Wings combine support and material economy: winged insects

1 of 1 Dragonfly wing / Rogue 141 / License

The wings of insects combine structural support and material economy because they are flat, braced surfaces.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Support for flat structures such as awnings, tents, sun shades. Nanoscale membranes

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Insect wings provide yet another example of braced, flat surfaces--cylindrical cantilever beams (veins) support a thin membrane. A pound of fruit-fly wings laid end to end would stretch about 500 miles, a very low mass per unit length--a steel wire to go so far would have about the same diameter as a red blood cell. Yet in each second of flight the tip of a wing moves several meters and reverses direction four hundred times. Other paddles and fins are fairly flat as well, as are some feathers, the book gills of horseshoe crabs, and a scattering of other stiff structures. In all these cases, though, flatness suits functions other than support. From a mechanical viewpoint the flatness of these systems, however impressive, is perhaps best regarded as a necessary evil--and their designs incorporate features that offset their intrinsically low flexural stiffness." (Vogel 2003:439)

About the inspiring organism

Insecta
Insecta

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Support for flat structures such as awnings, tents, sun shades. Nanoscale membranes.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Nanotechnology

References

Steven Vogel. 2003. Comparative Biomechanics: Life's Physical World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 580 p.

Wings combine support and material economy: winged insects

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