Articles tagged with Aircraft Design
Researchers at Stanford University found that birds utilize drag to support their body weight during takeoff, employing lift as a brake in landings. This new understanding challenges conventional wisdom about the role of drag and lift in flight.
Harvard researchers have uncovered fundamental physical properties of artificial muscle fibers, shedding light on their shape transformations and design principles. The study explains the theoretical principles underlying complex morphology and provides guidelines for designing optimal soft actuators.
Researchers at FSU's High-Performance Materials Institute have developed a thin heat shield for high-speed aircraft using carbon nanotubes, known as 'buckypaper.' The material is lightweight, flexible, and durable, protecting the aircraft from intense heat while reducing weight.
Researchers at MIT have developed a robot with an extendable appendage that can twist and turn in various configurations, yet remains rigid enough to support heavy loads. The robot's design is inspired by the way plants grow, allowing it to adapt to different tasks and environments.
Researchers have developed a new kind of robotics that can assemble large structures from identical subunits using simple robotic systems. The system works by having the robot work together with the structure, adjusting its position as it adds each piece, allowing for efficient and precise assembly.
Researchers at Yale University are developing new materials that can mimic neurons, compute with magnets, and calculate using quantum mechanics. The team used a precision measurement technique to create artificial crystals composed of elements from the periodic table.
Researchers developed ptychographic x-ray laminography to validate chip integrity without damaging them. The method generates high-resolution 3D images of chips from diffraction patterns, allowing companies to verify design specifications and detect manufacturing errors.
Scientists have developed a method to encode complex curves in shape-shifting structures, enabling the creation of doubly-curved shapes like those found on a human face. The research uses a bilayer, multimaterial lattice design that can grow or shrink in response to temperature changes.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell's PICTURE-C telescope was launched via a football field-sized helium balloon to study objects hidden by stars' glare. The instrument boasts an optical control system and can block out direct light from stars, allowing for the detailed study of nearby planets.
Researchers from SUTD have developed a holistic approach that applies data-driven methods in design search and optimization for additive manufacturing (AM) products. The new method uses surrogate models to rapidly narrow down the high-dimensional design space, enabling designers to explore millions of design alternatives.
The team discovered a new strategy to design highly efficient perovskite-based LEDs by leveraging the quantum confinement effect, which allows for superior mobility of electrons and holes. This results in attractive light-emission properties, enabling record-setting performance in terms of brightness and power efficiency.
University of Arizona researchers have developed a new lens technology that can collect more light and search for signs of life on 1,000 exoplanets. The Nautilus telescope array will be powerful enough to characterize planets from 1,000 light years away, providing valuable insights into the complexity of exo-earths.
Researchers develop a novel method to automatically design a mode-free, model-agnostic AI-driven controller for any hybrid UAV, simplifying control and increasing accessibility. The team uses reinforcement learning techniques to optimize flight performance in realistic simulations.
Researchers mapped radiative cooling resource maps to determine the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive cooling technologies. Locations with drier atmospheres and most frequent clear skies show great potential for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
HyQReal, the latest version of hydraulic-powered quadruped robots, successfully pulled a 3300kg small passenger airplane at Genova Airport. The robot features increased ruggedness, reliability, and energy efficiency compared to previous versions.
Purdue University researchers develop sensors inspired by spiders, bats, birds, and other animals to process sensory information faster, enabling drones and self-driving cars to detect and avoid objects better. The sensors can filter out irrelevant data and compute information without needing a power supply.
Researchers found that people tend to trust machines more than humans when it comes to private information, which can lead to online behaviors. The presence of a machine agent on the interface triggers this 'machine heuristic,' making users more likely to share sensitive info.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a dynamic checklist system for web designers using Critter, an open-source platform. The system reduced checklist items by 20.4% and improved website quality, particularly for junior designers.
The system will feature a shallow and deep water vehicle designed to connect with disabled submarines, allowing for the rescue of people trapped on board. The remotely operated submarine rescue vehicle is designed to prevent decompression sickness by matching the pressure of the disabled submarine.
Researchers have created a new method of ice removal using materials designed with low interfacial toughness, reducing the amount of force required for detachment. This approach can be applied to large surfaces like wind-turbine blades and airplane wings, minimizing catastrophic failure.
