2. Other- engineering

New “Morphing” Wing Could Enable More Efficient Plane Flight

("New ‘Morphing’ Wing...")

SUMMARY:

Engineers at MIT and NASA have developed new wing architecture that could greatly simplify the manufacturing process and reduce fuel consumption by improved-wing aerodynamics. This design is made out of a system of tiny-lightweight subunits that can be assembled by small specialized robots, and “could ultimately be used to build the entire airframe”. The wing would be covered by ‘a skin’ made by “overlapping pieces that might resemble scales or feathers”. Wind-tunnel tests conducted by engineers for this structure showed it that it matches the aerodynamic properties of a conventional wing at only one-tenth of a conventional wing’s weight. The “skin” of the wing also enhances the structure’s performance because it is made out of such flexible materials. One of the biggest advantages of this type of wing is that it is much easier to assemble and disassemble compared to a regular wing, and an inspection robot can easily find broken parts and replace it to “keep the aircraft 100 percent healthy at all times”,(2016).

DISCUSSION:

This fact that this type of wing can help make the plane flight  more efficient can positively impact the lives of everyone. This is because it will also help make the plane more fuel efficient because “a plane like a Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon of fuel (about 4 liters) every second. Over the course of a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters),” (HowStuffWorks). This type of wing will also be reusable, and both of these things will benefit the environment. Also, I think by having new wings that weigh 1/10 of a normal conventional wing, but are still as aerodynamic as normal wings, navigating a plane would become easier for myself if I ever become a pilot, and that inspection robots can find damaged areas and repair them to keep planes healthy at all times also reduces the error factor in planes and can help reduce the number of airplane crashes and accidents. Those were all reasons as to why I believe that new “morphing” wings can have a positive impact on everyone.

Works cited

2016. “New ‘Morphing’ Wing Could Enable More Efficient Plane Flight.” Technology, SciTech Daily, 3 Nov. 2016, http://scitechdaily.com/new-morphing-wing-could-enable-more-efficient-plane-flight/. Accessed 6 Dec. 2016.

HowStuffWorks. How Much Fuel Does an International Plane Use for a Trip? | HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks, 1 Apr. 2000, http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/question192.htm. Accessed 6 Dec. 2016.