Articles tagged with Aircraft
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Researchers have discovered that dynamic stall at high speeds is characterized by tiny flow structures within a vortex, making it difficult to control. By understanding these turbulent fluctuations, they aim to develop ways to interact with and control the flow field, potentially leading to improved aircraft performance.
A new algorithm developed in the European TBO-Met project optimizes flight trajectories to reduce delays and enhance safety. The system can predict and mitigate weather-related uncertainties, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
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 developed a new scheduling system that considers the actual cost of delayed passengers, including missed connections and rebooking costs. The system reduced delay costs by up to 6.4% and minimized flight delays by 8.6-65.4%.
A Colorado State University-led study found episodic releases of methane during daytime-only maintenance operations explain the persistent gap in total emissions accounting. The research used concurrent ground and aircraft measurements to advance basin-level emission quantification methods.
Researchers from Texas A&M and Harvard will investigate the impact of strong summertime convective storms on the stratosphere, collecting data from a high-altitude NASA aircraft. The study aims to understand how these storms can change the chemistry of the lower stratosphere, potentially affecting ozone levels.
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.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered that carbon fibers with small crystals have good electrochemical properties, making them suitable for structural batteries. This innovation could reduce vehicle weight by up to 50% and increase energy storage capacity, while also enhancing safety.
Researchers at University of Illinois have discovered how to integrate ducted fans into wing sections to improve aircraft propulsive efficiency by ingesting low-speed air. This innovation modifies aerodynamic behavior, lift, drag, and pitching moment characteristics.
Researchers from the University of Montana used a flying laboratory to collect data on chemical composition of smoke and its changes over time and travel. The study aims to better predict air quality downwind and understand how fire smoke impacts the climate system.
A three-year project is using unmanned aircraft to gather air quality information during prescribed burns in the Kansas Flint Hills. The data helps NASA verify satellite products and facilitate collaboration between environmental agencies to improve smoke management plans.
A four-engine plane carrying scientists and equipment will fly into wildfire smoke to measure its chemistry, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the effects on air quality, health, and climate. The WE-CAN project will analyze 15-20 smoke-observation flights in late July and August.
Tropical Storm Chris strengthened off the Carolina coast after passing over NASA's Aqua satellite on July 9. The storm showed signs of heavy rainfall potential due to cold cloud top temperatures as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers from CIRES and NOAA are utilizing drones and tethered balloons to collect weather data in the Arctic, filling critical gaps in atmospheric measurements. These unmanned technologies provide a comprehensive understanding of the region's lower atmosphere, enabling more accurate weather and climate forecasts.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center identified an enzyme responsible for vascular damage caused by aircraft noise. The study found that night-time noise has a particularly harmful effect on vessels and brain, and suggest that protecting night-time sleep from noise is crucial.
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.
A recent study published in International Journal of Cardiology found that exposure to extreme noise annoyance increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation by up to 23%. Aircraft noise is identified as a major source of noise pollution, with 84% during the day and 69% at night. The study highlights the importance of measuring noise a...
A Polish-Colombian team developed software using bee and cuckoo behavior to optimize flight routes, achieving measurable financial and environmental savings. The algorithm allows real-time modification of routes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.
A team of scientists deployed the ERICA instrument on a DC-8 aircraft to measure chemical composition of aircraft exhaust aerosols. They tested different kerosene blends and biofuels to reduce soot particles and contrail formation, which could impact climate change.
Researchers developed a new model to characterize ice accumulation on aircraft wings, including mixed ice forms and their effects on adhesion characteristics. The study aims to improve understanding of thermally active nanocoatings to combat ice formation.
The VA001 and sUAS offer one-of-a-kind capabilities, including flying in extreme temperatures and detecting soil moisture levels. These aircraft represent the future of scientific research, enabling NASA scientists to advance state-of-the-art airborne capabilities.
Researchers found bees display unique biases in left- and right-handedness when flying through obstacles, impacting flight efficiency. This discovery could lead to strategies for steering drone aircraft fleets, optimizing safe and collision-free routes.
