Shape memory alloy based morphing wing on small-scale ground vehicle

Research and/or Engineering Questions/Objective Aerodynamic forces affect vehicle performance by influencing the loads on the tires. These forces depend significantly on the vehicle’s external shape. Typically, wings are mounted on vehicles to enhance the aerodynamic effects on the car by improving its performance with increased cornering speed and shorter braking distance while minimizing any increase in the vehicle’s weight. In this study, soft morphing wings, which form seamless bendable and twistable trailing edge, were presented for realizing the modification of the wing shape to produce higher aerodynamic performance.