Moves Through The Air Using Petal-Shaped Wings

Researchers at New York University's Applied Math Lab say they have built the world's first aircraft that propels its self through the air using motion similar to that of a jellyfish moving through the water.

The aircraft weighs just .07 ounces, according to the researchers, and uses four petal-shaped wings, each just four inches long, to push it through the air.

The French news service AFP reports that a micro-motor moves the wings at about 20 beats per second, forcing air out of the bottom of the cone which is created when the wings come together. That makes the jellyfish aircraft an "ornithopter," an aircraft which can stably hover without needing constant corrections. "If it's knocked over, it stabilizes by itself," said researcher Leif Ristroph, who works alongside Stephen Childress at New York University's Applied Math Lab.

Corrections are made as one or more wings apply greater force against the air to keep the aircraft stable.

The two scientists said they had started out to emulate an insect with their flying machine, but wound up with a jellyfish instead.

The proof-of-concept aircraft is powered by a fine wire. The researchers say the next step is to add a battery and remote control. New York University has already applied for a patent.

But they researchers have not yet named the tiny aircraft, which they say has military as well as civilian uses, such as air quality monitoring. "The name AeroJelly would be cool," Ristroph said.

(Image provided by New York University's Applied Math Lab)

FMI: https://math.nyu.edu/aml