Flying snakes undulate for longer air times

Lift and wakes of flying snakes

REGULATION: Cleaner Air, Longer Life

Nanotechnology, the engineering of func­ tional materials at an atomic or molecular scale, has been among the fastest growing fields of science and technology. Worldwide sales of products incorporating nanotechnolo­ gy are projected to total $2.6 trillion by 2014, according to a 2004 report from Lux Research titled Sizing Nanotechnology’s Value Chain. But with the increasing use of nano materia...

Flying snakes: Aerodynamics of body cross-sectional shape

Chrysopelea paradisi, also known as the flying snake, possesses one of the most unique forms of aerial locomotion found in nature, using its entire body as a dynamic lifting surface without the use of wings or membranes. Unlike other airborne creatures, this species lacks appendages to aid in controlling its flight trajectory and producing lift. The snake exhibits exception gliding and maneuver...

Amblyopic eyes have longer reaction times.

The RT (reaction time) to a 0.25 degree spot of light was measured monocularly on 25 normal subjects and 36 strabismic patients. The overall mean RT and the delta RT (difference in RT between the right and left eyes) for the 19 strabismic patients without amblyopia did not differ significantly from that of the normal subjects. The overall mean RT of the dominant eyes of the 17 amblyopic patient...

Flying Insect Inspired Vision for Micro-Air-Vehicle Navigation

More often homeland security, disaster mitigation and military operations are performed in urban environments. Time consuming, labor intensive and possibly dangerous tasks like bomb detection, search-and-rescue and reconnaissance done with robots could save resources. An aerial robot capable of flying in closed quarters like warehouses, stadiums, underground parking lots and tunnels is featured...