Reconfigurable porous technology for fluid flow control and method of controlling flow

A method for fluid flow control on the surface of an aircraft, missile, watercraft or ground vehicle comprising

• measuring an output of a sensor to determine conditions which result in high and low pressure areas on a porous surface comprising individual pores over which a fluid is passing;
• estimating or determining the high and low pressure areas of the porous surface comprising individual pores based in part on the sensor output;
• and
• opening and/or closing valves corresponding and connected to the individual pores to allow movement of the fluid from at least one of the higher pressure areas to at least one of the lower pressure areas of the porous surface through a pneumatic system connecting the pores.

A reconfigurable porosity system for fluid flow control on the surface of an aircraft, missile, watercraft or ground vehicle comprising

• a porous outer skin comprising individual pores;
• at least one micro mechanical valve;
• and
• a pneumatic system for connecting the pores and valve
• wherein fluid from a high-pressure area of the porous outer skin can be directed to a low-pressure area of the porous outer skin by opening and closing the micro mechanical valve.