Biomimetic Wings for Micro Air Vehicles.

In this work, micro air vehicles (MAVs) equipped with bio-inspired wings are investigated experimentally in wind tunnel. The starting point is that insects such as dragonflies, butterflies and locusts have wings with rigid tubular elements (corrugation) connected by flexible parts (profiling). So far, it is important to understand the specific aerodynamic effects of corrugation and profiling as applied to conventional wings for the optimization of low-Reynolds-number aerodynamics.

Experimental investigations on the fluid-mechanics of an electrospun heart valve by means of particle image velocimetry.

End-stage failing heart valves are currently replaced by mechanical or biological prostheses. Both types positively contribute to restore the physiological function of native valves, but a number of drawbacks limits the expected performances. In order to improve the outcome, tissue engineering can offer an alternative approach to design and fabricate innovative heart valves capable to support the requested function and to promote the formation of a novel, viable and correctly operating physiological structure.