Northeastern University Team Secures Patent for Innovative Morphing Wings

On June 17, 2025, a research team at Northeastern University, led by Professor Moneesh Upmanyu from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and his Ph.D. student Raman Vaidya, was awarded a patent for a groundbreaking design of morphing wings inspired by origami techniques. This innovative approach aims to enhance the adaptability and fuel efficiency of aircraft by allowing wings to change shape dynamically in response to various flight conditions.

The patented design represents a significant advancement in aerospace engineering. "Morphing wings can change shape on the fly," stated Professor Upmanyu. "If you look at birds, their wings can adapt to many different shapes. Morphing wings, from that point of view, are adaptable. The idea is to have more adaptability to engineer more energy efficiency and to have flights respond to current weather conditions."

Historically, morphing wings have been used in a limited capacity within experimental aircraft and military applications. Their potential to revolutionize commercial aviation is gaining traction as researchers like Upmanyu and Vaidya explore new methodologies. "The road to invention began three to four years ago, when I became interested in how origami folding could be used in mechanical engineering," Upmanyu explained.

The duo's research integrates principles of origami with engineering, focusing on the structural applications of folding techniques. Vaidya elaborated, "Origami structures have been around for a long time, and we just explored the engineering part of it. They have a lot of applications in many different fields. We wanted to utilize some of the surface areas that weren't being utilized for actuation beforehand, so one of the applications that we thought of was the morphing wing."

In practical terms, traditional morphing wings utilize a string and pulley system to change shape. However, Upmanyu and Vaidya's design incorporates a hollow interior and a corrugated structure, enhancing flexibility and allowing for rapid shape changes. This added flexibility could significantly improve maneuverability in varying airflow conditions, providing aircraft with better control and potentially reducing fuel consumption.

As Vaidya pointed out, "If there is a change in airflow, or there's a change in some weather conditions, this added flexibility allows you to maneuver better." Currently, commercial aircraft rely on cable systems for wing flexibility, but this new design could also be applied to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), expanding its use across the aerospace industry.

The patent is based on a computational model, with hopes of developing a physical prototype in the future. Vaidya expressed optimism regarding the potential collaboration with industry partners: "I'm hoping that we could get it to a certain stage where we can license this patent over to companies that might be interested in taking over the manufacture and the development part of it."

The implications of this technology could extend far beyond enhanced fuel efficiency. As the aerospace industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, innovations like the morphing wing design may play a crucial role in achieving more sustainable aviation practices.

As the field continues to evolve, the collaboration between academia and industry will be essential to bring such innovations from concept to reality, ultimately reshaping the future of air travel.