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Basal complex and its key components in odonate wings A–D Basal complex of the dragonfly S. vulgatum forewing (A) and hindwing (B), the damselfly I. elegans forewing (C) and the damselfly C. splendens forewing (D) (according to the nomenclature of Rehn, 2003). Wings are shown from the dorsal side with “+” and “−” indicating if veins are raised (hill) or lowered (valley) in reference to the midline of the wing. Red areas show the discoidal cells. AA anal vein anterior, C costal vein, CuA cubital vein anterior, CuP cubital vein posterior, IR intercalated vein, MA median vein anterior, MP median vein posterior, RA radial vein anterior, RP radial vein posterior, ScA subcostal vein anterior, ScP subcostal vein posterior. Scale bars: 0.5 cm (A, B, D), 0.2 cm (C).
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Insect wings are adaptive structures that automatically respond to flight forces, surpassing even cutting-edge engineering shape-morphing systems. A widely accepted but not yet explicitly tested hypothesis is that a 3D component in the wing’s proximal region, known as basal complex, determines the quality of wing shape changes in flight. Through ou...
Citations
... Actively foldable and deforming structural components in birds, beetles, and bats have been demonstrated to significantly enhance maneuverability [75,85,86]. Among these flying animals, bats exhibit the most sophisticated shapemorphing flight mechanism, enabled by their complex musculoskeletal system, which integrates membranes, bones, and muscles synergistically to achieve over 40 degrees of freedom in diverse maneuvers [85,87,88]. For instance, the leading edge membrane, spanning between the wrist and shoulder, plays a pivotal role in controlling flow separation and the leading-edge vortex, thereby boosting lift during flight [89]. ...
Advancements in intelligent materials for the past few decades enabled the development of functional morphing structures and robots operating in fluid environments. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems for functional morphing structures and robots were naturally accentuated. In this paper, the recent advancements in shape-morphing robots and structures in fluid flow across different Reynolds number scales are reviewed and summarized, from microrobots with Reynolds numbers much lower than 1 to deformable aircraft in turbulent flows. To improve the design and functionality of the morphing structures and robots, we discuss modeling methods, experiments, and materials for the morphing structures over a vast range of Reynolds numbers. Understanding FSI in designing morphing structures and robots is emphasized. Following up with several critical future questions to address, the potential applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) techniques in improving the design of shape-morphing structures and robots are discussed. These shape-morphing structures are expected to significantly enhance sustainable solutions for challenges and explore the unknown of deeper oceans and outer space.
... This design provides the wings with notable rigidity against span-wise forces while allowing flexibility in the chord-wise direction. Additionally, other design elements, such as resilin-rich flexible joints, fused joints, spikes, spike-containing joints, nodus, basal complex, pterostigma and flexion lines, together create a complex network, enabling the wing to achieve the necessary camber and twisting for aerodynamic force generation during flight (figure 2) [41][42][43][44][45]. These elements not only establish synergistic relations, operating as a mutually dependent and interconnected wing structure, but also exhibit mechanical responsiveness influenced by their initial design factors. ...
... (a,f ) Reproduced from [40]. (b) Image is reproduced from [41]. (c,d) Images are reproduced from [35]. ...
Presenting a novel framework for sustainable and regenerative design and development is a fundamental future need. Here we argue that a new framework, referred to as complexity biomechanics, which can be used for holistic analysis and understanding of natural mechanical systems, is key to fulfilling this need. We also present a roadmap for the design and development of intelligent and complex engineering materials, mechanisms, structures, systems, and processes capable of automatic adaptation and self-organization in response to ever-changing environments. We apply complexity biomechanics to elucidate how the different structural components of a complex biological system as dragonfly wings, from ultrastructure of the cuticle, the constituting bio-composite material of the wing, to higher structural levels, collaboratively contribute to the functionality of the entire wing system. This framework not only proposes a paradigm shift in understanding and drawing inspiration from natural systems but also holds potential applications in various domains, including materials science and engineering, biomechanics, biomimetics, bionics, and engineering biology.
The unfolding and folding mechanisms of insect wings have always been a research field of concern for scientists. Recently, many engineers have combined these mechanisms with origami to develop innovative foldable structures. This Review discusses the mechanisms of insect hindwing unfolding and folding, particularly in the Coleoptera and Dermaptera, revealing the inherent relationship between folding models and insect wing folding mechanisms, including the construction of bistable systems, the generation of internal elastic forces and the reasons for dual stiffness. In addition, this Review also discusses the effects of hydraulic pressure, thoracic muscles, abdominal movements, wing flapping and other mechanisms on the wings. Finally, we introduce the current applications in aircraft and grippers inspired by these mechanisms. Learning the mechanism of insect wing folding and utilizing mechanical structures and artificial materials to reproduce the delicate folding of insect wings can provide a wide range of inspirations for foldable structure design.
Scaling in insect wings is a complex phenomenon that seems pivotal in maintaining wing functionality. In this study, the relationship between wing size and the size, location, and shape of wing cells in dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) is investigated, aiming to address the question of how these factors are interconnected. To this end, WingGram, the recently developed computer‐vision‐based software, is used to extract the geometric features of wing cells of 389 dragonflies and damselfly wings from 197 species and 16 families. It has been found that the cell length of the wings does not depend on the wing size. Despite the wide variation in wing length (8.42 to 56.5 mm) and cell length (0.1 to 8.5 mm), over 80% of the cells had a length ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mm, which was previously identified as the critical crack length of the membrane of locust wings. An isometric scaling of cells is also observed with maximum size in each wing, which increased as the size increased. Smaller cells tended to be more circular than larger cells. The results have implications for bio‐mimetics, inspiring new materials and designs for artificial wings with potential applications in aerospace engineering and robotics.
