Kingston University PhD student launches innovative aviation project to develop civil aircraft morphing wing

PhD researcher at Kingston University Muram Abbadi is working with technology company RBF Morph on helping perfect a new flexible wing for aircraft.

Her project combines computer design and wind tunnel testing to develop a morphing wing which will be used on civil aircraft. 

Explaining the science behind the project, Muram said: “Drawing on the Wright brothers’ wing-warping principle of smooth, continuous shape change, it explores controlled camber variations across representative flight conditions to optimise aerodynamic performance and support significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.”

Muram has also been sponsored by Air Charter Service (ACS), a Surbiton-based aviation company, throughout her PhD at Kingston University. She is currently in the third year of her doctorate, having previously graduated from the University with a master’s in aerospace engineering in 2019.

Muram’s relationship with RBF Morph developed through Ansys part of Synopsys, a simulation software company which she uses to run numerical simulations to assist on the project and heard about them through both wider-reading and during a training session.

CFD simulations indicate that the morphing wing technology can achieve up to a 15% reduction in drag and an average 12% increase in lift, leading to improved aerodynamic efficiency.

Working with partners across industry

Muram explained how her work with RBF Morph has helped develop her project. “RBF’s dynamic meshing capabilities directly aligned with my research and really excited me. I reached out to them straight away to tell them about my project, and they showed great interest. They generously provided a trial licence, which allowed me to explore and utilise their technology. 

“Working on this project has been highly collaborative and rewarding, with ACS demonstrating outstanding corporate social responsibility through genuine enthusiasm and meaningful support, and the RBF team providing responsive guidance and comprehensive tutorial packages that showcase the software’s capabilities –  skills I’m excited to apply to large, innovative projects in industry.”

Founder of RBF Morph Marco Evangelos Biancolini said: “I'm extremely pleased—this milestone reflects years of dedicated work in aeronautical research. We’ve contributed to the optimization of winglets and propellers, and we firmly believe that morphing wing methods represent one of the most promising technologies in this industrial sector. We’re proud not only to provide our technology, but also to bring the full depth of our expertise and experience in the aeronautical field.”

Air Charter Service have continued to support Muram throughout her studies after she was awarded the Mountfitchet Scholarship. “When we launched the Mountfitchet Scholarship we wanted it to go to somebody passionate about sustainability in aviation, and Muram was the perfect candidate,” they said.

“Since then, she has continued to impress, particularly through her use of advanced numerical simulations to demonstrate how morphing wing technology can reduce drag and lower fuel consumption. These aerodynamic developments are key to making the next generation of aircraft more sustainable. We are beyond proud to have helped support Muram in her studies thus far and can’t wait to see the impact of her findings on the aviation industry.”

Professor of Aircraft Technology at Kingston Jian Wang, who is Muram's supervisor added: "Access to specialist tools such as RBF Morph, facilitated through collaboration with industry partners, enables the accurate modelling of complex aerodynamic shape adaptations. This capability is instrumental in strengthening the alignment between academic research and industrial application, accelerating knowledge transfer, and supporting innovation within the aerospace sector."

The next step in the project is for some physical testing of the wing which Muram hopes to undertake over the next few months.