Study of Mosquito Aerodynamics for Imitation as a Small Robot and Flight in a Low-Density Environment

Abstract

In terms of their flight and unusual aerodynamic characteristics, mosquitoes have become a new insect of interest. Despite transmitting the most significant infectious diseases globally, mosquitoes are still among the great flyers. Depending on their size, they typically beat at a high flapping frequency in the range of 600 to 800 Hz. Flapping also lets them conceal their presence, flirt, and help them remain aloft. Their long, slender wings navigate between the most anterior and posterior wing positions through a stroke amplitude about 40 to 45°, way different from their natural counterparts (>120°). Most insects use leading-edge vortex for lift, but mosquitoes have additional aerodynamic characteristics: rotational drag, wake capture reinforcement of the trailing-edge vortex, and added mass effect. A comprehensive look at the use of these three mechanisms needs to be undertaken—the pros and cons of high-frequency, low-stroke angles, operating far beyond the normal kinematic boundary compared to other insects, and the impact on the design improvements of miniature drones and for flight in low-density atmospheres such as Mars. This paper systematically reviews these unique unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of mosquito flight, responding to the potential questions from some of these discoveries as per the existing literature. This paper also reviews state-of-the-art insect-inspired robots that are close in design to mosquitoes. The findings suggest that mosquito-based small robots can be an excellent choice for flight in a low-density environment such as Mars.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis in Biomimetics Applications: A Review from Aerospace Engineering Perspective

“…Bomphrey et al [ 31 ] performed CFD analysis and compared it numerically with the blade element model with the quasi-steady assumption of a hovering mosquito’s wing to determine the force coefficients of Cl and Cd at Re numbers 50 to 300. Singh et al [ 11 ] presented the review studies on the bioinspired mosquito to mimic the role of robotic systems in miniature UAVs. The authors highlighted the unique unsteady aerodynamic characteristic of mosquito flight, which should include rotational drag, wake capture reinforcement of the trailing edge vortex, and an added mass effect for flight in a low-density environment.…”

“…In most studies reviewed, the simulation of CFD was mostly based on dynamic kinematic analysis subjected to oscillation motion. According to Singh et al [ 11 ], the unsteady flow dynamics induced the oscillation of aerodynamic force and moments of flying animals; thus, a mathematical model with nonlinearity should be considered. Abas et al [ 50 ] highlighted the use of predictive quasi-steady model approximation for the condition of unsteady aerodynamic forces that influenced rotation, translation, rotation-translation coupling, and the added-mass effect.…”

Quasi-steady aerodynamic modeling and dynamic stability of mosquito-inspired flapping wing pico aerial vehicle

“…Mosquitoes have class aerodynamic characteristics, making them an exciting insect to study in biomimetics. They have slender wings, high flapping frequencies, low stroke amplitudes, and unique aerodynamic features such as trailing edge vortices for lift than traditional leading ones, rotational drag, delayed stall, and so on ( Singh et al, 2021 ). Several studies have previously been conducted on real mosquitos and their exact computation models, both experimentally and through computational analysis, to better understand these mosquito mechanisms ( Nakata et al, 2015 ; Bomphrey et al, 2017 ; Zhang and Huang, 2019 ; Liu et al, 2020 ).…”

“… (A) Aerodynamic representation of mosquito during flight, mosquito-related flapping cycle phases, formation of leading and trailing edge vortices during phases of the wingbeat cycle of mosquito flight ( Singh et al, 2021 ); (B) RoboMos, a mosquito-inspired FWPAV developed at UPM, Malaysia (Patented). …”

Dwarf Kingfisher-Inspired Bionic Flapping Wing and Its Aerodynamic Performance at Lowest Flight Speed

“…For example, mosquitoes have slightly different aerodynamic characteristics, such as less dependence on usual leading-edge vortices, trailing edge vortices through wake capture, dynamic stall, and rotational drag. This is accompanied by very high flapping frequency and low stroke amplitude [ 1 ]. Power sourcing and autonomous control are the biggest challenges.…”