Electrostatic adhesion mitigates aerodynamic losses from gap formations in feathered wings

Abstract Birds morph the shape of their wings during flight to achieve impressive maneuverability and adapt to dynamic environments, such as cities and forests. Engineers have explored using avian-inspired designs with feather-based wing morphing to achieve similar capabilities with small uncrewed aircraft. However, engineered feather designs haven’t incorporated the microscopic structural features that prevent feather separation for natural fliers within dynamic airflows and during wing shape changes. Without a fastening mechanism, gaps can form throughout the wing’s surface that impair maneuverability and shorten flight range. Here we show how electrostatic feather fastening adapts aerodynamic force generation to improve maneuverability and efficiency. Further, the electrostatically adhered feathers offered a preferable relationship with velocity, improving on passive feather aerodynamics and often generating responses comparable or favorable to the baseline engineered wing at higher flow speeds. As small aircraft are expected to fly faster, further, and with advanced aerobatic capability, feathered morphing wings incorporating electrostatic adhesion will advance aircraft adaptability for successful operation in complex environments.