The project originated from a very simple concept: imagine the airplane as a large body with end structures that have the possibility to change shape as if having internal nerve endings and muscles.

The aerodynamic shape of aircraft lifting surfaces must change during flight, due to the aerodynamic requirements of the different manoeuvres (ascent and descent operations, yaw). To this end, mobile surfaces have been introduced in conventional wings (ailerons, flaps, slats etc.), at the same time inevitably introducing additional weight, mechanisms, sources of vibrations and other well-known limitations.

An interesting alternative to mobile surfaces could be represented by 'self shaping wings', i.e. wings of which the surface can be elastically deformed through its entire length and managed in order to obtain the required lifting profile. Such wing performances could be obtained through the application of composite hybrid materials where layers of new generation of piezoelectric fibres are drowned and triggered by relatively low voltage.

Aim of the research is a deep understanding of the technical feasibility and limitations of such an application. Depending on the results, 'self shaping wings' (or 'Future Wings') could be more deeply investigated and designed in order to replace ailerons, slats, tail wings, rudders and, probably, even flaps: the relevant technology could have a really wide fields of applications (helicopter rotor blades, satellite panels, etc.).