Articles tagged with Aviation
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Phil Ansell reviewed over 300 research projects to assess sustainable aviation fuels, finding that multiple energy carriers have potential. Bio jet fuel pathways, power-to-liquid pathways for synthetic kerosene, liquid hydrogen, and battery electric systems were among the options examined.
A new device design inspires improved integrated circuit designs by visualizing electric current flow lines around sharp bends. The research enables better understanding of heat generation in electronic devices, leading to more efficient circuit creation and reduced risk of overheating.
MIT researchers developed a new algorithm that can execute complex maneuvers like loops and rolls for tailsitter aircraft, enabling agile trajectories with fast-changing accelerations. The algorithm uses differential flatness to ensure feasibility and planning in real-time.
Brazilian researchers discovered an enzyme that can replace traditional catalysts in the production of aviation biokerosene, increasing renewable biofuel output. The enzyme, OleTP RN, promotes deoxygenation and is selective for different sizes and types of carbon chain.
Researchers analyzed 1.8 million aircraft operations and 460,000 sUAS flights to identify 24 near-midair collisions. The study suggests extending runway exclusion zones for drones at high-risk airports to improve safety.
Aerovy Mobility, a cloud solutions provider for electric aviation, received $140,000 from the Startup Foundry investment. The company plans to use the funds to launch its live operations tool, VEMS, at vertiports and airports worldwide. Uniform Sierra Aerospace, a drone manufacturer for public safety departments, also benefited from th...
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.
A team of international experts has released the first medical protocol for treating individuals exposed to aircraft cabin fumes. The guidance outlines actions for medical staff and airline staff to take in response to contaminated air supply events.
Researchers have measured the effects of ground on propeller noise for the first time, finding clear differences in noise characteristics. The study aims to inform strategies to reduce aircraft noise while taking off or landing, which is crucial for urban air services.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that accounts for variables such as helicopter resources and operational range to optimize air movement tasks. The model can perform planning functions in under an hour, saving commanders three to five hours compared to traditional methods.
Residual carbon emissions are a major obstacle to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. According to University at Buffalo researcher Holly Jean Buck, the world must reach net-zero this century to limit temperature increase, but residual emissions pose significant challenges.
Researchers developed a robust multiagent trajectory-planner that enables drones to generate collision-free trajectories even with delayed communications. The system achieved a 100% success rate in simulations and flight experiments, guaranteeing safe group operations.
Researchers used a 3D radar scan to reveal that Malaspina Glacier is undercut by channels, making it more vulnerable to melting and potentially contributing significantly to global sea level rise. The glacier's bulk sits below sea level, and its coastal barrier erodes, allowing ocean water to access the glacier and accelerate its retreat.
The Center for Bioenergy Innovation has been renewed with $590 million in funding over five years to develop sustainable jet fuel from nonfood biomass crops and specialty processes. The center aims to reach Tier 1 validation of its jet biofuel, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from commercial aircraft.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a propeller design optimisation method that paves the way for quiet, efficient electric aviation. The new design can reduce noise emissions by up to 5-8 dBA, comparable to going from a normal conversation voice to a quiet room.
The UCF Advanced Air Mobility Conference aims to generate knowledge on the significance and feasibility of AAM, exploring law's impact on its development and potential benefits for urban mobility. Researchers will discuss issues such as property law, jurisdiction, safety, and social equity.
A new Argonne study compares drone energy usage to diesel trucks and electric vehicles, finding that drones consume as much energy as either on average windy days. The models are based on regional energy consumption and facility costs of direct delivery drones under various wind speed scenarios.
Assistant Professor Samik Bhattacharya is studying bird wing morphing to engineer stable solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles and micro air vehicles. His research could lead to improved control during airflow disturbances, reducing anxiety for pilots.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have found that jet engine lubrication oils are a significant source of ultrafine particles. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger inflammatory reactions, potentially contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
A team of WPI researchers has developed a potential breakthrough in green aviation: a recipe for a net-zero fuel for planes that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air. The fuel, made from magnesium hydride and hydrocarbon, could provide up to 8% more range than traditional jet fuel.
The ALARM project has developed a prototype system that monitors natural phenomena affecting aviation, such as volcanic ash and thunderstorms. The system uses satellite data and weather forecasts to predict the impact of aircraft on climate change, identifying 'ECHO areas' with high environmental risk.
Researchers have discovered that the flight patterns of birds can be used to estimate fine-scale environmental conditions and turbulence levels. The team measured bird altitude and motion using GPS and data loggers attached to pigeons, finding a correlation between the birds' behavior and turbulence strength.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
A University of Central Florida researcher has received NASA funding to further develop a novel rocket engine system that could revolutionize space travel by improving engine efficiency and reducing costs. The project focuses on rotating detonation rocket engines, which use high-energy explosions to produce more energy with less fuel.
The UBC Okanagan team has created a novel, passive-de-icing coating that integrates an ice-detecting microwave sensor. This technology enables automatic melting of ice without external energy input, reducing wear-and-tear and energy waste.
The researchers used a new technique to capture the first cross-sectional images of carbon dioxide in the exhaust plume of a commercial jet engine. The images show a ring-structure of high carbon dioxide concentration and a raised region in the middle of the plume.
The aviation industry faces radical solutions to address its growing impact on climate change, with cleaner fuels and carbon offsetting deemed inadequate. The industry needs to invest in new technologies, such as hydrogen and electricity-powered planes, to reduce emissions and mitigate contrails' warming effects.
A UC researcher is using information technology to track and study the endangered little brown myotis bat species in Ohio. The team has established a summer roost at Clendening Marina, where they are collecting data on the population's size and trajectory.
