Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge

Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) is a shape-changing flap for aircraft wings, intended to reduce an aircraft's fuel costs up to 12% and reduce noise by up to 40% during take-off and landing. Airborne tests have been conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 7 November 2014 in collaboration with the United States Air Force.
History
The ACTE was invented by Sridhar Kota, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. Kota initially submitted his designs for an aircraft flexible wing to the U.S Air Force in the mid 1990's. The concept was officially developed by FlexSys Inc., a company founded by Kota in 2000. FlexSys received 40 million in financial assistance from the Air Force's small business innovative research program, and the concept was successfully tested on 7 November 2014 with the involvement of NASA and the U.S Air Force Research Laboratory.
Consumption control
The Flexible flap or FlexFoil, a modern interpretation of wing warping, is a sub group of airfoil technology. It is an efficient and more operational upgrade from hinged wing flaps (which folds out from under the wing's trailing edge), globally accepted by aircraft designers. The seamless technology helps in fuel savings of up to 12% on a new wing. The variable geometry wing helps reduce fuel consumption and load-alleviation. The enhanced control surface helps reduce noise during takeoff and landing by up to 40%.

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