Georgia Tech researchers have developed a new active flow control (AFC) technology which exploits controlled aerodynamic flow-structure interactions to manipulate aerodynamic load distributions on flight and ground platforms.  In addition to enhancing aerodynamic maneuvers, such control can also alter the effective properties of the platform structure to mitigate or completely avoid the adverse effects of aero-elastic instabilities.  A key element of the technology is that the interactions between the aero-structures and the air flow over them and therefore the flow-effected aerodynamic loads, are regulated by distributed air bleed.  The bleed actuation is driven through the aerodynamic surfaces by inherent pressure differences owing to the air flow (e.g. across aircraft wings).  The system involves the incorporation of passages through the surface (i.e. pores), which are activated or deactivated in real-time using low-power, surface-integrated louver actuators. 

The investigations at Georgia Tech demonstrated that the interaction between controlled bleed and the cross flow over lifting surfaces can be tailored to alter its apparent aerodynamic shape and thus the aerodynamic loads over a broad range of wind conditions.  Because the bleed is driven by the air motion it is inherently low-power, robust, low-weight, and easily integrable, and obviates the need for complex mechanical or electromechanical control surfaces that suffer from significant limitations in terms of power, weight and complexity.