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Dragon Fly Wings also have air flow and wing deformation sensors

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The Dragonfly is amazing:

Fabian et all, Cell Press, “Systematic characterization of wing mechanosensors that monitor airflow and wing deformations” April 15, 2022

As Fabian et al summarise:

Animal wings deform during flight in ways that can enhance lift, facilitate flight
control, and mitigate damage. Monitoring the structural and aerodynamic state
of the wing is challenging because deformations are passive, and the flow fields
are unsteady; it requires distributed mechanosensors that respond to local
airflow and strain on the wing. Without a complete map of the sensor arrays, it
is impossible to model control strategies underpinned by them. Here, we present
the first systematic characterization of mechanosensors on the dragonfly’s wings:
morphology, distribution, and wiring. By combining a cross-species survey of
sensor distribution with quantitative neuroanatomy and a high-fidelity finite
element analysis, we show that the mechanosensors are well placed to perceive
features of the wing dynamics relevant to flight. This work describes the wing
sensory apparatus in its entirety and advances our understanding of the sensori-
motor loop that facilitates exquisite flight control
in animals with highly deform-
able wings.

A video discusses and illustrates:

This, of course, continues to scream, sophisticated, fine tuned, integrated systems engineering driven design.

The Dragonfly is a sophisticated ornithopter class flying machine capable of hovering, sideways and reverse flight [comparable to helicopters], with capability as a living animal, to reproduce itself.

Just the pterostigma alone, which enables up to 25% increase in flight speed by reducing wing flutter (a problem seen by the Spitfire’s designers) is already a case in point of fine tuning and islands of function in large configuration spaces dominated by non functional gibberish and with failure modes nearby. Now, we add a sensor array driven control loop, where such loops, notoriously, require Goldilocks Zone just right tuning. Worse, the wing is highly deformable and acts in an unstable flow field. That is, the required servo control is highly sophisticated and adaptive.

The Dragonfly is a case in point of sophisticated, systems level fine tuned island of function design. A further point for why we need to declare intellectual independence. END

Comments
OT for Easter: I don't know if remaining readers here remember Dr (of philosophy) Vincent Torley, a former prolific writer of posts here. Vincent currently leads a busy life in Japan teaching English to Japanese adults. Anyway, now unable to post at Uncommon Descent, he occasionally authors opening posts at The Skeptical Zone. Today he has posted about a debate between Bart Ehrman and Justin Bass, which might be of interest to some here. Happy Eostre, everyone. I'm off to eat eggs and rabbit.Alan Fox
April 7, 2023
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Sev, creedal declaration duly noted and discounted to evidential value, nil. Now, on actual observation of body plan creating power, how do we get to a dragonfly design, which is highly fine tuned and a complex integrated system including -- per the sensor arrays in the wings -- a tuned, highly and rapidly adaptive control loop [I believe, 30 wing beats/s, implying ms or better response times for sensed conditions]. Note, these are said to be among the earliest insects. KFkairosfocus
April 6, 2023
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Inorganic chemicals becoming organic? Then becoming a living thing?relatd
April 6, 2023
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@Seversky. Amazing indeed, how do you think it did it, starting with simple chemicals after the rocks had mainly cooled?Belfast
April 6, 2023
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It's just amazing what a natural process like evolution can produce.Seversky
April 6, 2023
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Thank you Kairo for the dragonfly excerpt, drawing and video!Blastus
April 5, 2023
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4 ChuckdarwinApril 5, 2023 at 11:09 am Not just an “accident,” a screaming accident…… Not just a Troll, a SCREAMING Troll. Andrewasauber
April 5, 2023
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Not just an "accident," a screaming accident......chuckdarwin
April 5, 2023
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It's all an accident! Wrong answer? :)relatd
April 5, 2023
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Plus, the dragonfly accidentally metamorphoses. Andrewasauber
April 5, 2023
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Dragon Fly Wings also have air flow and wing deformation sensorskairosfocus
April 5, 2023
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