Materials, Structure, and Dynamics of Insect Wings as Bioinspiration for MAVs

Insect wings are complex, deformable structures that change shape dynamically during flight. Muscles are restricted to the wing base – thus, shape changes are largely passive, determined by the interaction between the wing's architecture and the aerodynamic and inertial forces associated with flapping flight. Because insect wing structure reflects numerous evolutionary trade-offs and constraints, no single wing represents the “optimal” design for flight, but particular features may enhance certain aspects of flapping flight performance. Wings are primarily composed of tubular supporting veins and deformable membranes, with diverse material and structural properties. Venation pattern and planform shape vary widely, and wings display three-dimensional corrugation, camber, and twist. Specialized features such as flexion lines, one-way hinges, patches of rubber-like protein, and inertial balancers contribute to patterns of wing deformation during flight. Spatial variation in mechanical properties and “smart” structures promote and control dynamic camber generation, transverse bending, and torsional waves. The effects of wing structure and dynamic shape changes on unsteady aerodynamic force production remain unknown, and their exploration requires the development of novel experimental tools. Keywords: insect wings; material; structure; shape; flexibility; deformation; bending; camber; torsion; dynamics