Investigation of aerodynamic characteristics of concept wing design inspired by the sooty shearwater

Biomimetics, the practice of drawing inspiration from nature to solve engineering challenges, has gained significant traction in aerospace design, particularly in the development of more efficient wing structures. This study investigated the aerodynamic potential of concept wing designs inspired by the Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna Grisea), a seabird renowned for its long-distance migratory capabilities and energy-efficient flight patterns. By leveraging the unique wing morphology of the Sooty Shearwater, three biomimetic wing models were developed using the Goettingen 173 airfoil. These designs were tested in a wind tunnel, where force measurements and flow visualization techniques were employed to evaluate their performance. Force measurement results show that a two-stage stall occurs for both models 1 and 2, with lift coefficient (CL) reaching an intermediate value when the first step occurs. Based on flow visualization results, model 1 demonstrates enhanced aerodynamic performance relative to the other models by dividing the laminar separation bubble into two sections in the spanwise direction as a result of the large stall cell formation. The findings reveal how specific aspects of the shearwater's wing structure can be translated into unmanned aerial vehicle designs, potentially enhancing aerodynamic efficiency in low-speed, low-Reynolds-number flight regimes.