null
1-855-215-2914
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
loginLogin
Cart Cart

Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Contact Us
    • Credit App
    • Quote Request
    • Shipping Info
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Products
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • FAQ
  • RESOURCES
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Email Sign-up
  • login
    Login
  • cart
    Cart
    • Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
        • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
        • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Turbine Oil
      • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
      • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
      • Aviation Greases
    • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
        • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
        • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
        • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
        • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
        • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
        • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
      • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
      • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
        • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
        • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
        • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Lubricant Accessories
    • Shop By Brand
      • AeroShell
      • BlueSky Lubricants
      • Mobil
      • Phillips 66 Aviation
    • About Us
      • Our Products
      • About Us
      • Mission
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Online Sales
      • Online Shopping Security
      • Terms Of Use
    • Resources
      • Videos
      • Articles
      • Email Sign-up
      • Bookmark Our Site
      • Get Our Free Web App
      • Site Map
    • Customer Service
      • Customer Service
      • Return Policy
      • Contact Us
      • Credit App
      • Quote Request
      • Shipping Info
      • FAQ
      • Paypal Resource Page
    • Login Create an Account


    1-855-215-2914
    The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
    Back to Blog Homepage
    The mesmerizing flight patterns of maple seeds have inspired a drone prototype

    The mesmerizing flight patterns of maple seeds have inspired a drone prototype

    By Jordan Ramirez on Sep 6th 2016

    When we were kids, everything was fun. What happened?


    Enjoying the simple things is a luxury not many of us "adults" can afford, most times. We fill our lives with careers, meetings, cell phones, bills, exercise, cooking, cleaning, 'The Voice' re-runs, etc. You know, all the boring stuff.

    For a second we'd like you to re-assume your childlike sensibilities. Mute your phone, get away from your desk, and leave the dishes in the sink. Your job is to find the nearest maple tree. There should be one close by-there are at least 128 species of maple trees and the majority of the continental United States is host to several of said species.

    Millions of maple seeds across the United States are falling right at this moment. Some journey further from the tree than others, but they all eventually make their graceful descent to the forest floor. You had likely taken closer notice of this phenomenon when you were a child-in fact, if you remember that day, your mind was probably blown. "They are just like little helicopters!" you almost-definitely said.

    More closely related to the flight patterns of hummingbirds, bats, and many insects, the humble maple seed is arguably the most graceful flier in nature-albeit one without a beating heart.

    For many years, the science behind the maple seed's flight was pretty misleading. Like most adults, the scientists more-or-less took it for granted-until now. Researchers at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands built tiny synthetic stand-ins for maple seeds, and observed their swirling movement through controlled testing. Instead of dropping them through air, the scientists spun them through a tank of mineral oil using a robotic mechanism.

    The researchers discovered that a maple seed "generates a tornado-like vortex that sits atop the front leading edge as the 'helicopter' spins slowly to the ground. This leading edge vortex lowers the air pressure over the upper surface of the maple seed, effectively sucking the wing upward to oppose gravity."

    Pretty cool stuff. In fact, the unique flight patterns of the maple seed are being studied for much more than their intrigue.

    Researchers at Lockheed Martin designed a so-called Samarai (no, it's not misspelled) drone. Instead of having the usual three or four blades commonly employed in drones, the samurai is designed with only one blade that counterbalances the weight of the drone while in flight. Researchers hope that one day they can design the same technology on a much, much smaller scale to aid the US military on the battlefield; they hope one day a miniature version of the Samarai can survey an entire battlefield or building unnoticed. You'll have to see it to believe it:


    Unfortunately, these likely will come at a higher price than you would care to pay. But why should you? You're already outside, next to the maple tree, right?

    You've already got a "treeful" of brilliant aerospace engineering right at your fingertips.


    SOURCES


    http://www.livescience.com/3672-secret-flight-helicopter-seeds.html

    http://www.livescience.com/21476-spy-drone-maple-seed.html

    • #Aviation News
    • #Technology
    • #drone technology
    • #drones military
    • #drones used in military
    • #drones used on battlefield
    • #falling helicopter seeds
    • #falling seeds
    • #helicopter seed flying
    • #helicopter seeds
    • #maple seeds flying
    • #maple seeds helicopters
    • #new drones
    • #seed helicopt

    You might also be interested in:


    Newsletter | January 2023
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jan 12th 2023

    Do You Use Our FREE Web App? Now you can save our website as an app on your
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | November 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Nov 22nd 2022

    Other Smoke Oils Pail in Comparison to Bluesky Bluesky White Lightning Smok
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | October 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Oct 28th 2022

    Shop One of Our Most Popular Products - In Stock While Supplies Last One of
    monthly newsletter
    !

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

    aoo logo
    Aviation Oil Outlet
    454 South Main Street
    Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
    United States of America

    1-855-215-2914

    E-mail:
    sales@aviationoiloutlet.com

    Follow us on Social:

    Customer Service

    • Contact
    • Credit Application
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Quote Request
    • Returns
    • Shipping Information
    • Sitemap

    Resources

    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Brands
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Online Shopping Security
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
    • Terms of Use
    • Video Library

    Account

    • Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Order History

    © 2023 Aviation Oil Outlet

    payment method icons Bizrate
    ​