Master of Science in Aerospace, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261
Abstract
In recent years, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena has emerged as an innovative approach in engineering and design, particularly in the field of aerodynamics, attracting increasing attention. This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of maple leaves with the aim of designing new propellers. To this end, the average dimensions of several leaves were calculated using digitizer software and Excel, and then one leaf was selected for three-dimensional scanning to extract airfoils from its various sections. The results indicated that leaves exhibit self-rotating properties in both two-blade and three-blade configurations, leading to the development of single-blade propellers into two-blade and three-blade designs. Additionally, larger scales of these blades were designed and constructed. Considering that leaves adopt an angle between 5 to 20 degrees relative to the rotation plane and the horizontal plane during descent, two-blade propellers were also designed and examined at these various angles. The findings revealed that increasing the number of blades significantly enhances thrust, with the propeller at a 10-degree angle generating the highest thrust. Furthermore, the propellers at scale 2 were optimal for thrust production, while the propeller at scale 3 produced less thrust compared to scale 2. The results of this research can significantly contribute to the design and optimization of new propellers and pave the way for the development of innovative technologies in this field.
choobtashani,F. (2025). The design and construction of a propeller for thrust generation inspired by the aerodynamics of the maple tree leaf. Journal of Aeronautical Engineering, 27(2), 108-116. doi: 10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261
MLA
choobtashani,F. . "The design and construction of a propeller for thrust generation inspired by the aerodynamics of the maple tree leaf", Journal of Aeronautical Engineering, 27, 2, 2025, 108-116. doi: 10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261
HARVARD
choobtashani F. (2025). 'The design and construction of a propeller for thrust generation inspired by the aerodynamics of the maple tree leaf', Journal of Aeronautical Engineering, 27(2), pp. 108-116. doi: 10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261
CHICAGO
F. choobtashani, "The design and construction of a propeller for thrust generation inspired by the aerodynamics of the maple tree leaf," Journal of Aeronautical Engineering, 27 2 (2025): 108-116, doi: 10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261
VANCOUVER
choobtashani F. The design and construction of a propeller for thrust generation inspired by the aerodynamics of the maple tree leaf. JoAE, 2025; 27(2): 108-116. doi: 10.22034/joae.2025.495210.1261