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Airplane Coatings Help Recoup Fuel Efficiency Lost To Bug Splatter

Posted by samzenpus on from the and-stay-off dept.

MTorrice writes: When bugs hit the wings of oncoming airplanes, they create a problem. Their blood, called hemolymph, sticks to an airplane's wings, disrupting the smooth airflow over them and reducing the aircraft's fuel efficiency. To fight the problem, NASA is working on developing a coating that could help aircraft repel bug remains during flight. After experimenting with almost 200 different formulations, researchers recently flight-tested a few promising candidates. Results showed that they could reduce the amount of stuck bug guts on the wings by up to 40%. With further optimization, NASA says such coatings could allow planes to use 5% less fuel.

2 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Pneumatic bug launcher for the win! by ravenscar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    First of all - where do I pick up one of these guns:
    "To test these materials in the lab, researchers developed a pneumatic launcher to fire living bugs at a sample coating. They first used crickets as ammunition, but a physicist colleague urged them to switch to fruit flies, which would be more representative of what planes hit during takeoff and landing."

    Second - I hope they develop a clear coating as I would like it on my motorcycle visor.

    1. Re:Pneumatic bug launcher for the win! by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Lemon Pledge. No seriously. The high dollar aircraft windshield treatment for bugs and water called Plexus is nothing more than Pledge wax with no scent.

      Lemon pledge is used heavily by high mileage motorcyclists for years.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.