Aviation
Articles tagged with Aviation
Surface-draped fiber captured plane’s flight details at nevada airfield
The study demonstrates the potential for rapid deployment of fiber optic cable and Distributed Acoustic Sensing in environments where burying the cable isn't feasible, capturing aircraft speed and maneuvering.
UAlbany atmospheric scientist contributes to international study on contrail formation
Contrails still form under modern 'lean-burn' aircraft engines, defying scientists' hopes that reducing soot emissions would limit their formation and warming effect. Researchers combined real-world measurements with advanced modeling to understand contrail formation under modern engine conditions.
From industry insight to hands-on operations: experiential learning at Haneda Airport
A joint talent development program between Okayama University of Science and ANA launched a two-day experiential learning experience at Haneda Airport. Students observed aircraft maintenance, flight simulators, and engine inspections, gaining a clearer understanding of aviation operations.
Changing flight paths could slash aviation’s climate impact, study suggests
Researchers suggest changing flight paths to avoid contrails could slash aviation's global warming impact by nearly half. Implementing such a policy could recover around 9% of the temperature budget the world has left before breaching the Paris Agreement's 2°C limit.
Dr. Ben Thacker named SwRI chief operating officer
Dr. Ben Thacker has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), directing its technical divisions and internal research program. Under his leadership, the institute aims to strengthen its operational foundation to support innovation.
Cars and planes could avoid hazardous ice, freezing rain with new sensors
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.
Global aviation emissions could be halved through maximising efficiency gains, new study shows
A new study co-led by the University of Oxford found that global aviation emissions can be reduced by 50-75% through combined strategies to boost efficiency. The study reveals enormous variability in emissions efficiency, with some routes producing nearly 900 grams of CO2 per kilometre for each paying passenger.
Study: More eyes on the skies will help planes reduce climate-warming contrails
Contrails formed from plane exhaust meet icy air, growing into threads that trap heat and contribute to warming the planet. Combining images from geostationary and low-Earth-orbiting satellites may provide a more complete picture of contrail life and radiative properties.
Machine learning-guided gradient dual-proton conducting catalytic layers for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells in aviation
A new study proposes a machine-learning-guided strategy to improve high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) for aviation. The researchers designed a gradient dual-proton-conducting system that enables single cells to achieve record power densities at 160°C while maintaining long-term operational stability.
AMS 2026 Meeting showcases atmospheric science and the “human factor”
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
Seismic sensors used to identify types of aircraft flying over Alaska
Researchers used seismic sensors to identify the type of aircraft flying over Alaska, determining flight parameters and source frequencies. The study collected data from hundreds of flights, distinguishing between piston, turboprop, jet, and helicopter aircraft.
Lightning-prediction tool could help protect the planes of the future
A new physics-based approach predicts how lightning strikes aircraft, identifying vulnerable regions for protection. The tool can be applied to any shape of aircraft, including unconventional designs.
Advanced flight emissions calculator built by Surrey shows the real cost of flying
The ATP-DEC calculator provides accurate and transparent information on carbon disclosure, helping align aviation with climate targets. It captures real-world variations and life cycle emissions, making it a crucial tool for policymakers, airlines, and passengers.
Disruptive investments can build a cleaner aviation industry
A new paper proposes an Aviation Sustainability Index to assess investments in cleaner technologies, helping investors distinguish between modest improvements and game-changing solutions. The approach aims to accelerate real progress toward decarbonization by rewarding companies willing to take calculated risks on breakthrough technolo...
AMS science preview: global heat record false? Rainier storms
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
Metal, melted, mastered
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an AI-powered system to detect flaws in wire-arc additive manufacturing, a faster approach to producing complex components. The technology enables real-time defect detection and correction, reducing waste and improving quality.
A new comprehensive safety assessment framework for liquid hydrogen storage systems in UAVs
A comprehensive safety assessment framework for liquid hydrogen storage systems in UAVs has been developed, addressing thermal performance and structural integrity challenges. The framework integrates multiple analyses, including thermal insulation, structural analysis, fatigue testing, and impact assessments.
Flying blind: aviation experts call for more pilot training amid poor general aviation safety record
A new study highlights human factors and training deficiencies as leading contributors to fatal general aviation accidents. Researchers recommend more affordable recurrent training methods, including in-air training, flight simulators, and emerging technologies.
Illinois researchers pair nanocatalysts, food waste to reduce carbon emissions in aviation
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a nanocatalyst that converts food waste into sustainable aviation fuel. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, demonstrate the production of an alternative to traditional jet fuel using non-noble metal carbide catalysts.
