UC Irvine

Despite mankind’s remarkable advancements in aerial technology, flying birds and insects still outperform the agility, maneuverability, and stability of man-made aircrafts. The purpose of FWMAV is to investigate the physical phenomena behind unsteady aerodynamics and nonlinear flight to achieve its aerial capabilities. Three main components are evaluated separately: (1) the non-linear flight mechanism, (2) the flow field, and (3) the force generated. The ultimate goal is to combine the accumulated data, extrapolate quantifiable results, and illustrate the high performance of FWMAVs. The team tackles problems to determine solutions that lie at the forefront of evolving flapping wing mechanics . Engineering a drone that flies utilizing four sets of flapping wings (known as a ‘quad-flapper’) stems from theories such as Kapitza’s pendulum, which demonstrates vibrational stabilization. Acquiring greater control over all aspects of the design provided opportunities for extensive research and development to supplement the solidification of the Beta Drone’s flight potential. From the motor, to the crank-and-flapper system, the most efficient combinations were examined from thrust and lift data gathered from the load cells. Alongside these drones, the team strives to find different methods of replicating naturalistic flapping motion observed in nature.