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Evaluation Of The Thorax Of Manduca Sexta For Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle Applications, Alex C. Hollenbeck
Evaluation Of The Thorax Of Manduca Sexta For Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle Applications, Alex C. Hollenbeck
Theses and Dissertations
The tobacco hornworm hawkmoth (Manduca sexta) provides an excellent model from which to garner knowledge pertaining to the development of a Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle (FWMAV). Insect-sized FWMAVs will be used by the future warfighter for reconnaissance, nuclear/chemical/biological hazard sensing, and targeting. One of the major challenges facing FWMAV developers is the energetically demanding nature of low Reynolds flapping flight. Investigating the Manduca sexta thorax/wing flapping mechanism as a mechanical system will provide insight into its inherent efficiency. This thesis examined the energetics of the thorax under static loading and dynamic loading using an innovative load-application technique. It was …