Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DANDIDRONE (A dandelion-inspired drone for swarm sensing)
Période du rapport: 2023-02-01 au 2024-07-31
Distributed sensor network systems are swarms of small flying sensors that can measure how temperature, pressure, etc. vary over time and space within the volume spanned by the swarm. How the swarm is transported by the wind, and the position of the different sensors within the swarm, also provide information on the flow velocity, gusts, etc. When equipped with cameras, sensors of electromagnetic fields, etc., they can observe and recognise targets on land and sea. The largest sensors (e.g. 10 cm) have some level of autonomy like small drones, whilst the smallest sensors (e.g. 1 mm) are dropped from altitude and gather information while falling. In both cases, the ability to remain airborne for a long period of time is critical to collect more data and avoid the need to be redeployed from altitude. The aim of this proposal is to discover how wind gust energy can be exploited to keep these sensors afloat.
The strength of these passively flying sensors is their ability to provide low-cost sensor coverage and reporting. Their delivery mechanism is part of its sensing capability, providing insights into the environment that cannot be detected by conventional sensors due to their carriage on conventional large-scale platforms. The ability to monitor in real time the environment within kilometres around us is opening up tremendous opportunities. Flying sensors are routinely used to monitor environmental conditions (wind, temperature, etc.) and air quality (pollutants, airborne virus, radiation, etc.), but also air traffic near airports, the movements of bird flocks near wind turbines, animal migrations, the patrol of remote areas (poaching control, sea patrol, etc.), to monitor ground vehicles and redirect traffics in case of congestions, etc. These sensors will contribute to addressing the fast-growing need for real-time information, which is set to dramatically increase in this new decade driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) and its inherent need for monitoring, measuring, inferring and understanding environmental indicators.
The main aim of this project is to unveil a wind gust energy scavenging mechanism that will enable small flyers (1-mm to 10-cm scale) to remain airborne for as long as the wind blows, enabling a step increase in the endurance of distributed sensor network systems. This aim is completely novel, high risk and high gain, and will address a critical industrial need with new fundamental science.
The second aim of this project is to develop a steering system for the proposed sensor platform. This aim has moderate risks because, while a high level of control is challenging to achieve, the spatial distribution of the swarm can be significantly modified by enabling only a small fraction of the mean wind velocity.
The third aim is to demonstrate the fluid mechanics findings of the previous two aims by physical testing of a prototype. This demonstration will underpin the development of a new class of sensing network systems translating into impact the fundamental fluid mechanics research undertaken in this project.
The strength of these passively flying sensors is their ability to provide low-cost sensor coverage and reporting. Their delivery mechanism is part of its sensing capability, providing insights into the environment that cannot be detected by conventional sensors due to their carriage on conventional large-scale platforms. The ability to monitor in real time the environment within kilometres around us is opening up tremendous opportunities. Flying sensors are routinely used to monitor environmental conditions (wind, temperature, etc.) and air quality (pollutants, airborne virus, radiation, etc.), but also air traffic near airports, the movements of bird flocks near wind turbines, animal migrations, the patrol of remote areas (poaching control, sea patrol, etc.), to monitor ground vehicles and redirect traffics in case of congestions, etc. These sensors will contribute to addressing the fast-growing need for real-time information, which is set to dramatically increase in this new decade driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) and its inherent need for monitoring, measuring, inferring and understanding environmental indicators.
The main aim of this project is to unveil a wind gust energy scavenging mechanism that will enable small flyers (1-mm to 10-cm scale) to remain airborne for as long as the wind blows, enabling a step increase in the endurance of distributed sensor network systems. This aim is completely novel, high risk and high gain, and will address a critical industrial need with new fundamental science.
The second aim of this project is to develop a steering system for the proposed sensor platform. This aim has moderate risks because, while a high level of control is challenging to achieve, the spatial distribution of the swarm can be significantly modified by enabling only a small fraction of the mean wind velocity.
The third aim is to demonstrate the fluid mechanics findings of the previous two aims by physical testing of a prototype. This demonstration will underpin the development of a new class of sensing network systems translating into impact the fundamental fluid mechanics research undertaken in this project.
The research programme is organised in six Work Packages (WP).
WP1 – Aerodynamics of Porous Wings. We developed a novel methodology to model permeable bodies within the OpenFOAM framework and we characterised the aerodynamics of permeable and impervious two-dimensional plates and three-dimensional disks while steadily translating in quiescent flow at various angles of incidence.
WP 2 – Energy Scavenging. We have been working on extending the methodology developed in WP1 to model free-falling permeable bodies experiencing horizontal gusts. The methodology for impervious bodies is completed and allowed revealing the energy scavenging mechanisms experienced by free falling impervious bodies when they encounter a horizontal gust.
WP 3 – Steering System. Steerable dandidrones have been developed and tested in the vertical wind tunnel by shining a light beam.
WP 4 –Manufacturing. Informed by WPs 1-3, a range of prototypes have been manufactured and tested in the vertical wind tunnel, including biodegradable dandidrones that fall slower than the dandelion seed.
WP 5 – Demonstration. The energy scavenging mechanism of free falling bodies responding to horizontal gusts have been demonstrated for the first time in the bespoke vertical wind tunnel.
