Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight

Chapter 1
dimensional steady aerodynamics, the work is then extended to rotor analysis and
design, culminating in the development of several micro-rotorcraft prototypes.
• Chapter 1: Introduction, summary of work, and summary of contributions.
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Chapter 2: Overview of the utilized two-dimensional analysis methods, including lim-
ited validation and a grid sizing study.
Chapter 3: Analysis and design of airfoils at ultra-low Reynolds numbers. This chap-
ter explores the airfoil design space by parametrically varying the section geometry
and Reynolds number. This culminates in the development of an automated optimal
design tool for two-dimensional airfoils at ultra-low Reynolds numbers.
Chapter 4: The theoretical development of a hybrid method for the automated design
and analysis of micro-rotors. This approach combines classical rotor methods with
several enhancement models and the judicious application of two-dimensional
Navier- Stokes solutions.
Chapter 5: Overview of the experimental and computational methodology used in the
validation of the hybrid method, including a discussion of experimental error.
Chapter 6: Discussion of results, including a description of several candidate micro-
rotor designs and their theoretical and experimental performance. Several anomalous
test results are explained via a hypothesis based on aero-structural deflections. The
chapter discusses the effects on analysis and design of the different enhancement
models for viscous swirl and vortex wake contraction.
Chapter 7: Discussion and overview of several prototype micro-rotorcraft.
Chapter 8: Conclusions and recommendations for future work.