Topology Optimization with Generative Design on Albatross Inspired Wing

Topology Optimization with Generative Design on Albatross Inspired Wing | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Topology Optimization with Generative Design on Albatross Inspired Wing Chirag Govinda Shrestha, Manu Aryal This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7580445/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Aerotecnica Missili & Spazio → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The albatross wing profile, renowned for its superior lift-to-drag ratio at low angles of attack, presents a promising model for enhancing the aerodynamic efficiency of fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). UAVs can achieve improved aerodynamic performance by mimicking the design of the albatross wing. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the wing and its supporting structures are as lightweight as possible while maintaining the structural integrity required to withstand the stresses of flight. This study explores the use of generative design for topological optimization to significantly reduce the mass of wing ribs and spars, particularly in the context of albatross-inspired wing structures–an area that remains under-explored in existing literature. Generative design leverages the computational power of cloud-based platforms to automatically generate and evaluate numerous design iterations. In each iteration, the algorithm redistributes material from low-stress regions to high-stress regions, evolving the geometry to meet predefined constraints such as strength, stiffness, and manufacturing feasibility. Through this iterative, data-driven approach, the design process converges toward an optimized structure that minimizes weight while maintaining structural integrity. As a result, the mass of the wing rib was reduced by a factor of 2.94, demonstrating the effectiveness of generative design in achieving high-performance, lightweight structures without compromising mechanical performance. Through the integration of the generative design method in the design process, the study aims to develop a wing structure that not only mimics the aerodynamic efficiency of the albatross but also meets the stringent weight and strength requirements of the UAVs. The results of this research have the potential to contribute significantly to the field of UAV design, leading to more efficient, lightweight, and robust aerial vehicles. Generative Design Albatross Biomimetics Topology Optimization Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Aerotecnica Missili & Spazio → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 23 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 23 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 07 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 11 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 11 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 10 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7580445","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":516540343,"identity":"6ae3e99e-54a8-48e4-8aca-883c471e6666","order_by":0,"name":"Chirag Govinda Shrestha","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chirag","middleName":"Govinda","lastName":"Shrestha","suffix":""},{"id":516540344,"identity":"f02ac8b1-c7ab-4cbd-a81e-6520ee6ba3c5","order_by":1,"name":"Manu Aryal","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Manu","middleName":"","lastName":"Aryal","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-09-10 08:23:24","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7580445/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7580445/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42496-026-00308-5","type":"published","date":"2026-02-02T15:57:59+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":102234370,"identity":"06f43f36-9bd9-44e1-945e-5430f16e7f06","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-09 16:10:34","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1013651,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TopologyOptimizationwithGenerativeDesignonAlbatrossInspiredWing.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7580445/v1_covered_7ba91ca1-80de-40f6-beb1-2e27fba13a44.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Topology Optimization with Generative Design on Albatross Inspired Wing","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"aerotecnica-missili-and-spazio","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"atms","sideBox":"Learn more about [Aerotecnica Missili \u0026 Spazio](http://link.springer.com/journal/42496)","snPcode":"42496","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/42496/3","title":"Aerotecnica Missili \u0026 Spazio","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Generative Design, Albatross, Biomimetics, Topology Optimization","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7580445/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7580445/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe albatross wing profile, renowned for its superior lift-to-drag ratio at low angles of attack, presents a promising model for enhancing the aerodynamic efficiency of fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). 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