Morphological Characteristics of Diptera Wings and Development of Micro Wind Energy Converter Using Insect Wings

Abstract

The present paper is concerned with the development of novel type of micro wind energy converter using insect wings. A series of experimental studies were conducted on the function of wing apparatus of flying insects. In the first place, the structural properties of insect wings were studied through measurements of certain morphological parameters. The scanning electron microscopic observation showed the morphological characteristics of a fly wing. In the second place, the novel type of micro wind energy converter was proposed and constructed. The energy converter is composed of the permanent magnet, magnetic fluid, coil, and insect wings. The micro energy converter may convert the air flow energy into electric energy. In the third place, the power generation characteristics of the micro wind energy converter using fly wings were examined based on the research of insect wing morphology. It was found that the micro wind energy converter shows higher output voltage.