Tiny Insect Jets
Deepthi Shanmugam, Indian Institute of Technology
Vengadesan Sankaranarayanan, Indian Institute of Technology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2020.GFM.V0063
Tiny insects like dragonfly flaps in an inclined stroke plane, which derives most of its vertical force from the downstroke. Vortex dipole and its induced jet are unique to inclined stroke plane flapping, which transfer a linear momentum downward causing a lift on the flapping wing. This dipole and its characteristics are studied to understand if it can be used to enhance the vertical force during the hovering flight near the ground. The beauty of continous shedding of the dipoles and the interaction of its recirculating jet with the flapping wing are visualised using the Line Integral Convolution (LIC), vorticity, and pressure contour.
See other videos from the 2020 Gallery of Fluid Motion: https://gfm.aps.org/