Could Aerodynamics In Aircraft Be Boosted With A Bird-Like Design?
In the United States alone, air carriers use 20 billion gallons of jet fuel and create 3% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Engineers at USC are creating new plane designs and alternative energy sources for engines that could cut back on fuel usage.
“For a long time, we’ve been wondering about the basics of aircraft design,” Spedding said. “Is it at an optimum? How do we know an optimum even exists? And if it’s not at an optimum, why not? And if it is, has that ever been demonstrated?”[1]
The engineers weighed the pros and cons of 3 designs.
First, the current aircraft design, deemed not the most optimal due to the drag the tail causes. Secondly, a blended wing design which has structural flaws. Finally, a bird-like design, which scientists think might be the future of aircraft design, possibly increasing aerodynamic efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
“We have a dedicated fuselage with a shape designed for low-drag-per-unit volume, and it’s not compromised by the wing at all, which in turn is not compromised by trying to fit in with the body,” Spedding said.
“If an optimum exists, then we assert that this is the most likely candidate.”
To read the full article, click here.
[1]http://news.usc.edu/136946/usc-viterbi-engineers-consider-redesigned-fuel-efficient-airplanes/
Latest
Consumers Want More Grocery Store Prepared Meals. How Should Grocers Adapt?
The consumer dollar has spoken: the best thing since sliced bread is sliced turkey. A new FMI report, the FMI Power of Foodservice at Retail, seems to show that deli-prepared food purchases are up 9.3% compared to 2019 numbers and up 2.4% year-over-year in unit sales. It’s clear that consumer appetite for grocery store prepared […]
Robotics in Early Learning Can Be Essential in How Students React to STEM Literacy
Early learning robotics can be essential in how students react to STEM literacy and with large gaps In STEM achievement persisting across the U.S., access to technological resources can make a significant impact. K-12 education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the disruption could be mitigated by introducing the latest and innovative technology into […]
The European Space Agency Lunar Launch Programs and Service Initiatives to Watch in 2023
The European Space Agency is making strides in its efforts to commercialize space, with a focus on sustained exploration. What are they doing to achieve this? According to the ESA, it all starts with service initiatives. A recent panel discussion at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, Germany revealed that the ESA is growing its […]
