Scientists have long been puzzled over exactly how the butterfly moves through the air the way it does. It’s long been believed that butterflies ‘ clap’ their large wings to thrust forward, but scientists in Sweden have now determined the motion is far more complex than previously understood. Rather than just beating them, they flex … Read more
Aviation giant Rolls-Royce has thrown its significant expertise behind a project hoping to build the world’s fastest civil aircraft. Boom Supersonic is building a plane called Overture which, when completed, may be capable of flying at more than twice the speed of sound, with a range of 5,180 miles. It could take passengers from London to … Read more
Scientists have developed an environmentally-friendly plasma-powered jet propulsion system that uses air and electricity to propel itself forward. A Chinese team say their prototype can generate thrust on the same magnitude as a commercial jet engine without burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases. The device converts high pressure air into a jet of plasma … Read more