A team of researchers used a reduced order model to analyze data from high-fidelity simulations, gaining new knowledge about chemical reactions in hypersonic flows. The study looked at three types of gas compositions and found that vibrations temperatures could be predicted, as well as the formation of nitric oxide in small amounts.
The University of Ljubljana won the $2,500 first-place prize, while Georgia Tech took second place with a $1,500 award. The competition encouraged students to design and build radio-controlled aircraft while carrying a payload and landing without damage.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has announced the winners of its 2019 Technical Excellence in Aerospace Awards. The awards recognize pioneering work in various fields of aerospace engineering, including aerodynamics, aircraft design, fluid dynamics, and more.
Justin W. Jaworski, a Lehigh University mechanical engineer, has developed a predictive noise framework to design quieter aircraft wings. His work aims to predict how edge serrations affect fluid flow and acoustic signature, reducing the disturbance caused by wind turbines and increasing the viability of new transportation technologies.
Scientists have discovered a new method to control icing on next-generation aircraft using plasma actuators. The technology can transfer heat locally while mixing well with incoming airflow, preventing stress on composite materials. Researchers tested three configurations of actuators in high-speed cameras and infrared thermal imaging.
Timothy Cook uses NSF CAREER funding to design and study self-assembling molecules and create 3D-printed magnetic structures. He works with K-12 science teachers in Buffalo to teach chemistry through hands-on models.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to detect potential security flaws in new chip designs, exposing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. The algorithm, called UPEC, analyzes microarchitectural side effects of design decisions and detects if they can be used to create covert channels.
Researchers at Caltech have designed a way to levitate and propel macroscopic objects using specific nanoscale patterning on their surfaces. This technology has the potential to revolutionize space travel by powering spacecraft with light, potentially reaching nearby planets in 20 years.
The contact angle method, used for over two centuries, is being called into question due to its dependence on camera accuracy and subjective decisions. Newer methods that measure adhesion or friction forces are proposed as a solution, offering lower errors and more relevant physical terms.
Researchers have discovered that the microscopic surface geometry of mako shark scales can control flow separation, reducing drag on smooth surfaces. This passive mechanism could lead to innovative designs to increase agility in aircraft and helicopters.
A new analytical model predicts Helmholtz cavity's sound spectrum with high accuracy, enabling efficient design of noise-cancelling systems. The model is optimized for low speed airflows and low frequencies, allowing for modular investigation of complex geometries.
Steve WaiChing Sun, a civil engineering professor at Columbia University, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER award to develop an augmented intelligence approach for predicting material failures. His tool uses deep reinforcement learning to generate accurate predictions and improve complex analyses and designs for infrastructure.
NASA technologist Mahmooda Sultana is advancing a revolutionary nanomaterial-based detector platform capable of sensing gases, atmospheric pressure, and temperature. The technology enables miniaturization of sensors, simplifying integration and packaging, with potential applications in space exploration and human health.
Scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new technique for finding galaxy mergers, which may be crucial for building huge galaxies and forming new stars. The method was tested on data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and successfully identified fusing galaxies 80% of the time.
Researchers propose using tiny satellites with lasers to provide a steady reference light for massive space telescopes, relaxing the need for precision in segmented telescope designs. This approach aims to reduce costs and enable more flexible telescope designs.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered that gulls can adapt their wing shape to gusty conditions by flexing a single elbow joint, which could inspire improved aircraft design. This novel mechanism enables gulls to sacrifice stability for maneuverability.
Researchers developed two classification models that gauge human trust in intelligent machines using electroencephalography and galvanic skin response. The models achieved a mean accuracy of 71.22 percent, enabling real-time trust estimation.
MIT engineers have built and flown the first-ever plane with no moving parts, powered by an 'ionic wind' that generates enough thrust to propel the aircraft over a sustained flight. The lightweight aircraft is silent, doesn't depend on fossil fuels, and produces zero combustion emissions.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed BespoKV, a novel framework that enables high-performance computing (HPC) data systems to thrive with flexibility and scalability. By leveraging key value systems in an innovative way, supercomputers can process huge amounts of data efficiently.
University of Illinois researchers develop an integrated optimization framework to explore the space of possible winglet designs, finding optimal configurations for minimum drag. The Hyper Elliptic Cambered Span (HECS) wing design approach considers both inviscid and viscous drag sources, leading to more efficient flight.