Female pilots perform better under pressure, study finds
A new study led by University of Waterloo researchers found that female pilots tend to make fewer flight control errors under stress, despite similar visual attention patterns. The findings challenge gender bias in aviation performance and suggest a need for more inclusive pilot training and evaluation systems.
Research explores human factors in general aviation plane crashes
A study of 200 pilots found that errors caused by lack of skills or poor decisions often contributed to inflight loss of control incidents. The research highlights the need for better pilot training, particularly in recovering from out-of-control situations like spins and spirals.
New fuel cell could enable electric aviation
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.
Next-generation aviation safety: system-of-systems safety concept unveiled
The paper proposes a new safety concept based on system-of-systems (SoS) perspective to address challenges in civil aviation transportation system (CATS) safety management. The SoS safety concept includes three core elements: safety capability, safety logic, and safety architecture.
SwRI provides rapid response to address critical aging aircraft issue
A large crack was unexpectedly found in a T-38 Talon's cockpit longeron, prompting the US Air Force to ground its entire fleet for visual inspections. SwRI's risk and damage tolerance analyses helped determine an optimal inspection schedule, minimizing downtime and maintaining safety.
NASA taps UTA to shape future of autonomous aviation
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has been awarded a $1 million NASA grant to develop safety systems for drones and unmanned flying vehicles. The project aims to create an adaptive safety assurance architecture through extensive simulations and experimental testing, making future advanced air mobility vehicles smarter and safer.
Airlines with more women at the top are more efficient
Research led by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya analyzed 45 airline groups before and after the Covid pandemic, finding that airlines with greater gender diversity on their boards and in executive teams exhibited greater efficiency. Airlines could improve efficiency by 1.9% to 3.2% if they increase female representation to at least 25%.
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Unplanned oil supply outages caused by geopolitical instability are throwing airline stock markets into chaos, making it more expensive to fly. The study highlights the potential impact on investment strategies, stock market stability and long-term financial planning in the aviation sector.
Skin-inspired de-icing surface revolutionizes ice removal with durability and efficiency
Researchers developed a durable de-icing surface inspired by human skin's layered structure, achieving exceptional performance with low ice adhesion strength. The surface design creates extensive wrinkling at the ice-substrate interface, allowing ice to shed under its own weight without external energy inputs.
Leading Sasol scientist appointed as Industrial Research Fellow at HZB
Dr. Denzil Moodley, a leading expert in Fischer-Tropsch technology, joins HZB to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The appointment strengthens the partnership between HZB and Sasol, combining cutting-edge research with practical industrial insights.
One in four chance per year that rocket junk will enter busy airspace
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.
Finding the most efficient carbon-neutral aircraft for your flight
Researchers developed an interactive tool to compare the efficiency of four sustainable propulsion systems: e-SAF, battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and hydrogen combustion. The tool considers factors like renewable electricity required, sustainability, and cost. It aims to provide a strategy for thinking about sustainable aviation...
Team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene
A team of researchers has created an additive that can improve the functional characteristics of sustainable aviation fuels by adding aromatic hydrocarbons. The additive is made from recycled polystyrene and has been shown to perform almost as well as ethylbenzene derived from fossil fuels.
Switching planes for trains to decarbonise the great British getaway
A new study suggests that a significant proportion of UK holiday flights could be replaced with rail travel, resulting in substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The researchers found that most British people do not travel far for their holidays, making rail a viable alternative for short-haul flights.
Green flight paths could unlock sustainable aviation, new research suggests
Researchers propose targeting high-volume, long-haul routes for green flight paths to demonstrate the economic viability of sustainable aviation fuels. The concept aims to drive decarbonisation and international cooperation for a net-zero aviation sector by 2050.
Researchers are making jet engines fit for the hydrogen age
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.
Climate change: Significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions from private aviation
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.
SwRI receives $23 million in U.S. Air Force contracts to sustain aging aircraft
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will help the US Air Force modernize methods to sustain three fleets of military aircraft, including the T-38 Talon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and B-52 Stratofortress. The institute's analyses will aid in determining when structural repairs are necessary.
Fueling greener aviation with hydrogen
Researchers used computer modeling to study the feasibility and challenges of hydrogen-powered aviation, suggesting that improvements in fuel cell power could eliminate environmental impact. The team's model indicated that switching from traditional jet fuel to hydrogen fuel could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%.
Falling for it: A micro-scale look at how parachute fibers act under stress
Parachute fibers' behavior under stress was studied using micro-CT scans, revealing they are not isotropic and respond differently to increasing loads. The findings inform processes like parachute assembly and improve models for screening parachute materials, making industries more cost-effective and time-efficient.
New continuous reaction process can help turn plant waste into sustainable aviation fuel
Washington State University scientists developed a continuous reaction process to produce lignin-based jet fuel from agricultural waste, reducing carbon footprint and emissions. The new technology has the potential to replace fossil fuel-derived compounds and make sustainable fuels fully "drop-in" capable.
