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Updated: Sep 13, 2025
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Flapping Soft Fin Deformation Modeling using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging
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Bioinspired Morphing in Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics: Engineering Innovations for Aerospace and Renewable Energy
Farzeen Shahid1, Maqusud Alam1, Jin-Young Park1
1Intelligent Construction Automation Centre, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 25, 2025
Summary
Bioinspired morphing technology mimics nature to enhance aerodynamic and hydrodynamic efficiency. This review highlights key biological designs and their engineering applications, showing significant performance improvements.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Biomimetics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nature provides efficient designs for fluid interaction, seen in bird wings, bat wings, and fish fins.
- Active shape-changing structures offer potential for improved performance in aerospace and marine applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize recent advancements in bioinspired morphing technologies.
- To identify key biological archetypes and their translation into engineering applications.
- To analyze challenges and future directions for morphing technologies.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of 296 studies (2015-2025).
- Analysis of four biological archetypes: avian wing morphing, bat-wing elasticity, fish-fin compliance, and marine flipper tubercles.
- Comparison of experimental and numerical simulation results.
Main Results:
- Identified performance gains: up to 30% increase in lift-to-drag ratio, 4 dB noise reduction, and 15% boost in propulsive/power-capture efficiency.
- Highlighted advances in materials (composites, electroactive polymers) and control strategies.
- Pinpointed barriers to deployment: materials, actuation, control, certification, and durability.
Conclusions:
- Bioinspired morphing technologies show significant promise for efficiency and sustainability.
- Multifunctional composites and adaptive control are key enablers.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for robust and scalable deployment.
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