A Fundamental Principle of Aeronautical Engineering Has Been Overturned For over eight decades, a widely accepted principle in aeronautical engineering has held that smooth surfaces are essential for reducing drag and increasing speed.
However, a recent study from Tohoku University's Institute of Fluid Science has challenged this notion, revealing that distributed micro roughness (DMR) can actually reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 43. 6 percent.
The implications of this finding are profound. Airplanes, cars, and high speed trains could potentially reach incredible velocities without consuming excessive fuel or generating significant heat.