Articles tagged with Aircraft
Researchers warn of the scale of radiation risks to passengers, crew and onboard systems during extreme space weather events. The study proposes a new atmospheric radiation scale to help support more informed decision-making in aviation.
The University of Central Florida has opened a new clinic to help pilots meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical requirements for safe aircraft operation. The clinic is led by William Powers, a certified aviation medical examiner, and offers multiple medical specialties under one roof.
A University of Houston engineer developed a real-time safety system for quadrotor drones that can prevent accidents caused by unexpected events. The new technology uses a 'safety supervisor' module to monitor the drone's tilt and position in real time, ensuring it stays within safety limits.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.
The new center aims to make mobility systems more sustainable and efficient by leveraging AI, autonomy, digital infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making. Stanford faculty members across five schools are affiliated with the center, which will be funded through corporate partnerships.
Researchers develop quantum algorithms to simulate polymer degradation caused by UV radiation, using industrially relevant aircraft coatings as an example. The goal is to optimize surface coatings for various industries, improving safety and reducing costs.
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
Researchers proposed a model-based diagnostic framework for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft battery systems, improving fault detection and isolation under demanding aviation conditions. The approach achieves high detection rates, even in concurrent-fault scenarios, making it suitable for certifying eVTOL systems.
Researchers developed a predictive energy management framework for megawatt-class parallel hybrid-electric regional aircraft, showing improved environmental and operational performance. Simulation results show reduced fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, NOx emissions, and energy-specific air range.
Researchers simulated 27 evacuation scenarios to determine the safest cabin layout, finding that a specific distribution of elderly passengers can significantly impact evacuation time. The study suggests airlines implement strategic seating arrangements to optimize safety without compromising efficiency.
Research suggests living in areas with high levels of transportation noise is associated with a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiac events. Loud road, aviation, and rail noises were linked to increased risks of heart attack, stroke, or coronary revascularization. Different types of noise may come with unique health risks...
SwRI is using low frequency eddy current testing to detect and characterize subsurface flaws and cracks in bolt holes. This method will allow aircraft maintainers to assess damage progression and make repair decisions to keep the aircraft flying safely.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
NPSS 3.3 offers new interfaces, features and data types to enhance model and component development times, supporting turbomachinery, air-breathing propulsion systems and hybrid electric systems. The software now includes FFI integration with external functions and built-in support for .CSV file format exports.
A new study by SMART has identified a strong statistical association between global air connectivity and patterns of multinational corporations' investments. The research found that few layovers meant more subsidiaries, with cities having better flight connections to influential hubs outperforming those with less-connected destinations.
Southwest Research Institute is developing a comprehensive Product Lifecycle Management system to store and organize decades of scattered records and data for the US Air Force. The system aims to improve aircraft efficiency and safety by using data, modeling, and analytics to perform repairs and maintenance before problems occur.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a pair of sensors that can detect ice and freezing rain, alerting pilots to potential hazards and reducing crashes. The sensors use microwaves and lasers to detect ice on planes and roads, potentially saving lives by slowing down drivers and preventing accidents.
Researchers developed a self-healing composite that can repair itself over 1,000 times and extend the lifetime of conventional fiber-reinforced composite materials by centuries. The material targets interlaminar delamination, which occurs when cracks cause fiber layers to separate from the matrix.
A study by Francisco Polidoro Jr. found that NASA's space shuttle design process used a meandering knowledge-building approach, combining oscillation and accumulation to create breakthroughs. This process can be applied to other fields, such as pharmaceuticals, where temporary setbacks can lead to new discoveries.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will predict F-16 landing gear component lifespan and recommend maintenance improvements under a $9.9 million contract. The seven-year agreement leverages SwRI's aging aircraft expertise in probabilistic analysis, fatigue testing.
Dr. Bueno, a lead engineer at SwRI's Computational Mechanics Section, has been recognized for his work on supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamics, turbulence, and renewable energy. He developed patented heat storage systems and advanced optical diagnostic imaging tools to study high-speed flows.
