Fly Like an Eagle

June 19, 2008

In our never-ending quest to emulate bird flight, researchers at NASA are working on technology that will enable planes of the future to fly like birds.

Instead of being built out of rigid steel and plastic composites, aircraft will be made of flexible, bendable materials embedded with sensors. Think of the sensors as nerves, akin to those in bird feathers. A wing that can sense changes on the wind can make adjustments to its wing shape to control flight. Such technologies are made possible by nanotechnology --specifically carbon nanotubes, which can serve as sensors.

Nanowerk has a great article this week about latest goings-on with NASA's Morphing Project at Langley Research Center.

I just wonder how or if such an aircraft could potentially affect the rising cost of airfare.

Comments

[Mysterymeat]

I've got a couple of aero and bio courses under my belt, and that is about the coolest video of ever seen. Brave new world big time. Thanks !!!