ArticleMicrosystems & nanoengineering2026
Insect-scale flapping-wing MAVs with variable transmission ratio and wingspan: achieving payload adaptability, and self-stabilizing hovering.
Article in Microsystems & nanoengineering, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Bridging Biology and Engineering: Unsteady Aerodynamics and Biomimetic Design of Micro Air Vehicles.Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Design and Modeling of Piezoelectric Nanofilm Actuators for Low-Voltage Powered Microrobots.Micromachines · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles (FWMAVs) possess compact dimensions, exceptional terrain adaptability, and operational stealth, presenting transformative potential for reconnaissance and environmental monitoring applications. However, current insect-scale FWMAVs typically suffer from limited payload capacity, making integrating the necessary electronic components for flight and functionality challenging. This study presents an enhanced structural design for an FWMAV that increases its payload capacity. By adjusting its transmission ratio and wingspan, the size and carrying capacity of the robot can be changed according to the demand. Based on this novel design, we manufactured FWMAVs with a variable wingspan ranging from 28 mm to 45 mm, the robots achieve a lift-to-weight ratio exceeding 2. This represents the insect-scale piezoelectric-driven FWMAV capable of successful takeoff by adjusting only the transmission ratio and wingspan, without altering other components. Notably, the 28 mm configuration is the smallest functional piezoelectric-decoupled FWMAV to achieve sustained lift-off. Additionally, the combined passive damper structure has allowed the robot to maintain stable hover for more than 5 seconds, achieving sustained air stagnation at an insect scale. These advancements provide certain technical support for further promoting the practical application of insect-scale MAVs.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.