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Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight

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Chapter 8<br />

further investigation, but do not significantly diminish the utility of the rapid analysis<br />

<strong>and</strong> design method.<br />

Experimental testing has also served to both validate the method <strong>and</strong> expose another<br />

potential problem that strongly influences micro-rotor per<strong>for</strong>mance. Certain designs,<br />

having small hub diameters or high local solidities, exhibited thrust <strong>and</strong> power levels<br />

significantly below predicted values. The two-dimensional aerodynamic studies have<br />

demonstrated the strong need to minimize airfoil thickness at ultra-low <strong>Reynolds</strong><br />

numbers, but the derivation of an aero-structural model <strong>for</strong> torsional deflections reveals<br />

that one consequence of reduced airfoil thickness is a disproportionate increase in<br />

torsional deflections due to rotational effects. Failure to account <strong>for</strong> this in a design can<br />

result in reduced incidence <strong>and</strong> aerodynamic unloading of the rotor.<br />

Finally, this progression of work has led to the design <strong>and</strong> fabrication of prototype<br />

micro-rotorcraft. The largest design brings together current existing technologies into a<br />

flight-vehicle that could provide a valuable test-bed <strong>for</strong> further research. Full realization<br />

of the smallest of these designs appears to be beyond the state of the art, but it sets the<br />

bar <strong>for</strong> the future. Any complex device requires a convergence of necessary<br />

technologies <strong>for</strong> it to come into existence. Motors, batteries, microelectronics, <strong>and</strong> many<br />

other necessary components are progressing at accelerated rates, driven by the wants <strong>and</strong><br />

needs of society. The aerodynamics are still in their infancy <strong>and</strong> progressing slowly.<br />

Even if the end product is not viable now, the research must still continue in order to be<br />

ready at the point that it all comes together - to do anything else is simply short-sighted.<br />

8.3 Consideration of Future Work<br />

This work was not envisioned as all-encompassing, <strong>and</strong> in that regard it has been an<br />

overwhelming success. There are many possible avenues <strong>for</strong> continued ef<strong>for</strong>t. Much can<br />

be done to improve <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong> upon the methods <strong>and</strong> analysis completed here, but there<br />

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