WP 6 – Translation and Impact. A collaboration with Prof. Desmulliez at Heriot-Watt University on the manufacturing of fully functional dandidrones has been established through a joint PhD student, who developed and tested the first biodegradable dandidrone in the wind tunnel. A collaboration with Prof. Zeng at the University of Tempere led to the demonstration of the smallest controllable dandidrone in the vertical wind tunnel.
WP1 – Aerodynamics of Porous Wings. We developed a novel methodology to model permeable bodies within the OpenFOAM framework and we characterised the aerodynamics of permeable and impervious two-dimensional plates and three-dimensional disks while steadily translating in quiescent flow at various angles of incidence.
WP 2 – Energy Scavenging. We have been working on extending the methodology developed in WP1 to model free-falling permeable bodies experiencing horizontal gusts. The methodology for impervious bodies is completed and allowed revealing the energy scavenging mechanisms experienced by free falling impervious bodies when they encounter a horizontal gust.
WP 3 – Steering System. Steerable dandidrones have been developed and tested in the vertical wind tunnel by shining a light beam.
WP 4 –Manufacturing. Informed by WPs 1-3, a range of prototypes have been manufactured and tested in the vertical wind tunnel, including biodegradable dandidrones that fall slower than the dandelion seed.
WP 5 – Demonstration. The energy scavenging mechanism of free falling bodies responding to horizontal gusts have been demonstrated for the first time in the bespoke vertical wind tunnel.
WP 6 – Translation and Impact. A collaboration with Prof. Desmulliez at Heriot-Watt University on the manufacturing of fully functional dandidrones has been established through a joint PhD student, who developed and tested the first biodegradable dandidrone in the wind tunnel. A collaboration with Prof. Zeng at the University of Tempere led to the demonstration of the smallest controllable dandidrone in the vertical wind tunnel.
WP1 – This WP allowed the development of new methodologies to model numerically permeable bodies. The implementation of these methodologies into numerical codes allowed the first characterisation of the aerodynamics of permeable and impervious two-dimensional plates and three-dimensional disks while steadily translating in quiescent flow at various angles of incidence. Future work within this WP focuses on the publication of the results.
WP 2 – This study revealed a novel mechanism for passive hovering that will underpin the design of dandidrones. Publications are currently being prepared. Future work within this WP will extend the methodologies developed in WP1 to free-falling permeable bodies.
WP 3 – The smallest controllable dandidrone has been developed and tested in the vertical wind tunnel. By shining the dandidrone with a laser beam, the dandidrone is steered in any desirable direction. Flow visualisation is currently ongoing to support publications of the results. Further research aims to develop steering systems that do not rely on externally provided illumination.
WP 4 – The first fully biodegradable dandidrones with a terminal velocity slower than the dandelion has been demonstrated in the vertical wind tunnel. Further prototypes will have functional sensing capabilities and will be optimised for wind energy scavenging and thus endurance.
WP 5 – This WP aim to demonstrate and quantify the endurance and steerability of the dandidrone through physical experiments based on the prototypes manufactured in WP4. The kinematics of bodies responding to horizontal gusts have been measured for the first time in the bespoke vertical wind tunnel. Further research aims to demonstrate the endurance of future dandidrones, including in fully turbulent conditions.
WP 6 – This WP aims to underpin long-term ambitious projects with solid preliminary data and by strengthening key collaborations with specialists and industrial stakeholders. Main achievements so far include the establishment of collaborations with Prof. Desmulliez at Heriot-Watt University, Prof. Zeng at the University of Tempere, Prof. Murphy at the University of South Florida. Further work includes the establishment of a network of industrial stakeholders and the preparation of bold ambitious proposals for the further development of dandidrone technology.
WP 2 – This study revealed a novel mechanism for passive hovering that will underpin the design of dandidrones. Publications are currently being prepared. Future work within this WP will extend the methodologies developed in WP1 to free-falling permeable bodies.
WP 3 – The smallest controllable dandidrone has been developed and tested in the vertical wind tunnel. By shining the dandidrone with a laser beam, the dandidrone is steered in any desirable direction. Flow visualisation is currently ongoing to support publications of the results. Further research aims to develop steering systems that do not rely on externally provided illumination.
WP 4 – The first fully biodegradable dandidrones with a terminal velocity slower than the dandelion has been demonstrated in the vertical wind tunnel. Further prototypes will have functional sensing capabilities and will be optimised for wind energy scavenging and thus endurance.
WP 5 – This WP aim to demonstrate and quantify the endurance and steerability of the dandidrone through physical experiments based on the prototypes manufactured in WP4. The kinematics of bodies responding to horizontal gusts have been measured for the first time in the bespoke vertical wind tunnel. Further research aims to demonstrate the endurance of future dandidrones, including in fully turbulent conditions.
WP 6 – This WP aims to underpin long-term ambitious projects with solid preliminary data and by strengthening key collaborations with specialists and industrial stakeholders. Main achievements so far include the establishment of collaborations with Prof. Desmulliez at Heriot-Watt University, Prof. Zeng at the University of Tempere, Prof. Murphy at the University of South Florida. Further work includes the establishment of a network of industrial stakeholders and the preparation of bold ambitious proposals for the further development of dandidrone technology.