Bio-Inspired Morphing Plasma-Actuated Wings for Extreme-Environment Flight

Abstract

This study experimentally validates a bio-inspired morphing wing integrated with spanwise DBD plasma actuators for extreme-environment flight. While bio-morphing provides compliant aerodynamic adaptability, plasma actuation enables non-mechanical boundary-layer momentum control. The objective is to quantify aerodynamic, electrical, and structural-thermal performance of the hybrid wing without external moving flaps. A carbon-fiber segmented morphing wing with polymer compliant skin and embedded SMA tendons was fabricated, followed by DBD electrode integration on high-temperature dielectric (Kapton/ceramic). Coupled tests were performed in a subsonic wind tunnel and thermal-chamber loop. Lift (Cₗ), drag (C????), plasma-momentum index, streamline turning, Von Mises stress (σᵥₘ), and temperature (T) were measured using force balance, Schlieren imaging, IR thermal profiling, and strain gauges. Results show strong plasma-morphing synergy: Cₗ increased from ~1.1 (9.5 kV) to ~1.4 (14 kV), ~27% gain, while C???? dropped from ~7.5 to ~1.2 (>80% reduction), indicating significant flow re-attachment at high camber curvature. Plasma delivered +2.57 normalized momentum injection and ~5° localized streamline deflection, proving active flow authority beyond separation delay. Structural-thermal response remained predictable up to 1.2 morphing input, reaching σᵥₘ ≈ 0.75 at ~170°C, with Δσᵥₘ ≈ 0.25–0.30 per major morphing step, without electrical breakdown or electrode delamination. The findings confirm that hybrid plasma-assisted morphing wings provide scalable lift, suppressed drag, localized steering, and material robustness, establishing feasibility for extreme-environment and planetary aircraft, and a new benchmark for intelligent adaptive wings.