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Science News for November 21, 2010


Jet engine too hot? Schedule an MRI!

Researchers are using magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the mixing of hot and cool air in jet turbines, aiming to optimize bypass design and reduce coolant usage. This technique could lead to significant energy savings and improved performance, potentially slashing development time from years to just hours.

Jump rope aerodynamics

Researchers build robotic jump rope device to control rope parameters, capturing motion with high-speed cameras. They find that air-induced drag affects the shape of the rope, reducing total drag. Insights from the study may inform other situations involving flexible filaments in engineered and natural systems.

Should airplanes look like birds?

Researchers in California and South Africa re-designed an aircraft with a bird-inspired shape to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption. The study showed that a flying wing configuration can generate nearly wing-only levels of lift and drag, potentially making planes more energy efficient.