1. Scientific context
The internship investigates the biological and physical role of leaf flutter. Some plant leaves oscillate in the wind, but the possible thermal benefits of this motion remain poorly understood.
Role of aeroelastic flutter in the thermal balance of a tree leaf subject to wind
Internship project: Aidan - Bio-Inspired Systems team, Institut des Sciences du Mouvement. Design of a mini wind tunnel and an experimental protocol to study the influence of flutter on leaf heat transfer.
Internship project: Aidan
Supervisor: Loïc TADRIST
Team: Bio-Inspired Systems (SBI)
Laboratory: Institut des Sciences du Mouvement (ISM)
Topics: aeroelastic flutter, heat transfer, biomimetic leaves and low-speed wind tunnel
What role can leaf flutter play in thermal balance when a leaf is exposed to wind?
The project aims to study and model heat exchange around a leaf submitted to airflow. It combines a mini wind tunnel, biomimetic leaves and a future experimental and numerical protocol.
Supervisor: Loïc TADRIST
Team: Bio-Inspired Systems (SBI)
Laboratory: Institut des Sciences du Mouvement (ISM)
Topics: aeroelastic flutter, heat transfer, biomimetic leaves and low-speed wind tunnel
What role can leaf flutter play in thermal balance when a leaf is exposed to wind?
The project aims to study and model heat exchange around a leaf submitted to airflow. It combines a mini wind tunnel, biomimetic leaves and a future experimental and numerical protocol.
2. Project objectives
The work is organized around several axes: literature review, flutter onset criteria, the energy balance of a leaf, the design of a low-speed wind tunnel, aerodynamic characterization and the preparation of biomimetic leaf experiments.
Overview of the mini wind tunnel
Low-speed wind-tunnel prototype developed for table-top experiments. It imposes a controlled airflow around a leaf before thermal and aerodynamic measurements.
Experimental architecture
Principle diagram of the experimental setup with collector, convergent, test section, Pitot tube, differential pressure sensor, IR camera, thermocouple, heating mat and Raspberry Pi Pico.
CAD design of the structure
CAD model of the wind tunnel used to define the frame, airflow path and test section.
3. Device developed
The wind tunnel is compact, horizontal and designed for low-speed table-top testing. It was built using nine reused computer fans and must be characterized before detailed tests on biomimetic leaves.
Perspective view of the wind tunnel
Additional view showing the convergent, test section and rear part of the wind tunnel.
4. Experimental perspectives
After aerodynamic characterization, the system can be used to test biomimetic leaves and quantify how flutter influences convective heat transfer.
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