Scientists have discovered a new way to improve flying machines by studying bats.
Unlike birds and insects, bats have flexible wings made of a thin membrane, allowing them to fly more efficiently.
Inspired by this, researchers at EPFL’s School of Engineering have designed bat-like wings that could help drones hover better and even improve energy-harvesting technology.
For decades, scientists were puzzled by how small insects like bumblebees could fly.
Eventually, they discovered that insects create a special air movement called a leading-edge vortex, which helps them stay in the air.
However, bats fly differently—they don’t rely on a vortex but instead use the natural flow of air over their flexible wings to generate lift.
Bats are incredibly energy-efficient flyers. In fact, some bats use 40% less energy than moths of a similar size. Researchers wanted to understand if soft, flexible wings could improve flight in machines as well.
To study this, scientists built an experimental wing made of a highly flexible silicone-based material.
They attached it to a rigid frame that could rotate slightly, just like the joints in a bat’s wing.
They then tested the wing by placing it in water with tiny floating particles, allowing them to see how the fluid moved around the wing.
The results were surprising:
✔ Instead of forming a vortex, air moved smoothly over the curved wing, creating strong lift.
✔ A perfectly flexible wing performed better than rigid wings of the same size.
✔ However, if the wing was too soft, it lost efficiency—so finding the right balance is crucial.
This discovery is not just useful for understanding how bats fly—it could lead to major improvements in technology.
✅ Better Drones – Small drones, like quadcopters, often struggle in strong winds or unpredictable weather. Using flapping flexible wings could help drones hover more stably and carry more weight.
✅ Improved Wind and Tidal Energy – The same flexible wing technology could also be applied to wind turbines and tidal energy harvesters, making them more efficient in capturing energy from wind or ocean currents.
✅ Smarter Flying Machines – In the future, with the help of artificial intelligence, drones and energy devices could automatically adjust their wings based on weather conditions or flight missions.
Lead researcher Alexander Gehrke, now at Brown University, believes that studying nature’s best fliers can lead to smarter, more efficient aerial vehicles.
“Bats are excellent at hovering and flying with very little energy,” he explains. “By using biological inspiration, we can design better drones, wind turbines, and even tidal energy systems.”
As researchers continue to refine their bat-inspired wings, we may soon see more drones and energy systems taking cues from nature—leading to smarter, greener, and more efficient technology in the skies and beyond.
Source: KSR.
