New design could keep UAVs in the air

Despite many recent advances, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a.k.a. drones, still have one big flaw: they can't stay in the air for long periods of time. The need to refuel or recharge limits many potential commercial applications since most drones can only fly short distances before they run out of energy.

This has led to some creative solutions, such as Amazon's plan for installing charging stations on lamp posts , but the underlying problem is the inefficient vehicle. A researcher from the University of Texas at Arlington has come up with a solution that is hidden inside an aircraft's wings.