Scientists develop visual pattern that triggers long-term avoidance of high-risk areas by raptors, improving collision detection and reducing plane and wind turbine collisions. The 'looming' effect created by concentric black circles on a white background is effective in repelling birds from specific areas.
A University of Michigan study found that adults with ADHD excel in creative tasks, inventing novel examples and labels, and being less constrained by traditional approaches.
The optical society laser engineers have successfully designed and tested a high-resolution laser system for the GEDI mission, which will study Earth's forests and topography from the International Space Station. The laser systems must withstand heat and vibration for journey to and operation aboard ISS.
SwRI engineers have created a small cooled turbine that can operate thousands of hours without repair, significantly improving drone efficiency. The new design uses a 3D printed impeller to cool the turbine, allowing it to maintain performance while increasing reliability.
A study by Duke University researchers shows that slow and steady animals actually have a faster average speed over their lifetimes than fast but erratic ones. The analysis also applies to modern aircraft design, where jet fighters are surprisingly slow when averaged over their service lifetime.
A team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a method to convert QR codes into complex features hidden within 3D printed parts. The researchers found that this innovation can effectively authenticate genuine parts and prevent counterfeiting, particularly in high-risk sectors such as biomedical and aerospace.
Scientists have developed an interactive machine learning tool that enables designers to test aerodynamic properties of objects in real-time, speeding up the design process. The tool uses polycubes to represent shapes and achieves impressive accuracy, making it a promising solution for engineering applications.
A University of Manchester PhD student has developed a flexible heat shield that utilizes centrifugal forces to stiffen lightweight materials, reducing the need for heavy machinery and enabling low-cost scientific research and recovery of rocket parts. The prototype's design uses aerodynamic drag to slow down during atmospheric entry, ...
Arizona State University scientists create diatom-like nanostructures using DNA origami, improving elasticity and durability. The method has far-reaching applications in optical systems, semiconductor nanolithography, and medical applications.
Researchers developed models to create schedules with built-in flexibility, reducing delay cascades and costs for airlines. By analyzing historical data from US airlines, the team found that tweaking aircraft routing can make a significant impact on delay costs.
Researchers have designed a robotic glider that can skim along the water's surface, riding the wind like an albatross while also surfing the waves like a sailboat. The system can cover a given distance using one-third as much wind as an albatross and traveling 10 times faster than a typical sailboat.
New research at the University of Illinois reveals that wing geometrics can be designed to reduce or eliminate wingtip vortices almost entirely. The study simulated flow about three classic wing configurations, finding that Jones and Prandtl wing designs had weaker wakes. The findings hold implications for aircraft design, flight safet...
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that can integrate fluorine atoms into organic molecules, improving pharmaceuticals and medical imaging technology. The catalyst is specifically tuned to perform the same function as biological enzymes but is more widely applicable and has been designed using computational analysis.
The Large Antenna Positioning System (LAPS) has been developed by NIST to measure transmissions to and from antennas on fast-moving mobile devices, requiring coordination between communication signals and robot motion. The system will help foster the development of 5G wireless and spectrum-sharing systems.
Researchers at the Live Well Collaborative created the Boeing Onboard project, an in-flight concierge service using virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. The system guides passengers through various options and services, utilizing a virtual assistant similar to Alexa or Siri.
A team of engineers and biologists have developed a bioinspired structure that can increase airfoil lift and decrease drag. The new vortex generators are based on the shape of shark scales and have shown significant improvements over traditional designs.
Researchers have developed a new family of aerodynamic configurations, called Hypersonic I-shaped Aerodynamic Configurations (HIAC), which aim to improve the efficiency and lift of hypersonic aircraft. The designs feature an extra wing that captures high-pressure airflow, resulting in a significant increase in lift coefficient and drag...
The Northwestern University team developed highly efficient metadevices at millimeter-wave frequencies using inverse design principles and 3D printing. This approach starts with a function and asks what structure is needed to achieve the desired result, producing unexpected outcomes like broad bandwidth functionality.
The new instrument uses micro Raman spectroscopy to detect organic compounds and minerals associated with biological activity. It can analyze samples up to 10 centimeters away with high resolution, significantly improving previous instruments.
Scientists have developed the first synthetic protein assemblies that encapsulate their own genetic materials and evolve new traits in complex environments. These assemblies are computationally designed and can package RNA with improved efficiency, resist degradation, and increase circulation time in living mice.