A recent study published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering suggests that unmanned aircraft pose a wide range of risks to people on the ground, with some small drones potentially safe to operate over people while others present significant injury risk. The research found that design features such as deflection and deformation can ...
Research from the University of Liverpool reveals video game players excel in accuracy and confidence decisions as UAS operators. Professional pilots also perform well, but with less overconfidence compared to VGPs.
A team of scientists flew a high-altitude research aircraft to altitudes up to 20 km above the Asian Monsoon, collecting data on air composition and its impact on global climate. The mission aims to better understand how the monsoon system responds to human emissions of pollutants and climate change.
A new control technique has been developed to achieve tight formation control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reducing power requirements by minimizing vortices effects. The technique uses an adaptive control scheme to estimate and suppress the aerodynamic interference caused by closely flying UAVs, improving overall performance.
A new study finds that rising temperatures will make it harder for many aircraft to take off, with some planes needing to dump weight or wait for cooler hours. The study projects widespread effects on aviation, particularly in hotter parts of the world.
Researchers used a model to project future weight-restrictions on flights due to climate change, finding that five to twenty-five percent of flights may require weight restrictions. The impact will be felt by both mid-sized and large aircraft, with airports in high temperatures or elevations seeing the largest effects.
A University of South Carolina researcher has been awarded a $4.4 million NASA grant to develop new communication systems for aircraft, addressing limitations in ATM networks and increasing safety with unmanned drones sharing airspace.
Researchers studied owls' wings to understand how their unique features can reduce noise in machines like wind turbines and aircraft. Leading-edge serrations can control airflow, improving aerodynamic force and sound production, but a trade-off exists between performance and noise suppression.
Two Duke University-led studies confirm gray seals are making a comeback off the New England and eastern Canadian coasts using research drones, thermal cameras, and Google Earth. The findings suggest there are between 30,000 and 50,000 seals, with conservation efforts being successful.
A long-term study found a significant link between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Exposure to night-time aircraft noise was associated with a doubling in risk of heart flutter and stroke, with every additional 10 dB of noise linked to a 69% heightened risk of high blood pressure.
Researchers have successfully transmitted quantum key distribution signals from a ground transmitter to a moving aircraft, paving the way for global-scale quantum communication. The system achieved secure keys up to 868 kb in length and demonstrated viability of satellite-based quantum communications.
Experts at Euroanaesthesia congress discuss good Samaritan laws in Europe and their implications for doctors. They emphasize the importance of a doctor's duty to help, even if they're not able to assist fully, and note that successful claims against doctors are practically unheard of.
A new scaling law has been developed to predict how objects move through sand, enabling the design of more optimized vehicles. The law, derived from common equations for granular flow, can be used to scale results between small-scale experiments and full-size vehicles.
Scientists will fly nine planes over Alaska and northwest Canada to gather data on changing Arctic ecosystems. The ABoVE field campaign aims to understand how environmental changes affect the local environment and beyond.
The NASA Search and Rescue office is developing second-generation beacons with improved accuracy, which could save thousands of lives worldwide. The new beacons aim to reduce the search area from 2 kilometers to 100 meters, minimizing risk for responders.
A study analyzing Wikipedia articles about airline crashes between 2008 and 2016 found that recent events trigger past memories, with a short-term attention span for recent crashes. Aviation disasters with large numbers of deaths are more memorable than reported events with fewer fatalities.
Scientists developed cone-shaped nanotextures that prevent fog condensation on surfaces in humid environments. These textures, inspired by insect exoskeletons, have excellent anti-fogging abilities and can be applied to materials like silicon, glass, and plastics.
Matthew McGill, a NASA Goddard researcher, has made significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts through the application of lidar technology. His work on the Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument has been successfully operating on the International Space Station for two years.
University of Kansas researchers aim to optimize communications at 5 gigahertz, a frequency three times farther up the dial than previous test ranges. They will combine higher efficiency modulation with forward error control codes to improve signal transmission and reduce power consumption.
