This could be interesting:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS COLLOQUIUM

Tuesday, April 18
2:45-3:45 PM
Room 214 Mudd

Efficiency of flapping flight: birds vs. planes

Jane Wang, Cornell University

Flapping and fixed wing provide two means to fly. Birds and insects have evolved to employ the first method and we have succeeded in using the second. We do not know, however, whether and which one is more efficient. In this talk, I will define and discuss the aerodynamic efficiency of flapping flight both in models and in insect flight. In particular, I will focus on lessons learned from dragonfly flight and free falling paper.