Advanced Direct Contactless Microfabrication of Drag- reducing Riblets: Rapid Prototyping, Robotic Scale-up and Materials Development

摘要

Advanced Direct Contactless Microfabrication (DCM) technology allowing for the manufacture of drag-reducing riblet microstructures in the form of riblet film and direct-to-surface riblet application is discussed. A rapid iteration capability is demonstrated with two-and three- dimensional riblet geometries to optimize for drag reduction performance. A DCM robotic integration design and de-risking effort is undertaken for scaling up the direct application of riblets to transport aircraft. Further materials and surface property developments of riblets fabricated with the DCM process are also described including superhydrophobic self-cleaning riblets, adaptive visual camouflage properties for unmanned air vehicle (UAV) applications and a demonstration of reduction in trailing edge noise.