Dynamic roughness for aerodynamic applications

Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a surface immersed in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be control in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the surface relative to the fluid. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described.