Engineering
Analyzing the Gust Response of a Flexible Solar-Powered Drone Wing
Quick fact
Because the wing is flexible and light, the air loads during a gust cause the wing to bend and twist, creating dynamic stresses that are often higher than what a rigid-wing analysis would predict.
Why this is interesting
A solar-powered drone's wing can flex like a fishing rod in a breeze, yet it must survive turbulent gusts over weeks aloft. How do engineers make sure it won't snap?