Aviation News

September 23, 2023

Top Headlines

Sustainable Energy for Aviation: What Are Our Options?

Sep. 20, 2023 — Scientists and industry leaders worldwide are looking for answers on how to make aviation sustainable by 2050 and choosing a viable sustainable fuel is a major sticking point. Aerospace engineers took a full inventory of the options to make a ...

Battery-Free Robots Use Origami to Change Shape in Mid-Air

Sep. 13, 2023 — Researchers have developed small robotic devices that can change how they move through the air by 'snapping' into a folded position during their descent. Each device has an onboard battery-free actuator, a solar power-harvesting circuit and ...

Challenge Accepted: High-Speed AI Drone Overtakes World-Champion Drone Racers

Aug. 30, 2023 — In a milestone for artificial intelligence (AI), the AI system 'Swift' has beaten the world champions in drone racing -- a result that seemed unattainable just a few years ago. The AI-piloted drone ...

Planning Algorithm Enables High-Performance Flight

Aug. 23, 2023 — New algorithms for trajectory planning and control of fixed-wing 'tailsitter' aircraft are faster and more efficient than traditional quadcopter drones. The algorithms can execute challenging maneuvers and are so efficient they can plan complex ...

Latest Headlines

updated 9:07am EDT

Barnacles May Help Reveal Location of Lost Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

Aug. 23, 2023 — Geoscientists have created a new method that can reconstruct the drift path and origin of debris from flight MH370, an aircraft that went missing over the Indian Ocean in 2014 with 239 passengers and ...

Move Over Lithium-Ion: Zinc-Air Batteries a Cheaper and Safer Alternative

Aug. 21, 2023 — Zinc-air batteries have emerged as a better alternative to lithium in a recent study into the advancement of sustainable battery ...

Way Cool: 'Freeze Ray' Technology

July 31, 2023 — An unusual discovery is now being developed as an on-demand cooling solution for high-flying military ...

Aluminum Materials Show Promising Performance for Safer, Cheaper, More Powerful Batteries

July 19, 2023 — Researchers are using aluminum foil to create batteries with higher energy density and greater stability. The team's new battery system could enable ...

Supercomputer Used to Simulate Winds That Cause Clear Air Turbulence

July 12, 2023 — Using Japan's most powerful supercomputer, researchers reproduced cases of clear air turbulence around Tokyo. They simulated the fine vortices responsible for this dangerous phenomenon. The ...

City Buildings Could Blow Air Taxi Future Off Course

June 23, 2023 — Air taxis may be coming to our cities in the near future, but a new study warns regulations will need to address dangerous wind gusts around city buildings and other urban ...

A Step Toward Safe and Reliable Autopilots for Flying

June 12, 2023 — Researchers developed a machine-learning technique that can autonomously drive a car or fly a plane through a very difficult 'stabilize-avoid' scenario, in which the vehicle must stabilize its ...

Megawatt Electrical Motor Designed by Engineers Could Help Electrify Aviation

June 9, 2023 — Aerospace engineers designed a 1-megawatt electrical motor that is a stepping stone toward electrifying the largest ...

Aviation Turbulence Strengthened as the World Warmed

June 8, 2023 — New research shows that clear-air turbulence increased in various regions around the world from 1979 -- ...

New Study Could Help Unlock 'Game-Changing' Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Aviation

June 7, 2023 — Researchers have revealed the mechanisms that cause lithium metal solid-state batteries to fail. The new insights could help overcome the technical ...

Earlier Headlines

Summaries
Headlines

Propellers Are Louder Over Ground

May 24, 2023 — The effects of the ground on propeller noise have now been measured ...

Smart Material Prototype Challenges Newton's Laws of Motion

May 18, 2023 — Engineers have developed a prototype metamaterial that uses electrical signals to control both the direction and intensity of energy waves passing through a solid material. Potential applications of ...

Model Simulates Variable Flap Stiffness for the Best Lift

Apr. 6, 2023 — There is extensive research on how a fixed-position flap affects lift in the realm of fluid-structure interaction. So, researchers conducted a bio-inspired study with a novel twist -- variable ...

Sailing Cargo Ships Can Benefit from New Aerodynamic Tech

Apr. 4, 2023 — A research team has demonstrated a unique method that reduces the aerodynamic resistance of ships by 7.5 per cent. This opens the way for large cargo ships borne across the oceans by wind alone, as ...

New Algorithm Keeps Drones from Colliding in Midair

Mar. 30, 2023 — Researchers developed a multiagent trajectory planning system that guarantees a group of drones working together in the same airspace will avoid collisions even if their communications to one another ...

Prepare for Landing: Making Airports More Efficient

Mar. 28, 2023 — A team of scientists presents an original oscillating short-term memory model to study the dynamics of landing events at 10 major European airports. The model can estimate how landing volumes will ...

Ultra-Lightweight Multifunctional Space Skin Created to Withstand Extreme Conditions in Space

Mar. 21, 2023 — A new nano-barrier coating could help protect ultra-lightweight carbon composite materials from extreme conditions in space, according to a new ...

