Morphing bodykits

forester06 · 29 April 2009, 18:41

Hi everyone,

We are currently evaluating a new technology for a university project allowing a car spoiler to change shape by using an innovative shape morphing technology.

As motorsports fans and experts, we would like you opinion on the application of this type of technology on cars, both on circuit or street racing.

We created a fictional video to explain better how the system works, we know it is far from perfect but we would appreciate if you could watch this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK_vw1ipwlM

and then answer the quick questionnaire by clicking on the following link:

"The new dimension of body tuning" survey

Additional information:
To give you a quick background, the idea is to have the front and back of the car to ‘morph’ to improve aerodynamic capabilities. This is done using the car onboard computer to determine, depending on the speed and track curves the best shape to increase the car’s performance. While giving the possibility to adapt multiple shapes, the system can be custom designed to fit each cars independently.

This technology is currently being developed for morphing wings on small recognition aircrafts and we are looking for other applications. The shape of the spoiler completely change forms under electrical impulse, the inner core is made of composite material arranged in tiny honeycomb structure having the possibility to elongate themselves in any direction under specific electrical signal. The outer skin is a flexible composite close to rubber to adopt the new shape. The development of new materials to comply with this technology is currently ongoing.

Thanks for your time and inputs

bigbarry04 · 29 April 2009, 20:30

youtube= "video removed by the user" ???

LUCKO · 30 April 2009, 00:58

did you say morph?

forester06 · 30 April 2009, 11:03

YouTube - A new dimension in body tuning - "Morphing aeropackages"

This one works. Sorry about that.

Coc-ker · 30 April 2009, 11:42

If it worked, may be useful in racing. Don't think that it will be a cost effective modification for use on a street car.

Prasius · 07 May 2009, 09:25

I know they're toying with this type of tech for the control surfaces of UAV's.. but adapting for vehicles, even something like F1, the cost must rule it out in the short to medium term.

Sound application other than cost though - I guess it would work in a similar way to adaptive steering; speed dependent, providing the minimum drag at low speeds and increased downforce as you get faster. In a non-performance application, maybe it could be used to adapt body shape in accidents, provide a larger crumple zone or move the skin away from things like engines in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.

forester06 · 19 June 2009, 13:59

Thanks for the replies guys