Novel roll effector based on zero-mass-flux dual synthetic jets and its flight test

The autonomous and controllable Dual Synthetic Jet Actuator (DSJA) is firstly integrated into the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and flight tests without the deflection of rudders are carried out to verify the viability of DSJA to control the attitudes of UAV during cruising. DSJA is improved into an actuator with two diaphragms and three cavities, which has higher energy levels. Actuators, differentially distributed on both sides of the wings, are installed on the trailing edge close to the wing tips. Flight tests, containing Differential Circulation Control (DCC) using double-side actuators, Positive Circulation Control (PCC) using left-side actuators and Negative Circulation Control (NCC) using right-side actuators, are implemented at cruising speed of 25 m/s. Results show that roll attitude control without rudders could be realized by DSJAs. DCC and NCC can generate the rightward roll and yaw angular velocity, prompting UAV to turn right. The stronger controlling ability can be achieved by DCC, with the maximum roll angular velocity of 15.62 (°)/s. PCC can generate a rightward roll moment, but a leftward yaw moment will be produced at the same time. Leftward yaw induces the leftward rolling moment, which weakens the roll control effect, making UAV keep to yaw to the left with a small slope.     

Small-scale solar jet formation and their associated waves and instabilities

Studies on small-scale jets’ formation, propagation, evolution, and role, such as type I and II spicules, mottles, and fibrils in the lower solar atmosphere’s energetic balance, have progressed tremendously thanks to the combination of detailed observations and sophisticated mathematical modelling. This review provides a survey of the current understanding of jets, their formation in the solar lower atmosphere, and their evolution from observational, numerical, and theoretical perspectives. First, we review some results to describe the jet properties, acquired numerically, analytically and through high-spatial and temporal resolution observations. Further on, we discuss the role of hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, namely Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities, in jet evolution and their role in the energy transport through the solar atmosphere in fully and partially ionised plasmas. Finally, we discuss several mechanisms of magnetohydrodynamic wave generation, propagation, and energy transport in the context of small-scale solar jets in detail. This review identifies several gaps in the understanding of small-scale solar jets and some misalignments between the observational studies and knowledge acquired through theoretical studies and numerical modelling. It is to be expected that these gaps will be closed with the advent of high-resolution observational instruments, such as Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, and Solar CubeSats for Linked Imaging Spectropolarimetry, combined with further theoretical and computational developments.