Such MAVs require small flapping flexible wings undergoing structural defor-

mations while producing the required aerodynamic forces. The resulting aeroelastic

effects need to be properly understood to get a prototype MAV model. Information

on flapping flexible wings is too meager for its design. A possible solution might

come by the selective use of nano-technology for the prototype of designs.

Exclusive aspects of insect flight morphology, bio-aerodynamics and Moment

of Inertia (MI) have been discussed for developing bio-mimicking prototype Micro

Aerial Vehicles (MAV). Major experiments and tests have been carried out on Tesser-

atoma javanica (T.j), Soapnut bug as an ideal flier. These insects are found in South

Asian countries including India and Africa. A temperature- and humidity-controlled

Entodome has been constructed for the first time in India especially for breeding

and culturing these wild insects all around the year. The insect flight model could be

suggested based on extensive research work carried out for the last fifty years at K.

U. Warangal and SNIST, Hyderabad.

A nano-torsion balance was used at National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to

measure various aerodynamic forces like thrust, lift and body mass, which is of the

order of less than a gram. Wings on both the sides weigh about 20 mg. The lift

and torque forces in the tethered flight of T.j are observed on an oscilloscope for

measuring the bioacoustic sound and aerodynamic forces. Thoracic pro-scutellum

shape and tergum (geometry) play a vital role in this insect flight. Soapnutbug is a

moderate high-frequency flier.

The smoke studies are conducted on a live insect to study the flow visualization

with and without flapping for the first time by collaborating with the scientists from

NAL-MAVunit, Bangalore. Further detailedexperimental studies areunder progress.

The wingbeat frequency, lift and torque parameters have been estimated in tethered

flight by using a sensitive torsion balance. A low-speed wind tunnel was fabricated

for estimating frequency, velocity and other aerodynamic forces.

TheMIcharacteristicsandWingLoadingstudieshavebeencarriedoutextensively

on T.j by using the strip-analysis method. These studies are helpful to estimate wing

geometry,wingbeatfrequency,associatedaerodynamicparametersandwingdesigns.

Wingspan loading studies have been suggested for understanding insect flight since

this parameter happens to be the ratio of wing loading to aspect ratio and is of practical

importance in comparative bio-aerodynamic studies, leading to nano-technological

bio-mimicking designs.