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Analysis of institutional authors

Crespo Moreno JAuthorRodríguez Sevillano áaAuthorCobo González áCorresponding Author

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March 6, 2023
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Performance enhancement of a bioinspired micro air vehicle by integrating a smart composite in its morphing wing

Publicated to:Composite Structures. 311 116794- - 2023-05-01 311(), DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.116794

Authors: Moreno, JC; Mora, RB; Sevillano, AAR; Gonz, AC

Affiliations

Inst Nacl Tecn Aerosp INTA, Carretera Torrejon Ardoz Ajalvir, km 4, 500, Torrejon De Ardoz 28850, Madrid, Spain - Author
Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Aeronaut & Espacio, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros, 3, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show the advantages of using a smart composite in a micro air vehicle (MAV) equipped with morphing wing technology. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator is attached to the wing's bottom surface to modify the wing camber during the mission. This material allows the MAV to be optimized according to each flight, thus making it more versatile and attractive to the market. The elongation of the lower surface when a positive voltage is applied to the actuator is translated to an increment in camber, which results in an increment in the maximum lift coefficient, thus enabling the vehicle to fly slower to adapt to any payload. Besides, a reduction in camber results in an increase in aerodynamic efficiency, which improves range and endurance. Several tests of the MAV at prototype level have been carried out at INTA, so as to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing MFC actuators to control and manoeuvre these vehicles. The use of this material in aerospace industry opens up various fields of research in aerospace engineering, such as new features in flight mechanics and aerodynamic performance and new strategies in the design of flight stability and control laws.

Keywords

actuationdesignfinite element methodmicro air vehiclemorphingoptimizationpiezoelectricFiberFinite element methodMacro fiber compositeMicro air vehicleMorphingPiezoelectric

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Composite Structures due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 9/170, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mechanics. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 3.08, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Sep 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-09-21, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 6
  • Google Scholar: 4

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-09-21:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 15 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/80971/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 199
  • Downloads: 34

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (CRESPO MORENO, JAVIER) and Last Author (COBO GONZALEZ, ALVARO).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been COBO GONZALEZ, ALVARO.