MAE-4281- Aerospace Structure Design

Ashishkumar khoyani

Homework-01 Research Article on Better Flight Through Shape-Shifting Materials

According to the article of Better flight through shape-shifting materials written by Louis,
mentioned that the Airforce laboratory, FlexSys, and NASA made the successful test of the
FlexFoils by modifying its trailing edge.1 FlexFoil is the new design concept of the airfoil which
can optimize the fuel efficiency as well as will reduce the loads and air noise in the environment.
Furthermore, The FlexFoils provide the airfoil structure which can replace the conventional
surface for consistent and camber ability. According to the article, their so many aspects of
aircraft design which will generate high lift leading edge slat and it will create more noise
surrounding the area of airports. So, A&m University did the research and made the alloy based
slat structure which provide the slat cove filler, and which helpful to reduce the noise of airplane
without reducing the aerodynamic function of an aircraft. Moreover, Better flight through shapeshifting material basically about the how to make a design of airfoil of the airplane, rotor of
helicopters by using of composite material which can give the maximum performance without
reducing of flight performance. Also, it would help to save fuel and reduce noise pollution in the
environment.1
Furthermore, Gulfstream business-plane retrofitted with FlexFoil TM - Variable Geometry
Control Surface innovation is planning for NASA/Air Force flight tests in July 2014. According
to the article written by Steven, he mentioned in the article of Shape-shifting wings to fly in July
that airplane designer and engineer are now interested in making of the aircraft wing which can
smoothly change its shape as the bird or bat. This concept can be done rather than using the
moving slats and joint flaps.2 This morph design is the notion of that design wing can be made
with composite materials. FlexFoil is the new concept of wing design that can provide shape
morphing control surfaces, and it will reduce the noise and save fuel. It was the test done in
Gulfstream 3 jet by the joining efforts of NASA and FlexSys. For example, NASA and US Air
force funded for the project of Advance fighter technology integration which was mission F-111
to create the adaptive design of wing. According to this concept smooth surface and variable
camber, wind provides the maximum efficiency of aerodynamic of flight, as well as it, will
adjust wing shape based on the flight condition. ACTE is the Adaptive compliant trailing edge
which manufactured by FlexSys Inc. The design was 14ft long, and it was very stiff and flexible.
This design is work with one or two single actuators, and it will deflect the beam up and down
toward the next air stream, it was also altered the camber when it is needed.
Figure 1 shows the design of an airfoil which was devised by the FlexSys Inc. and it was
tested in Gulfstream 3 jet by joining efforts of NASA and FlexSys Inc. This design was very
efficient and very flexible which can provide maximum aerodynamic efficiency and also provide
the mechanism for flexible wing concept that can change the shape due to the response of flight
condition. According to FlexFoil ACTE results is shows that each element of the design structure
could deform the due to length share by the wing surface in the curved. The new control surface
innovation is lightweight, robust, practical, and transforms sufficiently quick to react
progressively also. Two 2-ft-long) accordion-like move surfaces flawlessly compass the space
between the finishes of twisting pillar to the settled wing surface, leaving no drag-boosting
breeches.2
According to article Shape-shifting wings to fly in July a clean sheet wing design using the
FlexFoil airfoil can save the fuel about 12%, and will increase the economy of fuel 4 to 5%. It
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MAE-4281- Aerospace Structure Design

Ashishkumar khoyani

can be possible due significant benefit of composite material which can be used to make the
FlexFoil, and that is allowed to wind reduce the span, and induce the drag, and will shift the
wing stress load to the root of wing box where it stronger capacity.

Figure 1 FlexFoil design with Adaptive compliant trailing edge ground demonstrator camber a
wing flexibly2
According to the article of Shape-shifting wings to fly in July the Research Laboratory
(AFRL) and US Airforce supported for development of FlexFoil in Ohio and also funded about
the $20 million.2 The FlexFoil was constructed using the composite material such as Aluminum,
Titanium, and the fiber-reinforced polymer. These all metals are very light weight and also the
composite material was also light weight. So the overall design of FlexFoil was very light
weight.
In addition to that, the alterable flexible design of FlexFoil wing provides so many
benefits. According to the article of Shape-shifting wings to fly in July in this article Flick
mentioned some benefit of FlexFoil, which is as follow: simplified design, reduced the fuel burn,
real-time optimization of airfoil due changing a condition of flight. Also, it will maneuver the
load relieves; moreover, according to Flick in the strong wind gust and rapidly movement of an
aircraft, the weight will become heavier and will create the difficulties of unnecessary load
deflection. However, the FlexFoil response very quickly and change the shape of foil according
to the situation aircraft condition, and it will relieve the aerodynamic loads.2 In conclusion, New
"transforming" innovation guarantees talented airplane that reshapes themselves, wounded
animal like, in flight. College and industry analysts subsidized by the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency and others are exploring different avenues regarding wings and
helicopter rotors that overlay, shrink, amplify, tilt, and curve in flight. It's a leap forward in a
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MAE-4281- Aerospace Structure Design

Ashishkumar khoyani

plane outline that would let a particular plane tackle the persona of an aircraft one minute, a
contender the following.
According to the article of Shape-Shifting Carbon Composites Could Save Fuel in this
article Bullis mentioned that Airbus and research at MIT are making the material that can change
shape and can use to design the aircraft wing.3 So, this could make an aircraft lighter, simpler
and will save the fuel. It can be made of carbon fiber which is the composite material and will
helpful shift the shape of the material. Also, shifting of material will help to change air pressure,
heat and will work in any environmental factor. The application of composite can be used in jet
engines air intake valve which needed to alter the change of altitude of the jet engine.
In conclusion from the above discussion, it can be clearly stated that carbon fiber and
other composite materials are new material and advancement of developing of an aircraft airfoil
to reduce the airplane fuel coast, as well lessen the noise of the plane. So, if the flexible wing
used in aircraft will change the shape without joining of flaps, and it will work with any
temperature change, change in heat, and environmental change. Therefore, morphing is the
significant advancement in the material field, and it will be helpful to manufacture the efficient
design of an airfoil because it will provide the flexibility of an airplane in the situation stress of
fast flying. The FlexFoil was the example of the flexible airfoil which is made from the
composite material. The powerful application of Flexifoil technology can be leading the trailing
edge of the wings, and it will provide other application flight surface of airline wings, can be
used in military transportation, and will allow flying an airplane at high altitude. Thus, the
composite material is very useful nowadays to designing of an aircraft wing and helicopters
rotor, and FelxFoil is one of the examples of an airfoil which made from composite material
which can change the shape according to flight movement and condition of an aircraft.

MAE-4281- Aerospace Structure Design

Ashishkumar khoyani
References

Periodicals
1
Centolanza, L.R., "Better flight through shape-shifting materials," Vol. 53, No. 11, 2015, pp.
2
Steven, Ashley, Shape-Shifting Carbon Composites Could Save Fuel, URL:
http://articles.sae.org/13178/ 05,2015,
3
Milstein, Michael, Shape Shifters, Air and Space Magazine, 01,2015 URL:
http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/shape-shifters-15512296/?no-ist