Could Aerodynamics In Aircraft Be Boosted With A Bird-Like Design?

In the United States alone, air carriers use 20 billion gallons of jet fuel and create 3% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Engineers at USC are creating new plane designs and alternative energy sources for engines that could cut back on fuel usage.

For a long time, we’ve been wondering about the basics of aircraft design,” Spedding said. “Is it at an optimum? How do we know an optimum even exists? And if it’s not at an optimum, why not? And if it is, has that ever been demonstrated?[1]

The engineers weighed the pros and cons of 3 designs.

First, the current aircraft design, deemed not the most optimal due to the drag the tail causes. Secondly, a blended wing design which has structural flaws. Finally, a bird-like design, which scientists think might be the future of aircraft design, possibly increasing aerodynamic efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

We have a dedicated fuselage with a shape designed for low-drag-per-unit volume, and it’s not compromised by the wing at all, which in turn is not compromised by trying to fit in with the body,” Spedding said.

If an optimum exists, then we assert that this is the most likely candidate.”

To read the full article, click here.

 

[1]http://news.usc.edu/136946/usc-viterbi-engineers-consider-redesigned-fuel-efficient-airplanes/

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Emergency department
How Predictive AI Is Helping Hospitals Anticipate Admissions and Optimize Emergency Department Throughput
December 24, 2025

Emergency departments across the U.S. are under unprecedented strain, with overcrowding, staffing shortages, and inpatient bed constraints converging into a throughput crisis. The American Hospital Association reports that hospital capacity and workforce growth have lagged, intensifying delays from arrival to disposition. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence are moving from experimental to operational—raising…

Read More
Mission
Why Is the Mission of Benchmark So Important
December 23, 2025

As pharmaceutical innovation accelerates, the margin for error narrows, making quality assurance not just a regulatory necessity but a public good. Benchmark’s mission sits at the intersection of progress and protection—helping manufacturers stay aligned with FDA standards so life-saving therapies reach patients faster and safer. By keeping cleanrooms compliant and companies out of trouble, Benchmark…

Read More
Benchmark
What Is It Like for You to Be Part of the Benchmark Products Teams Now
December 23, 2025

Being part of the Benchmark Products team today means working at the intersection of precision manufacturing and deeply human collaboration, especially in the high-stakes world of cleanroom and sterility assurance solutions. As the organization grows, employees describe a culture that still feels familial—one where clear communication, personal accountability, and genuine care for customers drive…

Read More
Cleaning
Do Your Friends Ever Ask You For Cleaning Tips
December 23, 2025

In a media landscape increasingly shaped by privacy constraints, data clean rooms have emerged as a quiet but powerful way for brands to collaborate without exposing sensitive information, even if, as Will Sepsis quips, some partners would still prefer that “ignorance is bliss.” That tension—between curiosity and caution—captures the moment we’re in, where understanding…

Read More