I'm just thinking of a "worst case scenario". This structure has to be pretty light to "flap". An airliner descends from high-altitude cruise through rain. Cold fuel in the winds causes the "flapping" mechanism to freeze in the raised position. The plane lands. A refueller, who knows nothing about this technology and thinks those are just regular winglets, walks under the wing tip. And at that very momend the ice melts and BOOM, "refuelling technician wanted".
But jokes aside, if it helps improve airplane behavior in turbulence and cross winds, it'll be brilliant. What really makes my day is that they don't ever stop research even on the basics. Behind all those accountants and marketing people there are real engineers at work.