To delve deeper into the mechanics of owl flight, the research team created two 3D wing models, one with microbachrome and one with microbachrome. Using a combination of large eddy simulation techniques and the Fox-Williams-Hawking (computational acoustics) model, they modeled fluid flows to mimic real-world flight conditions. The study focused on the flight planning speed of real owls.

The results showed microbakroma effectively reduces blade noiseEspecially at high angles of attack, without sacrificing aerodynamic performance compared to wings that do not have this feature. The research team discovered two complementary mechanisms by which microbachrome affects air flow.

• FirstMicro-edge strips reduce airflow fluctuations by breaking up vortices at the trailing edge of the wing.
• SecondThey further prevent vortex formation by minimizing interaction between feathers at the edge of the wing. The synergy of these mechanisms improves aerodynamic properties and reduces noise.

Microbachrome at the tip of an owl’s wings makes its flight silent / Photo: Hao Liu / CHIBA University

What does it give us in practice?

The implications of this discovery go beyond ornithology. The study suggests that similar strips could be used to reduce noise in a variety of man-made structures. drones, windmills, propellers and even flying cars.

The researchers believe that a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could pave the way for the development of methods to reduce noise in fluid-driven equipment.

The discovery could have practical implications for industry dealing with noise pollution. The research also paves the way for innovation and practical application in various fields. Owls’ silent flight could inspire technological progress and make drones less visible on the battlefield.