What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to introduce Structural Co-inhabitation Theory (SCT) as a framework for understanding locomotion in turbulent environments, complementing existing equations.

April 28, 2026Open Access

Structural Co-inhabitation Theory

Key Points

The aim is to introduce Structural Co-inhabitation Theory (SCT) as a framework for understanding locomotion in turbulent environments, complementing existing equations.
Developed three indices: Turbulent Coexistence Index (TCI), phase cost (κ'), and stabilization density (ρ).
Applied SCT to three aerial systems: wandering albatross, golden eagle, and Boeing 737 NG.
Analyzed structural positions and orientations of the systems in relation to a theoretical gauge state.
Demonstrated convergence on comparable structural spin index Φ magnitudes among distinct biological and engineered systems.
Identified opposite structural orientations leading to effective locomotion in turbulent fields.

Abstract

Structural Co-inhabitation Theory (SCT): A Complementary Framework to Navier-Stokes for Aerial Locomotion in Turbulent Fields This preprint introduces Structural Co-inhabitation Theory (SCT), a structural framework describing the relationship between locomoting systems and turbulent fluid fields — a layer of description that Navier-Stokes equations, by design, do not address. SCT derives three indices from standard fluid-dynamic parameters: the Turbulent Coexistence Index (TCI), phase cost (κ'), and stabilization density (ρ). Together these define a structural spin index Φ characterizing both the magnitude and directional orientation of a system's structural position relative to a theoretical gauge state of complete co-inhabitation. The framework is applied to three aerial systems — wandering albatross, golden eagle, and Boeing 737 NG — demonstrating that structurally distinct biological and engineered implementations converge on comparable Φ magnitudes through opposite structural orientations. This work is independent research with no institutional affiliation or external funding. Formal peer review submission is planned. Related updates may be available at: patreon.com/NMStructuralTheoryLab

Structural Co-inhabitation Theory

Key Points

Abstract

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