Dynamic coupling of wing mechanics and aerodynamics in Dipteran-inspired flapping wing systems.

This article focuses on a numerical investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a Dipteran-inspired flapping flight system at low Reynolds number, aiming to inform the design and control of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs). The study employs a forced Duffing oscillator model coupled with an immersed boundary method-based Navier–Stokes solver to capture fluid–structure interactions (FSI) including viscous effects, which are critical at insect scales. By varying the muscle actuation amplitude as a bifurcation parameter, the system exhibits a progression of dynamical states—from periodic and quasi-periodic motions to transient chaos, intermittency, and sustained chaos—each associated with distinct vortex wake patterns and flow-field behaviors. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating viscous FSI in modeling to understand complex flapping wing dynamics and to enhance MAV stability and maneuverability in bio-inspired flight systems.