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Biomimicry of the Manduca sexta Hawkmoth in Artificial Wings for use in a Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Sciences (Engineering), Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Mechanical Engineering.
This work presents a morphological study of the wings of over 20 Manduca sexta hawkmoths, resulting in values of their overall mass, venation structure mass, and flexural stiffness. This data is then used in the creation of nine different artificial left and right wings, based directly upon the wing geometry of these moths. These manufactured wings were made with three different membrane materials, Icarex Ripstop Fabric, Mylar film, and Kapton film. These materials were selected through a careful study based primarily on density and stiffness. Likewise, these wings were based on different templates from scans of three different moth wings. The manufactured wings were then compared with the natural wings. This resulted in a number of conclusions. Both Icarex and Kapton were on the heavier end, but acceptable. Mylar was far too lightweight and therefore unacceptable. Kapton is the most ideal material found so far for replicating the mass of the wings. Flexural stiffness was also assessed and none of the materials were deemed acceptable. They were all roughly an order of magnitude higher than desired, although Mylar proved the closest among them. Icarex retained its camber the best. It can be concluded that among these materials Icarex is the best choice, as it has acceptable mass and retains camber well. That being said, further research must be done before flexural stiffness can be accurately replicated.
Roger Quinn (Advisor)
Richard Bachmann (Committee Member)
Mark Willis (Committee Member)
149 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Weisfeld, M. (2019). Biomimicry of the Manduca sexta Hawkmoth in Artificial Wings for use in a Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554846397349269

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Weisfeld, Matthias. Biomimicry of the Manduca sexta Hawkmoth in Artificial Wings for use in a Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle. 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554846397349269.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Weisfeld, Matthias. "Biomimicry of the Manduca sexta Hawkmoth in Artificial Wings for use in a Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554846397349269

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)