Expected Outcomes

The use of smart materials in wing design could yield economic and environmental benefits by reducing weight and drag and CO2 emissions. The reduced weight design would allow for greater fuel efficiency by using shape memory alloy actuators to control an aircrafts flaps. The small number of moving parts allows the system to be installed at a relatively low cost. Modern electrical systems tend to be more energy efficient and reliable when compared to hydraulic systems and thus can show potential savings in maintenance. At high speed and high altitudes, the low temperatures in shape memory alloy can be used to suppress the level of noise.

Conclusion
Research projects are under way, particularly focusing on applications with high potential such as UAVs. Future development may see applications in commercial aircraft soon. The smart wing concept can also be implemented on other aircraft components such as elevators, rudders and slats. Thus, with the rapid expansion of demonstration projects on the capabilities of smart structures in aviation in particular, the industry will realize their benefits and a growing demand for their use will follow.