Open AccessThe aerodynamic force platform as an ergometer
Author(s) -
Marc E. Deetjen,
Diana D. Chin,
David Lentink
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of experimental biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.367
H-Index - 185
eISSN - 1477-9145
pISSN - 0022-0949
DOI - 10.1242/jeb.220475
Subject(s) - aerodynamics , aerodynamic force , kinematics , wake , wing , computer science , flapping , power (physics) , bird flight , work (physics) , simulation , aerospace engineering , mechanics , control theory (sociology) , physics , mechanical engineering , engineering , artificial intelligence , classical mechanics , control (management) , quantum mechanics
Animal flight requires aerodynamic power, which is challenging to determine accurately in vivo. Existing methods rely on approximate calculations based on wake flow field measurements, inverse dynamics approaches, or invasive muscle physiological recordings. In contrast, the external mechanical work required for terrestrial locomotion can be determined more directly by using a force platform as an ergometer. Based on an extension of the recent invention of the aerodynamic force platform, we now present a more direct method to determine the in vivo aerodynamic power by taking the dot product of the aerodynamic force vector on the wing with the representative wing velocity vector based on kinematics and morphology. We demonstrate this new method by studying a slowly flying dove, but it can be applied more generally across flying and swimming animals as well as animals that locomote over water surfaces. Finally, our mathematical framework also works for power analyses based on flow field measurements.