Compliant systems: Flexible yet strong materials allow aircraft wings to flex with air flow

Compliant systems: Flexible yet strong materials allow aircraft wings to flex with air flow: "ScienceDaily (Mar. 14, 2010) — Those who witnessed the first takeoff of an Airbus A380 Superjumbo from Zurich airport at the end of January know that elegant is not the right word for the aircraft. On the other hand it is perfect to describe a crane as it leaves the ground, rising in a seemingly weightless fashion. This is not just because of the difference in size and weight -- the bird uses its flying surfaces in a completely different manner to the machine. It steers itself by continually varying the geometry of its wings."