Jinlan Huang, Leanne Li, Zola Chen
Techniques/Tools
Laser-cut on polyester fabric, Arduino, Servo Motors, Acrylic Board, Threaded Rods
Drawing from the way bat wings sense and react to airflow through nerve-embedded membranes, the installation uses real-time wind speed data from eight global cities to drive servo motors connected to a fabric surface. As wind speeds change, the motors pull threads embedded in the fabric, creating dynamic deformations that mimic the adaptive movements of bat wings. By combining biology, technology, and design, WindWing explores how the future of materials might evolve to be more responsive and adaptive to their environments.
This project began with our curiosity about the structure of bat wings and the mechanisms behind their dynamic form.
Unlike any other mammal, bats possess highly compliant wings that allow for exceptional flight efficiency. Their “soft bones” contain over two dozen joints, enabling flexible movement, while a two-layered membrane embedded with fine muscles adjusts stiffness and curvature mid-flight. Sensory hairs across the membrane detect air currents and send feedback to the body, allowing real-time aerodynamic adjustments.
The bat wing responds dynamically to external stimuli like wind, with muscles adjusting stiffness and shape, and elastic fibers providing reinforcement and flexibility for folding. Different regions experience varying strain during flutter cycles, reflecting specialized functions.
This reveals how the organic arrangement of muscles and elastic fibers, especially in denser areas, supports a precise balance of form, function, and dynamic adaptability.
Inspired by the organic patterns of bat wing muscles and elastic fibers, we laser-cut pattern designs onto polyester fabric. This approach, inspired by stretchable kirigami, transforms a flat surface into a three-dimensional form through folding and stretching.