This is what I would try to do, if I were to do the canalizer. As I get ideas I will talk to my prof. and ask about simulations. Of course it wouldn't make sense to model a canalizer with laminar flow, but it is my understanding that fluent can easily simulate the spiraling airstream.

Same goes for the hinge gaps. My understanding is that taping hinges makes the surfaces more responsive by not allowing air to pass through the space. I would hypothesize that the effectiveness of the taped hinges varies with flying conditions and plane attitude. May be doing next to nothing near straight and level, but more effective during certain parts of a loop or certain maneuvers.

Please keep the thoughts coming. I want to do something very relevant and meaningful and to take this pretty seriously. This probably is my favorite class with one of my favorite professors, and most related to something I'd like to do in the future.