Resilient Bug-Sized Robots Keep Flying Even After Wing Damage

Mar. 15, 2023 — Researchers have developed resilient artificial muscles that can enable insect-scale aerial robots to effectively recover flight performance after suffering severe ...

Propeller Advance Paves Way for Quiet, Efficient Electric Aviation

Mar. 15, 2023 — Electrification is seen as having an important role to play in the fossil-free aviation of tomorrow. But electric aviation is battling a trade-off dilemma: the more energy-efficient an electric ...

Hackers Could Try to Take Over a Military Aircraft; Can a Cyber Shuffle Stop Them?

Feb. 27, 2023 — A cybersecurity technique that shuffles network addresses like a blackjack dealer shuffles playing cards could effectively befuddle hackers gambling for control of a military jet, commercial airliner ...

Novel Control Method of Aircraft With No Tail

Feb. 8, 2023 — A research team has demonstrated the use of a novel control method in an aircraft with no tail. The technology allows an aircraft to be as smooth and sleek as possible, making it safer to fly in ...

New Research Computes First Step Toward Predicting Lifespan of Electric Space Propulsion Systems

Feb. 1, 2023 — Electric space propulsion systems use energized atoms to generate thrust. The high-speed beams of ions bump against the graphite surfaces of the thruster, eroding them with each hit, and are the ...

Comparing Airfares Instead of Seat Size Fairer Indicator of Passenger Carbon Emissions

Jan. 25, 2023 — Allocating passenger aircraft emissions using airfares rather than travel class would give a more accurate idea of individual contributions, finds a new study. Including airfares in calculations ...

Plasma Thrusters Used on Satellites Could Be Much More Powerful

Jan. 24, 2023 — It was believed that Hall thrusters, an efficient kind of electric propulsion widely used in orbit, need to be large to produce a lot of thrust. Now, a new study suggests that smaller Hall thrusters ...

Special Drone Collects Environmental DNA from Trees

Jan. 18, 2023 — Researchers have developed a flying device that can land on tree branches to take samples. This opens up a new dimension for scientists previously reserved for for biodiversity ...

Feathered Robotic Wing Paves Way for Flapping Drones

Jan. 13, 2023 — Birds fly more efficiently by folding their wings during the upstroke, according to a recent study. The results could mean that wing-folding is the next step in increasing the propulsive and ...

Jet Engine Lubrication Oils Are a Major Source of Ultrafine Particles

Jan. 9, 2023 — Recent measurements have shown that Frankfurt International Airport is a major source of ultrafine particles and that these can disperse over long distances across the city. Researchers have now ...

Research Team Detects Additive Manufacturing Defects in Real-Time

Jan. 6, 2023 — Researchers can now detect the formation of keyhole pores, one of the most challenging defects common in additive manufacturing, with incredible ...

Using Drones to Monitor Volcanoes: Researchers Analyze Volcanic Gases With the Help of Ultra-Lightweight Sensor Systems

Dec. 20, 2022 — The main gases released by volcanoes are water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Analyzing these gases is one of the best ways of obtaining information on volcanic systems and the magmatic ...

New Winged Robot Can Land Like a Bird

Dec. 19, 2022 — Researchers have developed a method that allows a flapping-wing robot to land autonomously on a horizontal perch using a claw-like mechanism. The innovation could significantly expand the scope of ...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Propellers Are Louder Over Ground

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Smart Material Prototype Challenges Newton's Laws of Motion

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Model Simulates Variable Flap Stiffness for the Best Lift

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Sailing Cargo Ships Can Benefit from New Aerodynamic Tech

Thursday, March 30, 2023

New Algorithm Keeps Drones from Colliding in Midair

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Prepare for Landing: Making Airports More Efficient

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Ultra-Lightweight Multifunctional Space Skin Created to Withstand Extreme Conditions in Space

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Monday, February 27, 2023

Hackers Could Try to Take Over a Military Aircraft; Can a Cyber Shuffle Stop Them?

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Novel Control Method of Aircraft With No Tail

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

New Research Computes First Step Toward Predicting Lifespan of Electric Space Propulsion Systems

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Comparing Airfares Instead of Seat Size Fairer Indicator of Passenger Carbon Emissions

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Plasma Thrusters Used on Satellites Could Be Much More Powerful

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Special Drone Collects Environmental DNA from Trees

Friday, January 13, 2023

Feathered Robotic Wing Paves Way for Flapping Drones

Monday, January 9, 2023

Jet Engine Lubrication Oils Are a Major Source of Ultrafine Particles

Friday, January 6, 2023

Research Team Detects Additive Manufacturing Defects in Real-Time

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Using Drones to Monitor Volcanoes: Researchers Analyze Volcanic Gases With the Help of Ultra-Lightweight Sensor Systems

Monday, December 19, 2022

New Winged Robot Can Land Like a Bird

Monday, December 12, 2022

Hummingbird Flight Could Provide Insights for Biomimicry in Aerial Vehicles

Friday, December 9, 2022

Deep-Space Optical Communication Demonstration Project Forges Ahead

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Researchers Create Method for Making Net-Zero Aviation Fuel

Friday, November 18, 2022

Fruit Flies Use Corrective Movements to Maintain Stability After Injury

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Flight of Birds Can Help Provide Predictions on Turbulence

Monday, November 14, 2022

Full Decarbonization of U.S. Aviation Sector Is Within Grasp

Friday, November 11, 2022

Improving the Performance of Electrodeless Plasma Thrusters for Space Propulsion

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

New Communications Technology: Super-Fast Optical Lasers

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Water for Drinking? Nope, Water for Batteries

Monday, October 31, 2022

New Tech Solves Longstanding Challenges for Self-Healing Materials

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Borrowing a Shape from a to-Go Cup Lid, a Drone Wing Could Learn How to Sense Danger Faster

Thursday, October 20, 2022

How Can Flying Insects and Drones Tell Up from Down?

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Would Traffic Noise from Future Flying Cars Cause Stress?

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Keeping Planes and Wind Turbines Ice-Free

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Researchers Capture Images of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Commercial Aircraft Engine

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

3D Printing Can Now Manufacture Customized Sensors for Robots, Pacemakers, and More

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Catalytic Process With Lignin Could Enable 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Thursday, September 22, 2022

A Swarm of 3D Printing Drones for Construction and Repair

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

3D Printing Drones Work Like Bees to Build and Repair Structures While Flying

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

New Laser-Based Instrument Designed to Boost Hydrogen Research

Monday, September 12, 2022

New Ice-Shedding Coating Is 100x Stronger Than Others

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Monday, September 5, 2022

Engineers Study Bird Flight

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Saturn V Was Loud but Didn't Melt Concrete

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

AI Pilot Can Navigate Crowded Airspace

Monday, August 8, 2022

New Wind Sensor Uses Smart Materials to Improve Drone Performance

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Default Options Facilitate Faster Carbon Offsetting in Air Travel

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Robotic Lightning Bugs Take Flight

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

'Urban Canyons' Prolong Sonic Booms in Cities

Friday, May 20, 2022

Satellites and Drones Can Help Save Pollinators

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Friday, May 13, 2022

Dragonflies Use Vision, Subtle Wing Control to Straighten Up and Fly Right

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

4D Composite Printing Can Improve the Wings of Drones

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Rapid Adaptation of Deep Learning Teaches Drones to Survive Any Weather

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

New Technology Reduces Heavy-Duty Diesel Emissions to Meet Stringent CARB 2027 NOx Requirements

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Lignin-Based Jet Fuel Packs More Power for Less Pollution

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Sapphire Fiber Could Enable Cleaner Energy and Air-Travel

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Scientists Develop Environmentally Safe, Frost-Resistant Coatings

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Using Marinated Eggs to Demonstrate Diffusion

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Bionic Wing Flaps Improve Wind Energy Efficiency

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Hoverfly Brains Mapped to Detect the Sound of Distant Drones

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Avian Secret: The Key to Agile Bird Flight Is Switching Quickly Between Stable and Unstable Gliding

Monday, March 7, 2022

Extending the Battery Life of Small Drones to Strengthen Security on U.S. Border

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

For New Insights Into Aerodynamics, Scientists Turn to Paper Airplanes

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

New Study Illuminates How Tiny Flies Solve Complex Navigational Challenges

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Predicting the Efficiency of Oxygen-Evolving Electrolysis on the Moon and Mars

Friday, January 21, 2022

Into the Vortex

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Development of a Lithium-Air Battery With an Energy Density Over 500 Wh/kg

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

2020 Volcanic Eruption Leads to Hours-Long Thunderstorm

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Owl Wing Design Reduces Aircraft, Wind Turbine Noise Pollution

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Face Masks Cut Distance Airborne Pathogens Could Travel in Half, New Study Finds

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Engineers Test an Idea for a New Hovering Rover

Monday, December 20, 2021

Sneezes, Rain Clouds and Ink Jets: Optical Microscopes to Measure the Volume of Microdroplets

Monday, December 6, 2021

Researcher Pushes Limit of When Water Will Freeze

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Engineers Create Perching Bird-Like Robot

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Making Aircraft Fuel from Sunlight and Air

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

An Artificial Material That Can Sense, Adapt to Its Environment

Friday, October 29, 2021

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

A Computationally Quick Approach to Predict Molten Droplet Solidification on a Solid Surface

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

LEONARDO, the Bipedal Robot, Can Ride a Skateboard and Walk a Slackline

Monday, September 27, 2021

When Accidents Happen, Drones Weigh Their Options

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Next Gen 3D Printed Catalysts to Propel Hypersonic Flight

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Risk from Solar Flares to Planes Is Real but Not Worth Costly Mitigation