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Flapping-mode changes and aerodynamic mechanisms in miniature insects
- Source :
- Physical review. E. 99(1-1)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Miniature insects fly at very low Reynolds number (Re); low Re means large viscous effect. If flapping as larger insects, sufficient vertical force cannot be produced. We measure the wing kinematics for miniature-insect species of different sizes and compute the aerodynamic forces. The planar upstroke commonly used by larger insects changes to a U-shaped upstroke, which becomes deeper as size or Re decreases. For relatively large miniature insects, the U-shaped upstroke produces a larger vertical force than a planar upstroke by having a larger wing velocity and, for very small ones, the deep U-shaped upstroke produces a large transient drag directed upwards, providing the required vertical force.
Details
- ISSN :
- 24700053
- Volume :
- 99
- Issue :
- 1-1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Physical review. E
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....380ccd3b7a99072fffae4c65c8e83e94