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Comments on Bio-physics of Insect Flight (Present and Future)

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is related to rate of mass flow of air, displaced by the wings of the flyer while the tip

of the wing of the flyer traces a figure of’8’. Aerodynamically wingbeat frequency

plays the prominent role in insect flight. This in turn is linked to moment of inertia. A

detailed discussion of moment of inertia and their significance have been explained.

Chintinous membrane and analogous materials along with their chemical compo-

sitions are given in Chap. 8. Chitin is known as a most renewable biopolymer in

the formation of the body of an insect having commercial importance. Resilin is a

very high elastic material useful for wing beat frequency of the insect. Analogous

materials like silk and spider fiber and their importance is also discussed. Spider silk

is rather bullet proof and can be of great importance in defence and in the design of

bullet proof jackets.

Aeroelasticity is a combination of physics and engineering, relating to inertial,

elastic and aerodynamic forces involved in insect flight. The aeroelastic phenomena

are required basically in designing and developing microair vehicles. The aeroelastic

properties of analogous materials studied here need further investigation.

MigrationandNavigationofinsects,especiallyLocustandMonarchbutterflyhave

been discussed in some detail. There will be no aerial migration without Navigation.

The Navigation and orientation are due to Radical pair reaction mechanism of

Magneto reception in the eye of the flier [2]. Sense organs play a vital role in migra-

tion, orientation and navigation. Solar, stellar and geomagnetic compasses help in

this process.

Tables about Migration and Bionavigation have been enclosed for information

and future guidance in respective chapters.

The design and development of bio mimicking vehicle is the main issue. The

design of MAVs is linked to Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and the

production of MEMS is an open challenge for Semiconductor Technology. A brief

accountoftheseMAVsandMEMSisalsogiven.Thebio-physicalandaerodynamical

information provided in this book may be exploited in designing and development

of bio mimicking small aereal vehicles with flapping flexible wings. Wing and body

parameters like wing dimensions, υh, wing loading, wing span loading, aspect ratio

and other aero dynamical forces can be very much useful in such designs.

Future Study

Information available in the literature for the design of bio mimicking MAVs and

flapping flexible wings is rather scanty. The flight data base of insects, birds and bats

has to be classified and stored for future research work at global level. Bio physics of

insect flight is an interdisciplinary approach, depending on the cooperative contribu-

tions of biophysicists, physicists, biochemists, mathematicians, aerodynamic scien-

tists and engineers from nanotechnology. This needs a common platform where the

above scientists meet and discuss at national and international levels once in two

years.