Flexible aerodynamic surfaces have been shown to favorably influence flight characteristics at low Reynolds numbers by increasing lift, angle of attack at stall, and resistance to perturbation. The objective of the research presented within this thesis is to investigate the influence of two aspects of flight observed in biological flyers,...
The aerodynamic performance of an oscillating pitching and plunging foil operating in the energy harvesting mode is investigated. Experiments are conducted in a closed-loop recirculating wind tunnel at Reynolds numbers of 24,000 to 48,000, and reduced frequencies (k = fc/u) of 0.042 to 0.083. Foil kinematics are varied through the...