Science Daily June 26, 2019
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated a sustained untethered flight of an insect-sized 90-milligram flapping-wing microscale aerial vehicle. It uses four wings driven by two alumina-reinforced piezoelectric actuators to increase aerodynamic efficiency and achieve a peak lift-to-weight ratio of 4.1 to 1. The integrated system weighs 259 milligrams, with an additional payload capacity allowing for additional onboard devices. Consuming only 110–120 milliwatts of power, the system matches the thrust efficiency of similarly sized insects such as bees…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