Researchers at MIT and NASA have developed a new morphing wing architecture that could greatly simplify the manufacturing process and reduce fuel consumption. The wing's shape can be changed and twisted uniformly along its length by activating two small motors, allowing for improved agility and aerodynamics.
Research by RMIT University and others found technical problems caused 64% of drone accidents, prompting calls for improved airworthiness requirements and mandatory accident reporting. The study highlights the need for robust communications systems to prevent accidents in the rapidly growing drone industry.
Scientists from the University of Warsaw have demonstrated that turbulence can be detected using existing navigation data, which could allow pilots to avoid turbulence and forecast its occurrences. The new method uses flight parameters broadcast by commercial aircraft and has shown accuracy of only 20 km.
A new study suggests that a sonic net around airfields can prevent collisions between birds and aircraft, reducing the number of birds in the area by 80%. The noise levels emitted are equivalent to those of a conversation in a busy restaurant, deterring bird species at high risk of strike such as starlings.
Scientists have developed a liquid-like substance called self-lubricating organogels (SLUGs) that can make wings and surfaces so slippery that ice cannot adhere. The SLUGs technology has potential applications beyond aircraft, including antifouling coatings in packaging, paints, and more.
Researchers use satellite data to quantify cloud base updraft speeds and aerosol particles' ability to create cloud droplets, providing critical information for understanding climate change. The study aims to reduce the uncertainty around global warming estimates by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees by the end of the 21st century.
Researchers found that airlines focus on near misses linked to past accidents, but overlook those that haven't yet caused an incident. Airlines can improve by expanding data collection and vigilance towards deviations from normal procedures.
Researchers at MIT have developed a queuing model that predicts taxiing time, allowing air traffic controllers to direct departures more efficiently. The model led to significant fuel savings in tests at various US airports, with each gate-held aircraft saving 16-20 gallons of fuel.
A Dartmouth-MIT study finds that the DOT rule significantly increases passenger delays due to increased flight cancellations, despite reducing long tarmac delays.
Researchers create novel VTD mechanism for conventional propeller engine UAVs, allowing redirection of thrust to improve maneuverability. The proposed technique demonstrates improved performance in plateau missions with enhanced stability and control.
A UCL-led team used sophisticated imaging to track the degradation of disposable Lithium batteries in real-time, revealing internal structural damage that affects performance. The study provides valuable insights for manufacturers to predict battery performance and optimize material design.
NCAR will develop a revolutionary forecasting system to predict wildland fire behavior in Colorado, capturing critical feedbacks between fires and local weather. The system will provide unprecedented detail about interactions between weather and fire, helping firefighters and the public.
A new approach calculates an objective probability of treatment effectiveness, potentially revealing up to 20% of older treatments were mistakenly labelled as ineffective. Researchers may be dismissing treatments with small degrees of effectiveness due to flawed evaluation methods.
Hurricane Patricia intensified rapidly off Mexico's southwestern coast, breaking records for the strongest Eastern North Pacific hurricane. NASA satellites and instruments tracked its rapid intensification, revealing frigid cloud top temperatures that enabled heavy rainfall.
NASA imagery suggests Hurricane Joaquin's strongest winds are in the north and northwestern quadrants, stronger than 36 meters per second. The hurricane is currently a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph.
Carnegie Mellon University has established an analytics lab with Boeing to develop AI-powered solutions for aerospace data. The lab aims to capitalize on the vast amounts of data generated in aircraft design, construction, and operation, enabling safer, more reliable, and efficient aircraft operations.
A new article in the New England Journal of Medicine offers life-saving guidance on handling mid-air medical emergencies. Healthcare providers are urged to plan ahead, using good judgment to protect themselves and others.
Danny degenerated into an elongated area of low pressure near the Windward Islands, producing 2-4 inches of rain over several islands. A second low-pressure system is developing in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, with potential for tropical depression or storm formation
Researchers analyzed toilet waste from international flights to identify disease-causing microorganisms and resistance genes. The study found geographical differences in resistance genes and microorganism prevalence, highlighting the potential for airports as global surveillance sites.