Instead of those huge, complex and expensive metallic surveillance birds that are being used at present, miniscule, four-and-half inch aircrafts are on the way to prove themselves far more effective in terms of cost and espionage. For many years, these type of aircrafts were a neccessity for many armies. But due to the constraints of the basic laws of aerodynamics it couldn’t bear fruit - aircraft as small as few inches is energy inefficient and cannot withstand strong wind currents. However, Peter Ifju, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Florida, analyzed the flight of bats to create a flexible wing to the aircraft. This wing has been built of carbon-fiber skeleton covered with latex membrane that adjusts itself along the wind current and is also strong enough to bear the weight of the aircraft. This miniscule craft can stabilize itself in strong wind current for 15 minutes after which its battery needs to be recharged. Well, that’s a setback; but then you can also use them in dozens!
Source: DiscoverMagazine