Researchers developed a cylindrical air damper to improve the self-stabilization performance of flapping-wing micro-aircraft. The Tumbler FWMAV demonstrated breakthrough stabilization performance, with vertical stabilization duration improved by 5-fold and horizontal offset motion reduced by ±100 mm.
Rising air temperatures will cause departing aircraft to create more noise pollution around European airports, with the number of people affected potentially increasing to 2,500. The most disturbing effect will be low-frequency noise, which can cause stress and sleep problems.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart plastic that can self-heal and adapt to extreme conditions, making it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications. The material's unique properties allow it to restore its shape after deformation, improve vehicle safety, and reduce environmental waste.
The Michigan Air Mobility Research Corridor will test advanced air mobility technologies, including battery-powered aircraft and autonomous systems. The corridor, spanning 40 miles from Ann Arbor to Detroit, aims to enable safe and efficient flight testing.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has received a new contract worth up to $250 million from the US Air Force to sustain the structural integrity of aging military aircraft. The program supports the A-10 Thunderbolt II, T-38 Talon, C-5 cargo carrier, and B-52 Stratofortress bomber, among others.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new fuel cell that can carry three times as much energy per pound as current EV batteries, offering a lightweight option for electrifying transportation systems. The technology has the potential to enable electric aviation and other sectors like marine and rail transportation.
The AcrOSS platform features a three-layer architecture to manage UAS traffic, improve pilots' situation awareness with augmented reality, and ensure safe integration into controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Experimental tests showed promising results, but improvements are needed for ergonomics and integration between components.
A new study suggests that adding particles to the atmosphere at a lower altitude near the polar regions can effectively cool the planet. Commercial jets like Boeing 777F could reach this altitude.
Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.
The study introduced an omnidirectional circular ring antenna that operates across a broad frequency range (150 MHz–600 MHz) while maintaining a low profile. The antenna features a compact design, achieving an impedance bandwidth of 12:1 and a lateral diameter of 0.19 times the wavelength.
A recent UBC study found that there's a 26% annual chance of space rocket junk re-entering the atmosphere and passing through a busy flight area, highlighting the potential for uncontrolled debris to disrupt flights. The researchers emphasize the need for policymakers to take action to address this issue.
Research finds that aerosols from Canadian wildfires of summer 2023 contributed to the formation of ice clouds over the Arctic. Aerosol particles were transported via atmospheric rivers and contributed to ice cloud formation at temperatures warmer than usual.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people exposed to high aircraft noise levels had stiffer and thicker heart muscles, which contracted and expanded less easily. This was especially true for those exposed to higher noise at night, potentially due to impaired sleep and stress responses.
A new study found that exposure to high aircraft noise levels can lead to stiffer and thicker heart muscles, increasing the risk of poor heart function and major cardiac events. People exposed to night-time aircraft noise were particularly at risk, with increased risks of heart attacks, life-threatening rhythms, and strokes.
A new definition of sustainable aviation has been introduced, focusing on a holistic approach to the system engineering process. The framework assesses aircraft performance in categories such as technology readiness, operational cost, and end-of-life recyclability.
The collaboration aims to detect red tide occurrences early and provide information to fisheries stakeholders to prevent damage to marine environments. The system will also be used for broader environmental monitoring of forests and oceans, improving accuracy through repeated validation.
Engineers are adapting jet engines to run on hydrogen fuel, addressing vibrations concerns that could damage the combustion chamber. The researchers' experiments provide a basis for designing efficient hydrogen engines, paving the way for climate-neutral flight.
A significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions from private aviation has been found, with annual emissions rising by 46% between 2019 and 2023. The study also reveals that some individuals account for almost 500 times more CO2 emissions than the average person.
A team of MIT engineers developed an algorithm to identify causal links in complex systems, taking data from various sources and analyzing interactions between variables. The method generates a causality map linking variables with likely cause-and-effect relationships, including synergistic and redundant links.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new technology inspired by bird feathers, which improves flight performance and prevents stalling. The covert-inspired flaps deploy in response to changes in airflow, offering an inexpensive and lightweight method to increase flight performance without complex machinery.
