Fly Spy

Here in the UK we can already buy these, they are dragon flies that are radio controlled!

Spencer.

We do too, but they're like, six inches long! These are fly-sized, and an amazing use of DARPA money...

What intrigues me the most is that he seems to have improved on the wing design. Millions of years of natural selection provided the best working solution biologically, but that does not mean it is the inherently best solution. Wonder how they'll react to this:

Wait and see!

I think (after reading the article) that only the drive is good in power density.

But coupling of a piezoelectric actuator to a wing is a tricky and difficult task requiring some mechanical impedance matching.

Muscles have a fatigue limit to restore energy delivery.

Piezos have a fatigue limit at low stress and after exceeding the number of cycles at given stress ther will be catastrophic failure.

To prevent this any stress in tension has to be prevented: pre-stressing is required.

Pre-stressing is extremely difficult in bimorfs, but bimorfs are required to have easier impedance matching.

Think about the producer of piezo fans that was selling small fans at 3$ each. The company went bankrupt after early failure of all (?) fans.

This will not bother DARPA.

Did anybody see the matching gear mechanism? If yes please post the principle.

RHABE

"Wonder how they'll react to this: "

That would seem to the next evolution of things to come robotic spiders or wasps to catch robotic flies. With the wasp we have an assassin's tool.

I'd think natural spiders could catch all but the most robust artificial flies - their webs are amazingly strong. Pound for pound, several times more so than any steel alloy. But the wasp assassin, now that idea has merit. Enough so that I'm sure the concept hasn't escaped the DDSAs. (Deepest Darkest Security Agencies)

How about these in iron...

and bronze...

Gives a whole new meaning to bugging an office/house, doesn't it?

It would appear that the research could have far reaching impacts on the design of commercial aircraft in the future if mechnical controls can be developed.

So successful swatting becomes even more desirable!

So my food source is set to drop? Horrible!

Yes you horrible old bat, and If I catch you in my net your done for!!!

Spencer.

Creful, the animal right activists will be on you. Bats are a protected species.