On December 16, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) welcomed Hao LIU, Professor at Chiba University, Director of the Center for Aerial Intelligent Vehicles (CAIV), and Member of the Engineering Academy of Japan, as a guest speaker of the SUSTech Lecture Series.

Invited by Dr. Ye LI, Professor of the Department of Ocean Science and Engineering at SUSTech, Professor LIU delivered a lecture titled “Learning from nature: Bioinspiration from insects and birds brings innovation to low-altitude flight systems” to an engaged audience of faculty members and students.

Professor Hao LIU delved into the motion characteristics of low-altitude insects and birds, as well as shallow-water fish and mammals, within the low Reynolds number range (Re 10²–10⁵). He highlighted how the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic traits of these animals inspire innovative designs for flight systems.

He emphasized that bioinspired principles also hold immense potential for the marine field, particularly in designing underwater flight systems. Professor LIU discussed how the interaction between flexible wings, fuselage, vortex dynamics, and aeroacoustic properties can provide solutions to surface interference challenges in underwater navigation systems.

Sharing his team’s recent advancements, he provided an example based on the flight of owls. Using these principles, his team designed low-noise drone wings and propellers. These innovations excel not only in aerial applications but also in marine operations such as surface cruising and environmental monitoring. They further influence noise control and fluid dynamics design in underwater systems.

During the Q&A session, Professor LIU engaged with the audience through in-depth discussions and exchanges, and encouraged them to explore the infinite possibilities of integrating biomechanics with modern engineering technology.