Corrugated airfoils for enhanced low-speed aerodynamics: A bio-inspired review

Inspired by dragonfly wings, corrugated airfoils offer promising solutions for low-speed aviation and marine applications. These airfoils provide passive flow control, enhancing lift, delaying stall, and reducing drag at low Reynolds numbers, which is not achievable by traditional smooth airfoils. The review synthesizes findings from experimental and computational studies, examining the influence of Reynolds number and boundary conditions on corrugated airfoil performance. The corrugation-generated vortices stabilize flow, minimizing separation and turbulence. Applications in aviation, marine engineering, and renewable energy are discussed, emphasizing the potential of corrugated airfoils to revolutionize efficiency and control. By addressing existing limitations and proposing future research directions, this review highlights the significance of biomimicry in developing advanced fluid dynamic systems for transport, surveillance, and energy. While manufacturing complexities and computational costs remain challenges, this review bridges biological and engineering design, fostering sustainable and efficient aerodynamics and technological advancements.