James Paulos, a student in the Modlab at the University of Pennsylvania, has designed a highly simplified version of a UAV propeller setup which radically reimagines how such systems need to work. This new design, which does without many of the motors and actuators needed to drive a conventional quadcopter skyward, makes use of a novel, 3D printed set of parts. Using his new hinge geometry, Paulos creates "lead-and-lag oscillations" which make it possible for a UAV to exhibit controlled movement while simultaneously knocking down the number of parts required to make flight happen. You can read the whole story here: http://3dprint.com/33792/occams-razor-3d-printed-uav/


Below is an image of the UAV: