Technical Briefs, Design Engineering News

Keyword: Aircraft

Technology Leaders: Electronics & Computers

The Problem of Obsolete Avionics

Learn different strategies for addressing outdated avionics, like adding in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products.

Briefs: Energy

Fuel Cell Boosts Electric-Powered Vehicles

This fuel cell could power a variety of transportation modes such as unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Conformal, Lightweight, Aerogel-Based Antenna

The flexible antenna was designed for active aeronautical satellite communications.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-Enabled Actuators

SMA tube elements drive rotary and ring gear motion in compact, powerful actuators.

Briefs: Aerospace

Method Detects Onset of Destructive Oscillations in Aircraft Turbines

Early flutter detection will help in the development of safer and more eco-friendly aircraft turbines.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

High-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Monitoring Meteorological Parameters

The system uses infrasonic acoustics for weather monitoring and for drone or UAV activity.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Drones Use Machine Learning to Detect Landmines

Dangerous “butterfly” landmines can be detected using low-cost drones and infrared cameras.

Briefs: Aerospace

Insect-Sized Agile Drones

These tiny aerial robots can operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions.

Briefs: Materials

Copolyimide Surface-Modifying Coating

The coating repels insects on aircraft wing surfaces and motor vehicles and reduces surface imperfections on other low-friction or non-stick surfaces.

Briefs: Aerospace

Winglet with Injected Flow

Injection of air at the trailing edge of a winglet further reduces drag.

Q&A: Data Acquisition

Q&A: Team of Robots Maps Composition of an Environment

New autonomous robotic devices can survey hazardous or difficult-to-reach sites faster than humans.

NASA Spinoff: Robotics, Automation & Control

Astronaut Experience Inspires Single-Handed Drone Flight Controller

The interface enables one person to accomplish tasks that previously required two sets of hands.

Briefs: Aerospace

Hinge Design Helps Quadrotors Climb

The new hinge is the key to get loadbearing, large quadrotors to climb a few dozen feet in seconds.

Briefs: Propulsion

Hybrid-Electric Plane Concept Could Reduce Air Pollution

The proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent.

Articles: Energy

Cleaner, Faster Flight is on the Horizon

These 6 advancements are leading us to cleaner, faster aircraft.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Navigation Algorithm Enables Drones to Learn Acrobatic Maneuvers

Autonomous quadcopters can be trained using simulations to increase their speed, agility, and efficiency.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Turbulence Model for Design of Aircraft Capable of Handling Extreme Scenarios

This model can be used to design better aircraft without having to wait months for supercomputer calculations.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Laser-Light-Based Accelerometer

The tiny device accurately measures acceleration in smaller navigation systems and other devices.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

High-Temperature Ni-Based Superalloy Composition

The alloy has applications in jet turbine disks and other high-stress and/or high-temperature environments.

Briefs: Aerospace

New Mathematical Tool Can Select the Best Sensors for The Job

A mathematical framework can help engineers make informed decisions about which sensors to use and where they must be positioned in aircraft and other machines.