We want to understand how insects fly.
Our Research
Neuroethology of Flight and Escape in Insects
We are working toward understanding how insects use their wings to fly and manoeuver during escape. We use multichannel electromyography and concurrent high-speed cinematography to relate wing kinematics to muscle activity.
Insect Flight Aerodynamics
Our goal is to use wings and actuated flapping wing models to understand how aerodynamic forces are produced during flight. We combine bio-inspired robotic devices with flow visualization techniques (PIV and dye) to study the fluid structure of the wake of flapping wings. Our group collaborates with engineers in designing and building micro-air-vehicles.
Auditory Sensorimotor Integration
We use behavioural and electrophysiological techniques to understand the bioacoustics and neurobiology of insect hearing.
About Us
The Insect Flight Group (IFG) at Carleton University was established in 2005 by Dr. Jeff W. Dawson. Our lab is located in the Department of Biology and is home to graduate and undergraduate students. We are multidisciplinary and enjoy ongoing collaborations with Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Carleton.
We are a member of Carleton Aerospace
Contact
Get in touch
Insect Flight Group
Attn: Dr. Jeff W. Dawson
Carleton University
Department of Biology
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 5B6
Send us a message
Insect Flight Group 