Purdue researchers are developing automotive and portable air-conditioning systems that use environmentally friendly carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. Carbon dioxide is promising for small and light-weight systems, such as automotive or portable air conditioners.
Researchers developed a computer-controlled flow delivery device that monitors tracheal pressure and varies the flow of air to prevent apnea. The new technology may lead to alternative treatments for severely affected patients, potentially reducing the need for tracheotomies.
Air New Zealand won the INFORMS Edelman Award for its optimized crew scheduling project, which improves passenger service and reduces costs by over $15.6 million annually. The project uses advanced optimization methods to efficiently utilize crew resources, addressing a significant issue faced by airlines.
Borggaard, a Virginia Tech assistant professor, has made important contributions to the Air Force's science and technology needs with his work on continuous sensitivity equation methods. His research aims to reduce design cycle times and improve aerodynamic flows, benefiting aircraft performance and fuel efficiency.
A National Jewish Medical and Research Center study, funded by the EPA, investigates the effectiveness of HEPA filters and electrostatic air filtration systems in removing allergens and irritants from homes of children with asthma. The study aims to determine if these interventions can help lower asthma severity in some children.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a cockpit display system called CDTI, which provides pilots with real-time information on surrounding aircraft speeds. This enables pilots to respond quickly and safely to air traffic controller commands, improving air traffic efficiency and safety.
Scientists can estimate ancient atmosphere mass and composition using mayfly fossils due to their consistent flight mechanism, which records air density. The study suggests the atmosphere's mass remained relatively constant over the last quarter-billion years.
Dutch researchers use calculations to show that tubular-shaped vortices can form within areas of air turbulence, causing water droplets to congregate at the edge and leading to rain precipitation. This discovery contradicts previous assumptions about cloud formation and supersaturation.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a scale to measure air travel stress, finding that men and women experience it differently. The study suggests that anxiety and anger can trigger stress, but also highlights the importance of coping mechanisms such as relaxation skills and adaptive behavior.
Researchers found that new high-efficiency filter materials can lead to uneven contaminant distribution and reduced efficiency when used in devices with high airflow rates. Manufacturers of vacuum cleaners and other air-filtering devices can improve performance by running products at lower speeds or increasing filter size.
A new study predicts that jet contrails will become a significant climate factor by 2050, causing a warming of the Earth's atmosphere. Contrails are expected to increase in coverage over Europe and Asia, with potential temperature increases reaching up to 0.7 watts per square meter.
Researchers John Abrahamson and Peter Coleman successfully created stable fireballs in a mini tornado using liquefied petroleum gas, challenging existing theories about ball lightning. The experiment may have industrial applications and shed new light on unexplained UFO sightings.
Three Johns Hopkins University engineering students build an air-powered hammering device that can deliver up to 45,000 pounds of force to test computer models predicting armored vehicle equipment durability. The device is part of a design project course and aims to improve the accuracy of simulations for real-world battlefield scenarios.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a prototype engineering tool to aid in verifying an aircraft's stealth characteristics. The Holographic 3-Dimensional Radar Camera can be deployed worldwide and provides images of radar reflections to assess the condition of radar-absorbing material.
The US Air Force has upgraded its test facility to conduct wideband bistatic imaging and radar cross-section measurements of full-sized aircraft. The Bistatic Coherent Measurement System (BICOMS) provides a mobile system for bistatic as well as monostatic tests, improving efficiency and accuracy.
A NASA study led by Dr. Dale Quattrochi found that Atlanta's urban expansion creates a unique heat island effect, influencing local weather patterns and air quality. The study revealed that this phenomenon can lead to increased ozone production and thunderstorms due to the interaction between warm air and surrounding areas.
Researchers in Mexico City are testing an antenna system designed to ionise the atmosphere, hoping to influence local wind patterns and rainfall to disperse air contaminants. However, experts remain sceptical due to the enormous number of electrons required to alter the natural level of ionisation.
A cost-effective method to eliminate methane emissions from coal mines has been developed by Natural Resources Canada. The system uses a secret catalyst to oxidize methane to water and CO2, generating heat and electricity in the process.
The new oven combines conventional heat and microwaves to cook food from the outside and inside simultaneously, resulting in significant cooking time reductions. It achieves this by surrounding the food in a shroud of hot air and heating it from below with microwaves.