Assistant professor's $1.1M NASA grant to develop computational tool aiding hypersonic vehicle design
Vilas Shinde, an MSU assistant professor, has received a $1.13 million NASA grant to develop a new simulation tool for designing hypersonic vehicles. The project aims to improve the accuracy of boundary layer transition predictions, crucial for aerodynamic design and space exploration.
Study: Flying keeps getting safer
A new MIT study analyzes airline safety trends over the past few decades and finds that commercial flight has become roughly twice as safe each decade since the 1960s. The study estimates that passengers are about 39 times safer than they were in the 1968-1977 period, with a 1 in 13.7 million risk of fatality per boarding.
Study on planet-warming contrails “a spanner in the works” for aviation industry
A new study reveals that modern commercial aircraft create longer-lived planet-warming contrails than older aircraft, potentially offsetting their lower carbon emissions. The research highlights the challenges of reducing aviation's climate impact, with private jets also found to produce more contrails than previously thought.
Climate change will bring more turbulence to flights in the Northern Hemisphere
Researchers predict a rise in clear air turbulence over most northern mid-latitude regions due to climate change, particularly in North Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East. The study found that the probability of clear air turbulence will increase with each degree of warming, posing a significant threat to aviation safety.
Are sustainable aviation fuels truly sustainable?
A new study provides detailed estimates of land use change emissions for six sustainable aviation fuel production pathways, highlighting the importance of crop location and management. The results show that jatropha and miscanthus have lower DLUC emissions, while soybeans may not meet CORSIA's sustainability criteria.
Electric aviation: Batteries that stay strong for the flight duration
A team of scientists and engineers designed an electrolyte that maintains high power delivery during charging and discharging cycles. This innovation addresses the key challenge of low power delivery at landing stages in electric aircraft, where batteries are not fully charged.
The future takes flight: Autonomous eVTOLs transforming air mobility
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.
Video analysis of Iceland 2010 eruption could improve volcanic ash forecasts for aviation safety
Researchers analyzed a 17-minute film of the eruption to understand how the ash cloud grew upwards and outwards. They calculated the eruption rate, which determines ash cloud extent, and found that it dropped by about half during the eruption.
Airplane noise exposure may increase risk of chronic disease
A new study found that people exposed to higher levels of airplane noise were more likely to have a higher body mass index, an indicator for obesity that can lead to cardiometabolic diseases. The study highlights the role of environmental factors in shaping health outcomes.
Do shape-memory alloys remember past strains in their life?
Researchers at Texas A&M University are investigating the historical effects of strain on shape-memory alloys to improve predictive capabilities. They will use a synergistic experimental and numerical approach to understand and predict history effects in these alloys, with potential applications in heart stents and airplane wing flaps.
For sustainable aviation fuel, researchers engineer a promising microorganism for precursor production
Scientists used advanced computing tools to engineer Pseudomonas putida for isoprenol production, achieving the highest reported yield. The research paves the way for a sustainable bioproduction process for jet fuel by optimizing isoprenol production in P. putida.
Companies can capitalize on crises to thrive in their industry, study finds
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's leap into low-altitude airspace management: a journey toward integrated UAS operations
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.
Over £25 million for research centers in water security, net zero aviation, and hydrogen
Cranfield University has secured over £25 million to establish two new Centres for Doctoral Training, focusing on advancing water security and net zero aviation. The centres will equip students with high-level skills and technologies to drive positive change in these critical areas.
How to make difficult-to-cut materials and components “easy-to-cut”?
Nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining uses vibration, laser, electricity, etc. to improve machinability and reduce process forces in processing difficult-to-cut materials and components. The technology provides a feasible way to enhance material removal rate and surface quality.
The West is best to spot UFOs
A new study analyzed 98,000 UAP sighting reports over a 20-year period, finding that the majority occurred in western parts of the US. The researchers identified 'hot spots' with high numbers of reports and 'cold spots' with low numbers.
Major climate benefits with electric aircraft
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.
New theoretical framework unlocks mysteries of synchronization in turbulent dynamics
Researchers developed a new framework to understand small-scale turbulent flows, shedding light on the chaotic butterfly effect. The framework uses chaos theory and synchronization theory to explain the critical length scale, which affects data assimilation methods.
UCF receives 3 minority serving institution awards to promote collaborations with NASA
The University of Central Florida has been awarded $50,000 each by the NASA Minority University Research and Education Project Partnership Annual Notification (MPLAN) awards. The research focuses on developing wireless multimodal sensors and studying sustainable aviation fuels to reduce environmental impact.