MADCAT – Wings of Change

Most planes use rigid wings with moving parts. But what if there was a wing that was not only completely flexible, but could be programmed to change on the go? A wing that could adapt to the most efficient shape for any flight, wind conditions or scientific mission? MADCAT is making that wing a reality.

The Mission Adaptive Digital Composite Aerostructure Technologies, or MADCAT, team at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, uses carbon fiber composites – a strong and light material made of carbon atoms – to design and test efficient, ultra-light wings that can adapt on the fly.

Read more at the NASA website