Bioinspired Rotor Design Based on Dipterocarpaceae Seeds Using Aerodynamic Optimizations

The seeds of Dipterocarpaceae trees, known as samaras, possess wing-like structures that generate autorotation during descent, reducing terminal speed and enabling wide dispersal. In this study, the optimal geometric characteristics of samara-inspired wings were investigated using aerodynamic optimization based on the Quasi-Minimum Induced Loss (QMIL) method combined with a genetic algorithm (GA). The optimization targeted maximum thrust generation with minimal energy loss while considering the specific weight of the prototype. The resulting blade geometry closely resembled the natural wing shapes of Dipterocarpaceae samaras, suggesting that their wing geometry achieves maximum thrust and minimum descent speed, thereby indicating the aerodynamic optimality for efficient passive flight and confirming its suitability as a blade design for autorotating flying vehicles.