Alex Rosborough's Blog

The beauty of biomechanics

Over the past 100 years, humans have harnessed the power of flight, evolving from primitive biplanes to aircraft powered by jet propulsion systems.

Unfortunately, the evolution of our aircraft has not seen a great increase in efficiency in terms of energy demand.

The static position of wing design means our aircraft are unable to adapt in response to changes in air pressure, thus we experience turbulence, and inefficient fuel demand.

The efficient avian wing

In attending a talk by Jorn Cheney of The Royal Veterinary College, the way in which the avian wing adapts to environmental changes became apparent.

A bird’s ability to maintain a centre of mass in the harshest conditions results in unprecedented stability.

The average combined weight of a birds wings amount to 10% of total body weight which they use to push with enough force to counteract the body weight, thus resulting in a maintained centre of mass.

He explained that if design engineers could reduce the drag over an aircraft wing by just 1%, the US wide-body fleet would save an average of $140million every year.

An attempt to understand

In an attempt to make this statement a reality, Jorn and his team have studied wing morphing in multiple avian species to try and identify a blueprint for more sustainable aircraft.

He presented a video to explain how birds are able to maintain a stable body position in an ever-changing environment, even in the harshest of winds.

The environmental conditions presented show winds in which our most advanced aircraft would not be able to manage.

He went on to explain how the shape of a wing determines fluid dynamics, and the air vortex created by the wing is analogous to changes in surface depression.

Add soap to see the vortex

Jorn’s experimental model is based on the concept of adding soap bubbles to a corridor absent of light throughout with a 50/50 mixture of air and helium allowing the soap bubbles to float. Light is then added when the bird reaches the end of the tunnel

This model allows for a visual understanding of changes in air movement as the bird flies through. The vortex created by the avian wing can be seen as a result of the movement in soap bubbles.

The variation in species presented throughout the talk demonstrate the variation in vortices produced by a varying wing shape.

Jorn also highlighted the various anatomical features that influence air movement in different ways such as flares on the wing tip producing individual vortices.

A new way of thinking

Jorn’s ideas have really opened my mind to the idea of biomechanics. The way Jorn looks at biological systems for ways to better humanity is a real inspiration.

As a result of this talk, I know that the practical applications of any biological system I come across will always come to mind, and how these systems could better humanity.

As a tech geek, this will definitely influence my future career decisions. By combining my love for the natural world and technology, there is no doubt in my mind this will affect my future career trajectory.

I would love to be in a financial position in the future to create a biotech business, conducting research and creating products based on biological systems.

Who knows, I may even change the future.