The MIT-led MOXIE experiment has successfully produced oxygen from Mars' thin atmosphere, producing six grams of oxygen per hour across various conditions. This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization, which could support human missions on Mars by generating breathable oxygen and fuel for rockets.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed an AI pilot that can safely navigate crowded airspace by predicting the intent of other aircraft and avoiding collisions. The AI uses vision and natural language processing to communicate with other aircraft, enabling safe and socially compliant navigation.
A team of scientists has designed a system that uses water, CO2, and sunlight to produce synthetic kerosene, which can power long-haul commercial flights. The design has been implemented in the field, and its efficiency is around 4%, with plans to improve it to over 15%.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a new type of fuel that has higher energy density than traditional heavy-duty fuels. The biofuel, called POP-FAMEs, is produced by bacteria fed with plant matter and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions when burned.
Numerical simulations show that sonic booms can be prolonged by the shape of cities, with narrower streets introducing more complex boom propagation. The researchers aim to investigate this phenomenon further to better understand its impact on noise levels in urban areas.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique that enables an autonomous vehicle to plot a provably safe trajectory in highly uncertain situations. The algorithm considers probability of observing different environmental conditions and obstacles, and formulates trajectory planning as a probabilistic optimization problem.
Researchers at Concordia University have developed a method to manufacture adaptive compliant trailing edge morphing wings using 4D printing of composites. This technology can make UAV wings cheaper to manufacture and more efficient in flight, supporting good amounts of load for small or medium-sized vehicles.
Researchers from Skoltech and others develop a simplified method using polarized light to identify icy areas on aircraft plating. This enables lab assistants to accurately measure the time it takes for ice to form, reducing the risk of accidents by up to 90%.
Researchers developed a sustainable jet fuel from agricultural waste that increases energy density and replaces aromatics, reducing soot emissions and contrails. The fuel's properties make it suitable for blending with conventional fuels to meet aviation industry demands.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new material that combines natural inspirations with engineering innovations. The porous objects feature spinodal microstructures, allowing for customizable performance based on material and geometry.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have explored the physical properties of cycloalkanes, finding they may reduce condensation trail formation and soot emissions compared to current fuels. This could lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate climate change impacts on global security.
The study focuses on the Al-Cu-Mg-Ag system used for aircraft structures, revealing patterns that enhance the alloy's heat resistance and strength. The findings will help extend the lifetime of aircraft parts made from these materials, improving overall efficiency and performance.
Australian researchers have mapped the visual systems of hoverflies to detect drones' acoustic signatures, showing a 30-49% improvement in detection rates compared to traditional methods. The technology has potential applications for aviation safety and combatting IED-carrying drones.
MIT engineers mapped airplane contrails over the US in 2020 and found a 20% drop in coverage compared to prepandemic years. The team's computer-vision technique can help predict where contrails form, allowing airlines to reroute planes and reduce aviation's climate impact.
Researchers at New York University found that paper airplanes can achieve stable gliding when the center of mass is in a specific location, unlike conventional airplanes. The study's findings enhance our understanding of flight stability and provide insights into designing small-scale flying machines.
Researchers at TU Darmstadt and Universitat Politècnica de València used HPC resources to develop a new symmetry-based turbulence theory, resolving the closure problem of turbulence. This approach allows for reduced computational grid size and direct access to mean values like air pressure and speed.
Researchers from the University of Illinois developed a system using hyperspectral sensors on planes to quickly and accurately detect nitrogen status in corn crops. The technology achieved up to 85% accuracy and has potential for use in satellites, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about nitrogen side-dressing.
The MIT team developed a levitating rover design using ion thrusters, capable of producing enough repulsive force to hover on the moon and larger asteroids. The concept uses tiny ion beams to charge up the vehicle and boost its natural surface charge.
The study found that plate wettability had no impact on the performance of anti-icing fluids, contradicting previous research. Smooth hydrophobic coatings were shown to prevent ice accretion and reduce water adhesion.
A team of scientists from Tokyo University of Science has developed a machine learning-based tool to predict thermoacoustic oscillations in engines. The tool uses dynamical systems theory and can classify combustion into three states, identifying pressure fluctuations that indicate future combustion oscillations.
A new study suggests that aviation could consume up to one-sixth of the remaining temperature budget to limit warming to 1.5°C by 2050. Reducing CO2 emissions annually is crucial to avoid further warming.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a computationally quick approach to predict molten droplet solidification on a solid surface. The model simulates the solidification process by considering the droplet behavior and heat transfer between the hotter droplet and cooler surface, replicating experiments with high accuracy.
George Mason University researcher Lance Sherry is developing a tool to evaluate optimal Aviation Detachment manpower mix for Navy's Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike capabilities. The goal is to identify the best balance of flight hours and constraints like personnel caps and maintenance requirements.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have created a real-time approach to predict drone flight paths and intentions, enabling safer use of drones. The solution uses statistical techniques and radar data to identify potential threats before they enter restricted airspace.
A research team from Kyoto University assessed eight flight routes during five ground level enhancements to evaluate the risks of solar particle events. The study found that the maximum flight route dose and dose rate arising from major GLE events would need to exceed 1.0 mSv and 80 µSv/h, respectively, for countermeasures to be deemed...
A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost in converting alcohol into jet fuel. The process reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and lowers capital costs for renewable energy production.
The new infrared detector can make two technically important ranges of infrared radiation visible, previously not covered by conventional photodiodes. The sensor can distinguish between substances based on their different absorption properties in the NIR and SWIR range.