A Framework for Characterizing Flapping Wing Systems

Flapping wing systems are being developed by various institutions and research groups around the world with many systems developed that are capable of full flight. However, while instrumentation has been developed that is capable of measuring some of the characteristics of these systems, there is no complete solution. This paper seeks to take the first step toward instrumentation that could be applied to any flapping wing system. This first step is to identify and characterize the forces that are operating on flapping wing systems. This paper presents, in premiere, a systematic analysis of all cases that can create useful or parasitic aerodynamic loads along with the other major loads that would be experienced by these cases and methodology for how these can be measured with the ambition that it can become a framework to be used to characterize any flapping wing system

Noncontact Sensing of Contagion

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. We review and reduce the clinical literature on diagnosis of COVID-19 through symptoms that might be remotely detected as of early May 2020. Vital signs associated with respiratory distress and fever, coughing, and visible infections have been reported. Fever screening by temperature monitoring is currently popular. However, improved noncontact detection is sought. Vital signs including heart rate and respiratory rate are affected by the condition. Cough, fatigue, and visible infections are also reported as common symptoms. There are non-contact methods for measuring vital signs remotely that have been shown to have acceptable accuracy, reliability, and practicality in some settings. Each has its pros and cons and may perform well in some challenges but be inadequate in others. Our review shows that visible spectrum and thermal spectrum cameras offer the best options for truly noncontact sensing of those studied to date, thermal cameras due to their potential to measure all likely symptoms on a single camera, especially temperature, and video cameras due to their availability, cost, adaptability, and compatibility. Substantial supply chain disruptions during the pandemic and the widespread nature of the problem means that cost-effectiveness and availability are important considerations