bionic surface technologies

bionic surface technologies, or BST, is a research and development company in Graz, Austria. It designs surface textures called riblets. Riblets are tiny structures that cut fluid drag, which helps aircraft use less fuel. The company says it has more than 15 years of riblet engineering.

BST's work runs from CFD design through testing to industrial manufacturing. It describes its riblet technology as flight-tested and backed by an international patent portfolio. It also says its manufacturing can scale up. The company runs its own test facilities to check its surface designs. It also does public and self-funded research to improve riblet technology.

For aviation, BST says riblets have cut fuel use by up to 4 percent on business jets. The company lists up to 3 percent better efficiency on industrial fans and up to 0.3 seconds faster laps in professional racing. BST is working with 3M to speed up the industrial production of the next generation of riblet surfaces for aviation. BST brings its riblet knowledge and 3M brings materials science and manufacturing.

The company also offers CFD analysis and modelling to many industries. It has extra skills in pulp and paper, acoustics and microfluidics. Its engineers also test and evaluate surface textures.

ANDRITZ uses BST for flow simulations and engineering of its pulp drying systems. BST also worked on the Red Bull Tunnel Flight stunt. Its CFD work showed how the aircraft would respond. Its riblet surfaces helped absorb ground-level turbulence and added stability.

Aviation customers can contact the company through its website to order riblets or to talk to its aerospace experts.

Services

• Riblet surfaces
• CFD analysis and modelling
• Surface texture testing
• Riblet design
• Pulp and paper flow simulation
• Acoustics simulation
• Microfluidics simulation
• Research and development