TY  - JOUR
AU  - Meng, Qiwen
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/15
TI  - Beyond Periodic Flapping: Adaptive Unsteady Aerodynamics in Bio-inspired Flying Robots
JO  - Aerospace Engineering Communications
T2  - Aerospace Engineering Communications
JF  - Aerospace Engineering Communications
VL  - 1
IS  - 2
SP  - 81
EP  - 86
DO  - 10.62762/AEC.2026.970989
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/AEC.2026.970989
KW  - flapping-wing air vehicles
KW  - bio-inspired flight
KW  - fluid-structure interaction
KW  - biomimetic robotics
KW  - flapping-wing aerodynamics
AB  - Flapping-wing flight has long inspired bio-inspired aerial robots because of its extraordinary aerodynamic efficiency and maneuverability. Although substantial progress has been achieved in understanding unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms, most existing frameworks remain centered on idealized periodic wing motions and cycle-averaged propulsion. Recent studies increasingly suggest that transient asymmetries and multi-frequency perturbations, traditionally regarded as disturbances, can actively reorganize vortex dynamics and enhance aerodynamic performance. These findings imply that biological flight may rely not solely on stable periodic propulsion, but on continuous adaptation to evolving flow environments. Here, we argue that the next paradigm of flapping-wing aerodynamics should move beyond harmonic propulsion toward adaptive unsteady flight. We discuss how perturbation-enabled control, transient vortex interactions, and fluid-mediated adaptation may reshape the development of future flapping-wing air vehicles capable of dynamically integrating with complex aerodynamic environments.
SN  - 3071-1967
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 

@article{Meng2026Beyond,
  author = {Qiwen Meng},
  title = {Beyond Periodic Flapping: Adaptive Unsteady Aerodynamics in Bio-inspired Flying Robots},
  journal = {Aerospace Engineering Communications},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {1},
  number = {2},
  pages = {81-86},
  doi = {10.62762/AEC.2026.970989},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/AEC.2026.970989},
  abstract = {Flapping-wing flight has long inspired bio-inspired aerial robots because of its extraordinary aerodynamic efficiency and maneuverability. Although substantial progress has been achieved in understanding unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms, most existing frameworks remain centered on idealized periodic wing motions and cycle-averaged propulsion. Recent studies increasingly suggest that transient asymmetries and multi-frequency perturbations, traditionally regarded as disturbances, can actively reorganize vortex dynamics and enhance aerodynamic performance. These findings imply that biological flight may rely not solely on stable periodic propulsion, but on continuous adaptation to evolving flow environments. Here, we argue that the next paradigm of flapping-wing aerodynamics should move beyond harmonic propulsion toward adaptive unsteady flight. We discuss how perturbation-enabled control, transient vortex interactions, and fluid-mediated adaptation may reshape the development of future flapping-wing air vehicles capable of dynamically integrating with complex aerodynamic environments.},
  keywords = {flapping-wing air vehicles, bio-inspired flight, fluid-structure interaction, biomimetic robotics, flapping-wing aerodynamics},
  issn = {3071-1967},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}