Articles tagged with Aviation
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm that enables drones to navigate complex obstacle courses at high speeds without crashing. The new approach combines simulations with real-world experiments, allowing drones to adapt to challenging aerodynamics and find the fastest routes.
The UW team's prototype reactor uses a gaming graphics card to control plasmas, achieving high-speed and precision control. This method enables the creation of longer-living plasmas that operate closer to conditions required for controlled fusion power.
A global lockdown reduced cirrus cloud formation by 9% and density by 2%, with a positive impact on the climate. This study demonstrates that aircraft contrails contribute to additional cirrus clouds and global warming.
The HF-START simulator estimates and provides shortwave propagation information in real-time under realistic ionospheric fluctuations based on ground-based observations and model calculations. The system allows users to visualize radio wave propagation paths and clarify the impact of space weather on communication.
The ALARM project aims to develop a warning system that predicts potential hotspots of climate change, helping aircraft avoid areas with high CO2 emissions. The system combines atmospheric data with Artificial Intelligence algorithms to provide quick alerts for controllers and pilots.
Researchers propose a hybrid-electric plane design that eliminates 95 percent of aviation's nitrogen oxide emissions, reducing premature deaths by 92 percent. The system combines a conventional gas turbine with an electric generator to power electrically driven propellers or fans.
Etihad Airways has joined the £65 million Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) at Cranfield University to collaborate on reducing aircraft emissions, enhancing passenger experience, and increasing aircraft reliability. The airline brings expertise in sustainability and operational efficiency to the project.
Researchers at UTIA will evaluate regional biomass supply chains for domestic fuel production and rural economic development. The project aims to increase economic efficiency, enhance sustainability awareness, and reduce renewable fuel costs.
Creating work bubbles with strict separation can reduce company-wide COVID-19 outbreaks and allow essential businesses to function. Scheduling rotating workdays, daily symptom screening, and rapid isolation are key strategies for containing outbreaks.
A new paper suggests that COVID-19 policy makers can improve transparency and accountability by learning from the aviation industry. The research emphasizes the importance of assurance cases to explain model assumptions and their limitations, enabling policymakers to critically review decisions.
New research reveals aviation's significant impact on climate change, with non-carbon dioxide emissions making up two-thirds of its effects. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector's contribution to global warming.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted discrepancies in EU state aid provided to airlines, airports, and air transport stakeholders. Dr. Steven Truxal's article identifies the varying levels of support offered by individual EU states, with some conditions attached.
Researchers developed a key technology to produce aviation-grade fuels from wood waste. The method uses hydrocracking to reduce lignin oil's high viscosity, making it suitable for industrial use. This breakthrough allows Korea to proactively meet jet fuel greenhouse emissions regulations.
Researchers at Lehigh University have identified a causal link between high-level noise exposure and low birth weight. The study found that mothers living close to Newark Liberty International Airport, exposed to noise levels over 55 dB threshold, had a 22% increased risk of having a low birth weight baby.
The study found that COVID-19 will likely lead to a smaller, consolidated sector in the future, with full-service network carriers facing significant losses. Regional airlines may benefit from being able to adjust feeding capacity for larger carriers.
Researchers have created a new 'sun clock' using 200 years of sunspot observations to map solar activity over 18 solar cycles. The analysis reveals sharp transitions between quiet and active periods in solar activity, allowing scientists to estimate the risk of future solar superstorms.
Researchers study pterosaur fossils to understand their wing anatomy and flight capabilities, revealing novel tactics for bioinspired flight technology. By analyzing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of these ancient creatures, scientists may be able to overcome hurdles still hindering man-made flight.
A new international advisory system is working to keep aircraft crew and passengers safe from space weather impacts. The system predicts disruptions from solar activity and helps airlines adjust flight paths to minimize impacts on navigation and communications systems.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced the 2020 International Student Conference winners, recognizing outstanding research in aerospace engineering. The top three winners are from Ohio State University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Georgia Institute of Technology.
The Air Force has awarded a $1 million grant to PlaneEnglish, a simulator developed by three Purdue University alumni, to enhance communication skills for pilots. The technology addresses key needs for the Department of Defense and is being used in dozens of airports across the US.
Jesse Little, associate professor at University of Arizona, recognized for outstanding contributions to aeronautics and astronautics. He conducts research on subsonic and supersonic flows, leading the Turbulence and Flow Control Laboratory.
Researchers detected inorganic iodine in the stratosphere at a concentration of 0.77 parts per trillion by volume, suggesting it plays a crucial role in ozone depletion. Iodine emissions from humans may increase particle formation and continue to affect stratospheric ozone levels.
A new study from MIT found that aviation emissions cause twice as much damage to air quality as to the climate. The researchers developed metrics for comparing climate and air quality impacts of aviation emissions.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a miniature soft robot that can crawl with inchworm-like motion using electrothermal actuators. The technology could revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, security, and wearable electronics.
Purdue University researchers have developed a novel micropropulsion system for nanosatellite applications, providing a robust, efficient option with reduced contamination risks. The system uses a liquid fed pulsed-plasma thruster and has the potential to address current challenges in CubeSat micropropulsion systems.
Researchers at MIT have designed surfaces that cause droplets to bounce away from surfaces, reducing contact time and area of impact. The new method focuses on minimizing the spatial extent of contact, creating a bowl-shaped splash pattern that redirects droplets upward and prevents icing or soaking.
Scientists from NUST MISIS developed a new strong Al-Ni-La composite material that combines flexibility, strength, and lightness. The material uses ultrafine structure to form a reinforcing structure, making it more efficient than traditional aluminum-based composites.
University of Washington researchers create a novel solution to reduce impact forces using origami-inspired metamaterials. The team's design softens impact forces by promoting relaxation stresses in the chain, reducing stress on rocket legs during landing.
