent Aircraft Stalls
IIT Madras researchers have developed an adaptive wing skin inspired by birds that could improve lift, reduce drag and help aircraft avoid aerodynamic stalls.
Researchers at IIT Madras have developed a bird-inspired “morphing skin” that could help aircraft respond dynamically to changing airflow. The flexible wing attachment is designed to alter its shape when airflow begins separating from the wing, a condition that can cause an aerodynamic stall and a sudden loss of lift.
The system uses Macro Fibre Composite strips to sense and control shape changes in real time. By adapting to airflow, the external skin can help maintain attached airflow, improve lift and reduce drag, potentially contributing to better flight performance and fuel efficiency.
The research, led by Dr Rinku Mukherjee with contributions from IIT Madras alumni Antony Samuel B and Dr Aritras Roy, has been developed over more than two decades. The team tested the concept on a three-dimensional wing based on the NACA 4415 airfoil. Initial experiments indicated that the morphing skin could delay or prevent flow separation while improving aerodynamic performance.
The work builds on IIT Madras’ earlier research into morphing aircraft wings and unsteady aerodynamics, including projects supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Previous studies explored wings capable of changing their camber during flight using MFC-actuated systems.
The latest findings, published in the European Journal of Mechanics, highlight the potential of adaptive wing technologies inspired by how birds adjust their flight surfaces.
