Problem Statement

“A Study of Nature-Inspired Fan Blade”

Domestic ceiling fans continue to suffer from limitations in airflow efficiency and excessive noise generation due to the reliance on conventional blade geometries. Although biomimetic features such as serrated edges, perforations, and feather-like tilts have shown individual benefits in reducing turbulence and improving aerodynamic performance, existing literature studies these features mostly in isolation. As a result, the combined aerodynamic and acoustic behaviour of integrating multiple biomimetic modifications on a single ceiling fan blade is not well understood.

Additionally, past research predominantly uses steady-state CFD analysis and often neglects transient aeroacoustics modelling, tonal noise prediction, and realistic enclosure simulations required for accurate noise assessment based on standards like ARSHEA. Furthermore, many biomimetic blade designs remain impractical for real-world applications due to the absence of manufacturability and cost-feasibility evaluations.

Therefore, the central problem addressed in this project is the lack of a comprehensive, unified framework that investigates the combined effects of serrated, perforated, and tilted biomimetic blade features on airflow, noise reduction, and production feasibility. This gap prevents the development of ceiling fan blades that are quieter, more efficient, and practically manufacturable for commercial use.