Magnus Effect
It is an aerodynamic phenomenon where in a body which is rotating/spinning in any fluid experiences a force which deflects its trajectory in perpendicular direction to its current motion. Due to the spinning motion of the body, the pressure by the fluid on either side of the body changes, resulting in different in the velocity of either sides of the body. So a lift force called Magnus force is generated from high pressure region to low pressure region ( almost normal to the direction of flight of body) which deflects the body. The lift generated depends upon many factors such as spinning velocity of the body, the Reynolds number of the fluid, shape of body, etc. It is most readily observed for sphere-like objects.
The Magnus force
Application in Aerodynamics : MAGNUS PLANE
The Plymouth A-A-2004 rotor aircraft
The concept of magnus effect in aeronautics was first used in the 1930’s by German aviation engineer Anton Flettner. He invented the Flettner airplane ( a type of rotor plane ) which uses a flettner rotor ( A smooth cylinder with disc end plates which is spun along its long axis and, as air passes at right angles across it, the Magnus effect causes an aerodynamic force to be generated in the direction perpendicular to both the long axis and the direction of airflow ).
The forward motion of the aircraft automatically lifted the aircraft due to the Magnus force generated by its rotor.
In today’s world too, the same concept more or less is being used. Instead of fixed wing, rotating cylinders are being used as rotors to give balance to the airplane and also to generate lift using Magnus effect. Only the technology became more and more advanced with time.
Cylindrical rotors for generating magnus force in plane
New generation cylindrical rotors in plane
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