Lightweight wings for a high-flying kite - New fields of application for lightweight construction elements
Dübendorf, St. Gallen und Thun, 26.5.2009 - Tensairity elements made of air filled membrane assemblies, rods and cables have already made a name for themselves in the construction world as extremely light yet strong load-bearing structures. But is this new technology also suitable for use in the aerospace industry, for example to create novel wings for kites? Empa researchers are currently pushing back the envelope in this field, and are also demonstrating their first flying models.