The Stanford Student Robotics club developed an affordable, open-source quadruped robot called Stanford Doggo, which can perform acrobatic tricks and navigate challenging terrain. The robot's cost is estimated under $3,000 and all components can be bought online.
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.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation has honored three K-12 educators for their outstanding contributions to STEM education. The winners, Charlotte Cook, Patricia Palazzolo, and Megan L. Tucker, have inspired their students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
A new study suggests that nurses' subjective experience of work demand plays a crucial role in the quality of care they provide. The study found that perceived workload was consistently associated with missed essential care activities, regardless of staffing ratios or patient acuity.
The Army Research Laboratory has granted over $130,000 to Kent State University's Blake Stringer to study propulsion systems for intermediate-sized drones. The goal is to create a drone that can serve various functions, such as supply delivery and personnel extraction.
Ken M. Mitchell, a mechanical engineering graduate student at the University of Memphis, has won the 2018 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Award for his research paper on thermal conductivity and specific heat measurements. The award recognizes his outstanding scholarship in astronautics and aeronautics.
Graduate student Geoffrey Andrews from Purdue University has won the 2018 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement in Aeronautics. He received the award for his paper on hybrid length scale similarity solution for swirling turbulent jets, which explores a crucial aspect of hypersonic aerodynamics.
Researchers found that pilots performed significantly better in flight simulations when CO2 levels were between 700 ppm and 1,500 ppm compared to 2,500 ppm. The negative effects of CO2 on flight performance became more pronounced with longer simulation times.
Russian scientists developed smart materials to create high-strength and plastic alloys, enabling efficient use in microelectronics and aviation. The project's goal is to achieve homogeneity of the microstructure and nano-dispersity, resulting in a combination of high strength and plasticity.
Scientists use mini-airplanes to study particle formation in the atmosphere, which can influence climate change. The measurements reveal different scenarios leading to the formation of new particles in various air layers.
Researchers at the University of Bristol used high-resolution meteorological modeling to study volcanic ash transport patterns. They identified how wind flow around the volcano topography controls ash deposit patterns, influencing ash deposition over hundreds of km from St Vincent, including on nearby islands and ships.
A study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers found that general aviation pilots had difficulty understanding various types of weather information, including METAR reports and radar displays. The findings suggest that improved pilot training and more effective weather display designs could help advance aviation safety.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material, stainless steel composite metal foam (CMF), that offers much more protection than existing armor materials while lowering the weight remarkably. The CMF can block blast pressure and fragmentation from high-explosive incendiary rounds with minimal weight loss.
Researchers investigated low-level turbulence at HKIA using Doppler LIDAR system and radiosonde data. They found that southerly wind strength, influenced by large-scale circulation, generates terrain-induced turbulence.
Dr. James L. Burch, SwRI VP, inducted into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame for his leadership and research on space science and magnetosphere interaction. He has contributed significantly to NASA missions, including New Horizons and Juno.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has implemented a $20 million stormwater/glycol treatment system to address community concerns and meet operational requirements. The system successfully eliminated the airport's contribution to nuisance biofilm growth in Trout Creek, improving the local ecosystem.
Cloud seeding with silver iodide resulted in the formation of ice crystals within 30 minutes, which grew up to 1 mm in diameter and eventually became precipitation as snow. The study provides valuable insights into the process of snow formation via cloud seeding, paving the way for further research.
A study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers found that solar radio emissions can degrade 5G network transmissions by up to 15% in hot weather. However, effective communication links are possible at distances of up to 134 meters indoors and 110 meters outdoors, even in hilly urban areas.
New research published in Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that basic communication breakdowns can lead to catastrophic failures in the NHS. The study revealed that 709,000 items of clinical correspondence failed to be delivered between 2011 and 2016, with potential harm suffered by around 1,788 patients.
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.
A study found that competency-based cabin service training for airline flight attendants improves customer satisfaction levels. The training, which focuses on four nationally recognized competency-focused units, resulted in statistically significant differences in customer satisfaction ratings among passengers.
Assistant professor Namiko Yamamoto is using a $447,663 grant from the Office of Naval Research to explore the fundamental toughening mechanisms of novel ceramic composites. Her goal is to develop ceramics with enhanced fracture toughness and damage tolerance for high-temperature aerospace applications.
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.
The global aviation industry aims to halve its net carbon emissions by 2050 through improved engines and biofuels, with over 2,500 flights using alternative fuels already completed. The transition is underway, but more funding and policy support are needed for biofuel production
Researchers propose a new conceptual model to analyze airship cargo capabilities, highlighting benefits over traditional vehicles in terms of access to coastal ports, airports, and remote regions. The value-density cargo pyramid could disrupt freight transport markets and alter world trade patterns.
The University of Oklahoma and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have been selected to lead the FAA's new Air Transportation Center of Excellence. The center will focus on researching innovative training methods, including part-task training, modeling, and adaptive learning technologies.
Sampath Vengate's innovative design uses weighted flight to turn the aircraft, eliminating the need for ailerons and elevators. This technology has potential applications for stealth and hypersonic aircraft, cutting down on radar signatures and fuel consumption.
The University of Würzburg researchers developed Skith, a technology for the world's first wireless satellite, allowing for reduced design effort and costs. The system uses miniaturized high-speed real-time radio modules with short ranges, boosting technical reliability and flexibility.
A new study by the University of Reading predicts that climate change will delay transatlantic flights due to accelerated jet stream winds. This will result in longer journey times, increased fuel costs, and worsened environmental impacts.
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 study by UCSB and NASA reveals that humans are inherently bad at watching computers work, with distractions and daydreaming leading to failures in practical monitoring tasks. Pilots missed 25% of altitude crossings despite high levels of cockpit automation, highlighting the challenges of task monitoring.