Instructions

• provide background information about theory / research purpose / method

• restate the conceptual framework

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

In this study, we aimed to discover a new lift mechanism to understand how insects fly. We proposed that insects use unsteady lift mechanisms that exploit phenomena related to dynamic stall. Stall occurs when a wing operates at a high angle of attack, leading to a brief increase in lift. Dynamic stall occurs when a wing suddenly increases its angle of attack. …

Instructions

• restate the main findings

• may include graphs or tables

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

We found that insect wings generate lift by generating a leading edge vortex. The mechanism for generating the vortex is related to dynamic stall insofar as stall causes the vortex to form. But unlike in a stalled wing, the vortex does not continue to grow until it detaches from the wing. Instead, the vortex reaches a stable size as vortex energy is convected down the wing and shed at the wing tip, allowing the vortex to remain attached to the wing. …

Instructions

• summarize the core finding (take-home message)

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

In summary, we found that the leading edge vortex forming on the insect wings we studied accounted for up to 60% of the generated lift, with rotational lift and conventional lift making up the remaining 40%.

Instructions

• Step 1: Interpret findings

• Step 2: Compare findings with the literature

• Step 3: Accounting for results

• Step 4: Evaluate findings

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Not only did our study identify how insect generate lift. But given that similar lift mechanisms have been described on fixed-wing planes with swept wings, we propose that such a leading-edge vortex also occurs on other fast-beating and swept-back foils, such as the tail fins of most fish.

We expected to find a lift mechanism that exploits unsteady effects. Yet the mechanism we discovered might not depend on unsteady fluid dynamics. 

Instructions

• State your main conclusion

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

In conclusion, this study points to a new lift mechanism, which we named a ‘leading edge vortex’.

Instructions

• Step 1: Indicate limitations

• Step 2: Indicate importance/advantage

• Step 3: Evaluate method

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Yet our study design did not allow us to determine whether this vortex is stabilized by the fast wing beat or the swept-back leading edge. Nevertheless, the robustness of this vortex suggests that this lift mechanism might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers. Our study allowed us to determine the range of wingbeat frequencies over which this vortex remains stable and to obtain rough estimates of the lift contribution of three different lift generating mechanisms.  It did not allow us to examine the effect of wing shape, especially wing sweep.

Instructions

• Step 1: Make suggestions

• Step 2: Recommend future studies

• Step 3: Draw implications

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Future studies should explore the effect of wing sweep, and wing aspect ratio. By varying wing shape and wing motion, it will be possible to determine whether the vortex is stabilized by wing shape (sweep) or motion (high wing beat frequency).  If the vortex can be stabilized by both mechanisms, then the leading-edge vortex is likely to be an important new lift mechanisms that can be exploited by bio-inspired designs.

Move 1. In this study, we aimed to discover a new lift mechanism to understand how insects fly. We proposed that insects use unsteady lift mechanisms that exploit phenomena related to dynamic stall. Stall occurs when a wing operates at a high angle of attack, leading to a brief increase in lift. Dynamic stall occurs when a wing suddenly increases its angle of attack. Move 2. We found that insect wings generate lift by generating a leading edge vortex. The mechanism for generating the vortex is related to dynamic stall insofar as stall causes the vortex to form. But unlike in a stalled wing, the vortex does not continue to grow until it detaches from the wing. Instead, the vortex reaches a stable size as vortex energy is convected down the wing and shed at the wing tip, allowing the vortex to remain attached to the wing. Move 3. In summary, we found that the leading edge vortex forming on the insect wings we studied accounted for up to 60% of the generated lift, with rotational lift and conventional lift making up the remaining 40%. Move 4. Not only did our study identify how insect generate lift. But given that similar lift mechanisms have been described on fixed-wing planes with swept wings, we propose that such a leading-edge vortex also occurs on other fast-beating and swept-back foils, such as the tail fins of most fish. We expected to find a lift mechanism that exploits unsteady effects. Yet the mechanism we discovered might not depend on unsteady fluid dynamics. 

Move 5. In conclusion, this study points to a new lift mechanism, which we named a ‘leading edge vortex’. Move 6. Yet our study design did not allow us to determine whether this vortex is stabilized by the fast wing beat or the swept-back leading edge. Nevertheless, the robustness of this vortex suggests that this lift mechanism might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers. Our study allowed us to determine the range of wingbeat frequencies over which this vortex remains stable and to obtain rough estimates of the lift contribution of three different lift generating mechanisms.  It did not allow us to examine the effect of wing shape, especially wing sweep. Move 7. Future studies should explore the effect of wing sweep, and wing aspect ratio. By varying wing shape and wing motion, it will be possible to determine whether the vortex is stabilized by wing shape (sweep) or motion (high wing beat frequency).  If the vortex can be stabilized by both mechanisms, then the leading-edge vortex is likely to be an important new lift mechanisms that can be exploited by bio-inspired designs.

Instructions

• provide background information about theory / research purpose / method

• restate the conceptual framework

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 1. In this study, we aimed to discover a new lift mechanism to understand how insects fly. We proposed that insects use unsteady lift mechanisms that exploit phenomena related to dynamic stall. Stall occurs when a wing operates at a high angle of attack, leading to a brief increase in lift. Dynamic stall occurs when a wing suddenly increases its angle of attack. 

