Holy Parachute out of Kirigami
If you have a fear of heights and find yourself falling out of an airplane, you probably don’t want to look up to find your parachute full of holes. However, …read more Continue reading Holy Parachute out of Kirigami
Tag Archives: Aerodynamics
Too Smooth: Football and the “KnuckleBall” Problem
Picture a football (soccer ball) in your head and you probably see the cartoon ideal—a roughly spherical shape made with polygonal patches that are sewn together, usually in a familiar …read more Continue reading Too Smooth: Football and the “KnuckleBall” Problem
Small Feathers, Big Effects: Reducing Stall Speeds With Strips Of Plastic
Birds have long been our inspiration for flight, and researchers at Princeton University have found a new trick in their arsenal: covert feathers. These small feathers on top of birds’ …read more Continue reading Small Feathers, Big Effects: Reducing Stall Speeds With Strips Of Plastic
Zero Motorcycles adopts radical ‘Big Hole’ technology to boost range
UK-based R&D shop White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) punched a gaping hole in a Zero SR/S electric motorcycle to reduce aerodynamic drag by 10%. The prototype now goes faster, and can deliver extended range at highway speeds – proving this method can serv… Continue reading Zero Motorcycles adopts radical ‘Big Hole’ technology to boost range
Desktop wind tunnel runs aerodynamic tests at small scale
Ever wonder how effectively your model cars would slice through the air if they were full-scale functional automobiles? Well, a little something known as the Windsible could tell ya (sort of), as it’s touted as being the world’s first consumer desktop … Continue reading Desktop wind tunnel runs aerodynamic tests at small scale
The Dyke Delta: A DIY Flying Wing Fits Four
The world of experimental self-built aircraft is full of oddities, but perhaps the most eye-catching of all is the JD-2 “Dyke Delta” designed and built by [John Dyke] in the …read more Continue reading The Dyke Delta: A DIY Flying Wing Fits Four
First 2,000 Aptera solar EV Launch Edition production slots claimed
A futuristic-looking electric vehicle that was launched by a Californian startup way back in 2007 is finally on the road to production. Following a year-long crowdfunding effort, the first 2,000 Aptera Launch Edition solar EV production slots have now … Continue reading First 2,000 Aptera solar EV Launch Edition production slots claimed
Hyundai’s “Active Air Skirts” reduce highway drag by 2.8%
Hyundai has developed a new active aerodynamics system for electric vehicles, in the form of “active air skirts” ahead of the front wheels that can increase downforce and stability, while reducing drag and improving highway range.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Hyundai’s “Active Air Skirts” reduce highway drag by 2.8%
Laser-based morphing could lead to self-optimizing airplane wings
A plane wing that changes shape in flight to better handle the airflow crossing it could be on the horizon thanks to a materials science advance from researchers in Stockholm. The trick involves the melting and hole-punching power of lasers.Continue Re… Continue reading Laser-based morphing could lead to self-optimizing airplane wings
Active turbulence cancellation makes bumpy flights 80% smoother
Austrian company Turbulence Solutions claims it’s already flight-testing a system that can detect and neutralize air turbulence, reducing the forces felt by passengers by up to 80% – and reducing fuel burn by up to 10%. It’s set to launch in 2024.Conti… Continue reading Active turbulence cancellation makes bumpy flights 80% smoother