Aerodynamics with state-of-the-art bioinspired technology: Tubercles of humpback whale

Abstract

Bioinspired aerodynamics is an emerging subject in the design of advanced flight vehicles with superior performance and minimum fuel consumption. In the present review article, a comprehensive evaluation is focused on previous studies and investigations toward the performance enhancement of aerodynamic surfaces with leading-edge (LE) tubercles. The implementation of tubercles has been biologically imitated from humpback whale (HW) flippers. Particularly, aerodynamicists are much interested in this bioinspired technology because of the exclusive maneuvering and flow control potential of HW flippers. LE protuberances are considered as a passive flow control method to improve the aerodynamic performance in various applications like aviation, marine, and wind energy. The aerodynamic and hydrodynamic performance variations caused by specific tubercles amplitude and wavelength are also compared through numerical and wind tunnel testing. The prospective utilization of tubercles on boundary layer flow control is measured with regard to conventional and swept-back wing designs. Flow control mechanisms of tubercles are outlined with several interesting facts in addition to the outcomes of various bioinspired aerodynamic investigations in the recent years.