Low Reynolds Number Passive Boundary Layer Heating for Drag Reduction

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Small UAS are range and endurance constrained due to sizing issues and energy storage density limitations. The goal is to increase the range and endurance through selection of wing colors to reduce drag.

Benefits

The innovation is to use biologically inspired wing colors in order to passively heat the boundary layer of small UAS. This will result in a drag reduction resulting in increased range and endurance for low Reynolds number vehicles.

Details

Technology area	Flight Vehicle Systems
Program	Center Innovation Fund: AFRC CIF (AFRC CIF)
Lead organization	Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

David E Berger — dave.e.berger@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.