Feathers in flight inspire anti-turbulence technology

Inspired by nature's own anti-turbulence devices – feathers – researchers have developed an innovative system that could spell the end of turbulence on flights.


Researchers from the Unmanned Systems Research Team at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, have lodged a provisional patent on the system, which mimics the way feathers help birds detect disturbances in the air.
Research supervisor Professor Simon Watkins, said flight testing on a micro plane showed the system significantly reduced the effects of turbulence.
"By sensing gusts and disturbances in air flow through their feathers, birds are able to fly gracefully rather than bouncing around in turbulent air," he said.
"The system we have developed replicates this natural technology, with the aim of enabling planes to fly smoothly through even severe turbulence – just like birds."
The system is based on the concept of phase-advanced sensing, in which flow disturbance is sensed before it results in aircraft movement

http://phys.org/news/2014-10-feathers-flight-anti-turbulence-technology.html