A new study found that cosmic radiation levels at commercial flight altitudes rise as solar activity falls, with levels potentially increasing by 40-60% during solar minimum conditions. The researchers also found a clear vertical pattern in radiation levels, with a peak around 17-20 km above Earth.
NTU Singapore's eVTOL aircraft successfully flew to heights above 90 meters and speeds of over 120 km/h, generating critical data on its performance. The aircraft demonstrated its ability to hover, fly using its fixed wings, and transition between modes, marking a milestone for Singapore's aerospace sector.
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
Melchor Antuñano joins UCF College of Medicine to design new procedures and technologies for astronauts, pilots, and airplane passengers. He will also create a new master’s degree in aerospace medicine and a residency program for aerospace medicine physicians.
A team of computer scientists at the University of California San Diego developed a device that can take over communications between two key flight computers on a Boeing 737 by plugging into an unused maintenance port. This attack can be carried out in under 60 seconds, posing a significant risk to aviation security.
A comprehensive study has consolidated knowledge on the production of green hydrogen for jet fuel, highlighting its potential to transform the sector. To make it commercially viable, significant research is needed on hydrogen infrastructure needs, refuelling systems, and policy frameworks.
The Bird Sonic system is being used to prevent bird strikes at Narita International Airport and nine other Japanese airports. The system uses high-frequency sound to deter birds from approaching aircraft, reducing the risk of collisions and accidents.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Electra, a hybrid-electric aviation company, unveiled an advanced airliner concept that boasts a 17% efficiency improvement over standard aircraft. The design features a wide body and electric fans at the rear to reduce drag and provide thrust.
A machine learning model, trained on 19 key parameters, can predict wind shear events with a minimum of 15 seconds warning. The model's outputs showed deviations from real outcomes within 5% across all forecast horizons, suggesting improved aviation safety.
The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
SourceSpringer·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 7, 2024
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.