A small radio-controlled aircraft equipped with a sensor developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) can monitor air for signs of biological weapons. The sensor uses fluorescent antibodies and optical fibers to detect biowar bacteria in water samples, allowing it to accumulate on probes over time.
A recent study published in Pediatric Emergency Care found that air gun injuries accounted for 87 of the 162 injuries caused by guns during a seven-year period. The research revealed that air gun wounds can be serious and even permanent, with 13 children suffering from visual disabilities.
Researchers are studying the upper levels of hurricanes to understand their mechanics, a shift from traditional middle-altitude observations. This is part of ongoing research to save lives by providing more accurate data on storm intensity and energy exchange.
Urban Heat Island Pilot Project measures city cooling with urban forests. Cities like Sacramento & Salt Lake City use trees to reduce surface heating, improving air quality & mitigating heat stress. The study helps develop planning strategies for cities worldwide.
The Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) is an integrated suite of models and databases that assesses the impact of new technologies on air transportation efficiency and safety. Developed by Logistics Management Institute, ASAC assists researchers in air traffic management analysis and aircraft technology analysis.
A National Research Council panel recommends more automation in air-traffic control to enhance safety and efficiency. The panel advises against fully automating tasks that require human judgment, instead focusing on tools that assist controllers with understanding and predicting situations.
Using heat-resistant microbes, researchers can treat waste air and water emissions at temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius. The new process eliminates the need for cooling, saving companies time and money while reducing environmental impact.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers are developing mobile, wearable computer systems to provide fast access to maintenance and repair information for aircraft mechanics. The project aims to cut time and cost of planes going in and out of repair depots, benefiting the US Air Force.
Scientists are developing a solution to cool advanced supersonic jets by using jet fuel as a coolant, which can also circulate through the wings and fuselage. The research aims to address the problem of fuel degradation and carbon deposition that could cause maintenance issues with coal-derived jet fuels.
Researchers developed a training method to improve perception of air flow resistance in asthma patients. The study found that participants had fewer asthma attacks after completing the training, detecting problems earlier and taking medication before an attack occurred.
The FalconView portable mapping system allows pilots to plan flights on laptops with enhanced features and real-time updates. It includes a new form of imagery, five-meter controlled image base, which offers twice the resolution of the previous imagery, and is tailored to various aircraft types.
Pediatric heart surgeons are using ultrasound to monitor patients for potential brain damage during and after open-heart surgery. The non-invasive method, Transcranial Doppler, can detect air in the brain circulation when it is ejected from the heart, providing valuable feedback for surgeons.
A new solid sorbent air sampling material developed by ORNL has been licensed by Supelco, offering a cost-effective way to detect and measure airborne pollutants. The sol-gel sorbent's improved thermal stability allows for higher temperatures, increasing its productivity and selectivity in sampling organic contaminants.
A Colorado State University researcher has developed a real-time radar system that can identify airborne objects even in dense air traffic, improving air safety and efficiency. The technology was tested successfully and is set to be installed in military aircraft, with commercial applications also being pursued.
A National Research Council panel recommends hiring criteria, training programs, and better displays for air traffic controllers to maintain situation awareness and improve system reliability. The FAA is expected to assess different types of automation and make recommendations on implementation.
Researchers are developing innovative control concepts, such as electrically-actuated piezoelectric structures and tiny jet turbine engines, to build MicroFlyer aircraft. The vehicles must be autonomous, inexpensive, and able to withstand harsh environments.
A robot has been taught to play air hockey, a step towards developing intelligent robots that can perform complex tasks. The robot's ability to sense its surroundings and react accordingly opens up new horizons for robotic applications.
Wake vortices, created by large commercial aircraft, will be studied at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) to develop a reliable detection system. The system aims to increase airport safety by providing controllers with observed vortex location and intensity information.
Researchers investigate air exchange between tropical and mid-latitude stratosphere regions, shedding light on ozone layer thinning. The study's findings improve computer model representation of ozone depletion, predicting potential losses due to supersonic aircraft emissions.
Researchers successfully demonstrated a novel cleanup technology that efficiently destroys various organic contaminants, including benzene and perchloroethylene, using nonthermal plasma. The technology achieved destruction fractions of up to 99.9 percent, with potential commercial applications for treating legacy waste problems.
A Johns Hopkins study found that fires occur in 17% of commuter and air taxi crashes, resulting in 536 deaths and 744 injuries. The researchers emphasize the need for adoption of latest fire safety technology to minimize risk of fire in these aircraft.