Airbus, Boeing looking to "wing it" with new winglets

[lijk604]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/new-wing-tips-w.html

To save on fuel costs and cut drag, aircraft giants Airbus and Boeing are developing winglets that will adjust during flights. Winglets, attached to wing tips and which curve up to cut drag, have been used for years but have been fixed in place. Boeing has filed for a patent on its variable geometry winglet, which involves a shape metal alloy that enables a shape to remember and retain its form with the use of thermal energy. Airbus has its morphlet project and is expected to file patents shortly.

[cancidas]

interesting, but is it worth the weight penalty? you'll have to strenghten the spar and weing structure at the tip.