Systematic review of published evidence reveals no evidence for airborne spread of nut allergens; surface residues pose main risk. Airlines can minimize risk by cleaning surfaces, allowing pre-boarding, and providing allergen-free options.
Increased malaria cases from mosquitoes transported by air have been reported in France and a European systematic review, highlighting the risk of Odyssean malaria. Locally-acquired infections remain constant, with more cases being reported since 2011.
Researchers found that altitude changes during flights may cause slight increases and decreases in insulin delivery, potentially leading to blood glucose fluctuations. Individuals using insulin pumps should be aware of these effects and consider temporarily disconnecting their pumps before take-off.
Researchers from Zhejiang University have developed a hybrid laser direct writing technique that enables the creation of functional copper interconnects and carbon-based sensors within a single integrated system. The process allows for real-time temperature monitoring over extended periods, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
Researchers studied kestrels' hovering flight behavior, revealing insights that could improve drone stability in turbulent conditions. The study found that birds use changes in wing surface area to achieve stable flight, a method that could be applied to morphing wings in drones.
MIT researchers detected a clear signal of human influence on upper tropospheric ozone trends, separate from climate noise. The study provides insights into specific human activities driving this trend.
Researchers used omics techniques to discover a novel electrolyte solution that increases cycle life for electric aircraft batteries by four-fold, outperforming conventional batteries. The new design aims to enable carbon-free air travel and expand the use of omics in battery research.
New studies from Chalmers University of Technology suggest that hydrogen-powered aircraft could meet the needs of 97% of intra-Nordic flights and 58% of Nordic passenger volume by 2045. A novel heat exchanger technology has shown promise in reducing fuel consumption by almost eight percent.
eVTOL technology offers efficient, sustainable, and rapid transit solutions, reducing travel times and carbon footprint. Despite challenges like safety and regulatory hurdles, the potential benefits of eVTOLs are undeniable, promising to redefine urban mobility.
A recent survey on aircraft noise and annoyance conducted during the pandemic era reveals flaws in existing methods to assess and mitigate noise impacts. The study suggests that annoyance levels are a proven correlation to overall noise levels, contradicting current industry practices.
The RefMap project aims to reduce aviation's environmental impact by optimizing flight paths using data on wind, noise, CO2 emissions. Researchers are developing models to predict drone noise disturbance and improve UAV trajectories, with the goal of creating a digital service for airlines and airports.
New research has found that companies on the periphery of industry networks can successfully build connections and gain influence after disruptions. By examining airline industry networks, researchers discovered that peripheral airlines were more successful in building connections with central firms following major changes or shocks.
China is revolutionizing low-altitude airspace management by integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS), promoting efficient and safe operations. The country's advancements in UAS technology and regulatory frameworks aim to set international standards for unmanned aviation, transforming the nation's aviation industry.
The GREENSKY model significantly enhances the energy efficiency of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in cellular networks by optimizing charging behavior and routing processes. This results in a 9.1% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional heuristic solutions.
The article reviews energy management strategies for hybrid electric vehicles and aircraft, highlighting challenges and solutions. It also discusses the application of energy management in flying cars driven by hybrid electric propulsion systems.
Researchers found that small electric aircraft can have a notably lower climate impact – up to 60 percent less – and other types of environmental impacts than equivalent fossil-fuelled aircraft. The study also highlights the need for longer battery lifetimes and improved energy storage capacity to minimize mineral resource scarcity.
A new European research project, SMARTS, aims to improve air travel efficiency by redesigning flexible airspace sectors using artificial intelligence. The €2million project will create accurate predictive models and develop innovative sector configuration plans to reduce passenger delays, increase productivity, and lower emissions.
Scientists have developed a system to detect icing conditions in drones flying over the polar regions, allowing for safer and more efficient data collection. The onboard aerosol counters enable real-time detection of supercooled cloud droplets, which can damage drone components.
A research group from Nagoya University simulated clear air turbulence using Japan's fastest supercomputer. They found that wind speed disturbances occur due to the collapse of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves, creating turbulence in the absence of visible clouds or other atmospheric disturbances.