Instructions

• restate the main findings

• may include graphs or tables

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 2. We found that insect wings generate substantial lift using a mechanism called a ‘leading edge vortex’. This mechanism accounted for up to 60% of the generated lift, with rotational lift and conventional lift making up the remaining 40%.

Instructions

• point out expected and unexpected outcomes

• may include graphs or tables

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 3. In contradiction to our expectations, we found that this 'leading edge vortex' mechanism is not a form of dynamic stall. The mechanism for generating the vortex is related to stall only insofar as stall causes the vortex to form. But unlike in a stalled wing, the vortex does not continue to grow until it detaches from the wing. Instead, the vortex reaches a stable size as vortex energy is convected down the wing and shed at the wing tip, allowing the vortex to remain attached to the wing.

Instructions

• refer to past studies for the purpose of comparison: do your findings confirm, expand, or contradict current understanding?

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 4. This lift mechanism differs from the static lift generated by most fixed-wing airplanes and soaring birds. It is more similar to the lift mechanisms of swept-wing planes, which also generate a leading-edge vortex.

Instructions

• contrast expected versus unexpected findings and explain unexpected findings

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 5. We expected to find a lift mechanism that exploits the fast wing beat of insects. Yet the mechanism we found, a leading-edge vortex, might not require a fast wing beat to to remain stable. Instead it could be stabilized by any mechanism that convects energy away from the vortex core, such as a swept leading edge, as observed on the Concorde airplane.

Instructions

• State research contribution, such as generalization arising from results

• summarize your main conclusion by generalizing your findings, make sure that your conclusion is supported by your own data and not arising from the data of others

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 6. In conclusion, this study points to a new lift mechanism that might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers.

Instructions

• explain the limitations of your study (conceptual limitations, limitations of the study design, strength of the collected data)

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 7. Yet our study design did not allow us to determine whether this vortex is stabilized by the fast wing beat or the swept-back leading edge. Nevertheless, the robustness of this vortex suggests that this lift mechanism might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers. Our study allowed us to determine the range of wing-beat frequencies over which this vortex remains stable and to obtain rough estimates of the lift contribution of three different lift generating mechanisms.  It did not allow us to examine the effect of wing shape, especially wing sweep.

Instructions

• Discuss what future research is made possible by your findings, what new questions are arising

Example for a made-up article entitled “Insects use unsteady lift mechanisms to fly”

Move 8. Future studies should explore the effect of wing sweep, and wing aspect ratio. By varying wing shape and wing motion, it will be possible to determine whether the vortex is stabilized by wing shape (sweep) or motion (high wing beat frequency).  If the vortex can be stabilized by both mechanisms, then the leading-edge vortex is likely to be an important new lift mechanisms that can be exploited by bio-inspired designs.

Move 1. In this study, we aimed to discover a new lift mechanism to understand how insects fly. We proposed that insects use unsteady lift mechanisms that exploit phenomena related to dynamic stall. Stall occurs when a wing operates at a high angle of attack, leading to a brief increase in lift. Dynamic stall occurs when a wing suddenly increases its angle of attack. Move 2. We found that insect wings generate substantial lift using a mechanism called a ‘leading edge vortex’. This mechanism accounted for up to 60% of the generated lift, with rotational lift and conventional lift making up the remaining 40%. Move 3. In contradiction to our expectations, we found that this 'leading edge vortex' mechanism is not a form of dynamic stall. The mechanism for generating the vortex is related to stall only insofar as stall causes the vortex to form. But unlike in a stalled wing, the vortex does not continue to grow until it detaches from the wing. Instead, the vortex reaches a stable size as vortex energy is convected down the wing and shed at the wing tip, allowing the vortex to remain attached to the wing. Move 4. This lift mechanism differs from the static lift generated by most fixed-wing airplanes and soaring birds. It is more similar to the lift mechanisms of swept-wing planes, which also generate a leading-edge vortex.

Move 5. We expected to find a lift mechanism that exploits the fast wing beat of insects. Yet the mechanism we found, a leading-edge vortex, might not require a fast wing beat to to remain stable. Instead it could be stabilized by any mechanism that convects energy away from the vortex core, such as a swept leading edge, as observed on the Concorde airplane. Move 6. In conclusion, this study points to a new lift mechanism that might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers. Move 7. Yet our study design did not allow us to determine whether this vortex is stabilized by the fast wing beat or the swept-back leading edge. Nevertheless, the robustness of this vortex suggests that this lift mechanism might be used by a wide range of animal and engineered flyers and swimmers. Our study allowed us to determine the range of wing-beat frequencies over which this vortex remains stable and to obtain rough estimates of the lift contribution of three different lift generating mechanisms.  It did not allow us to examine the effect of wing shape, especially wing sweep. Move 8. Future studies should explore the effect of wing sweep, and wing aspect ratio. By varying wing shape and wing motion, it will be possible to determine whether the vortex is stabilized by wing shape (sweep) or motion (high wing beat frequency).  If the vortex can be stabilized by both mechanisms, then the leading-edge vortex is likely to be an important new lift mechanisms that can be exploited by bio-inspired designs.