New Aircraft Wing Coating Reduces Bug Gut Accumulation

Jun-02-15 Once again taking inspiration from the lotus leaf, researchers have developed an airplane wing coating that will resist sticky bug-bits, reducing drag and saving fuel.

Preventing the accumulation of bug guts on airplane wings has presented a challenge for some time, and in order to create the coating, the team had to first unravel some secrets of bug chemistry. They learned that bug blood actually undergoes a chemical change when the bug strikes something and ruptures its body—a change that makes the blood stickier.

The team then turned to the lotus leaf, known for its rough, pointy features that keep water from sticking to it. By combining the lotus leaf construction idea with chemistry, the team developed more than 200 coatings in different situations. The finalists were narrowed down and tested, with the most promising candidates showing a 40 percent reduction in accumulated bug goo.

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[ENGADGET.COM]
[NASA.GOV]

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