The “friendly skies” may become eco-friendlier. Researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio are working toward reducing the nation’s total use of fossil fuels. Your likely question: “How?” The answer: By developing alternative aircraft designs with the use of electric-powered low-carbon propulsion technology.
A new frontier
More than 42,000 flights and 2.5 million airline passengers are in the air every day, with 5,000 aircraft in the sky at any given time. And with air traffic passenger demand projected to surge even higher in 2018, the skies will be busier than ever. From the beginning of flight travel, carbon-based fuels have been powering commercial airlines, leaving a trail of fossil fuel emissions behind them. But this heavy carbon footprint situation may be changing.
Researchers from Glenn are setting the stage for planes that will require using less fossil fuels in the future. Aeronautical engineers are taking a closer look at how airplanes can be revamped to use electric power that would provide the plane’s thrust and power for flight, while simultaneously reducing the plane’s energy consumption, emissions and noise level. Like hybrid or turboelectric power that is used in cars, boats and trains, NASA hopes to guide the aircraft industry into using hybrid electric and turboelectric propulsion, as opposed to relying solely on gas turbines.
However, these alternative aircraft designs wouldn’t be “flying solo” on electricity just yet. The alternative system would combine electric motors and generators with turbine engines.
A cleaner future
Low-carbon propulsion technology can make each flight up to 30 percent more fuel efficient and require lower operational costs, which is good news for airlines that have been hit hard with high jet fuel prices. Although the day that we see an electric-powered airplane may be years away, the idea of it is literally fueling excitement for a cleaner future.
Interesting in learning more about Vaughn’s programs? Take a look here to see everything we have to offer.
Scientists and robotics experts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California are developing an origami-inspired robot named PUFFER to explore areas in space that are too risky for full-fledged rovers. Its design is described as a lightweight, pop-up folding explorer that can flatten itself and tuck in its wheels, allowing maneuverability into places that rovers can’t go. Just like the origami art of paper folding, PUFFER’s design allows these microbots to be flattened like cards and stacked one on top of the other.
Incredible Features
PUFFER was put to the test during the past year-and-a-half in areas that ranged from the rugged terrain of the Mojave Desert in California to the snowy hills in Antarctica in the hopes that it will someday make it to the sands of the planet Mars. It’s designed to move up 45-degree slopes and investigate overhangs as a companion to larger robots. It can even drop into pits or craters, go behind sand dunes, and explore steep slopes―taking exploration to hard-to-reach locations.
“They can do parallel science with a rover, so you can increase the amount you’re doing in a day,” said Jaakko Karras, the project manager at JPL. It was Karras who was experimenting with origami designs while he was in grad school at UC Berkeley’s Biomimetic Millisystems Lab. He came up with the robot’s body design as he worked on developing robotics that were based on natural forms ch as the movements of animals and insects.
How PUFFER Was Made
It took a collaborative effort to get the robot to where it is today. Robotics experts and scientists at JPL worked together to create the microbot, and partnered with outside experts to fine-tune specific movements and abilities. The four wheels were created on a 3D printer, and gained treads that allow the robot to climb inclines. The origami design allows the wheels to fold over the main body, giving PUFFER the ability to crawl. Biomimetic Millisystems Lab developed a “skittering walk” that ensures the bot inches forward, one wheel at a time, without slipping. Distant Focus Corporation lent sight to the project, providing a high-resolution micro-imager which can see objects that are a fraction of the diameter of human hair.
Onboard Instruments
Solar panels on PUFFER’s belly keep the microbot on the move and allow it to flip over to recharge in the sun. It can move about 2,050 feet (625 meters) on one battery charge driving on a level dirt path. Depending on the number of onboard instruments, that distance may fluctuate. Currently, it operates via Bluetooth and can be controlled remotely. Advances in robotics and engineering have enabled it to act as a scientist in its own right with the addition of an instrument that allows it to sample water for organic material. The team says a spectrometer could also be added to give it the ability to study the chemical makeup of its environment.
The Future
PUFFER’s future is looking bigger and brighter as the JPL team envisions future designs to be as large as a breadbox and possibly autonomic―allowing more than one microbot to conduct science as a mobile team.
What may have once been thought of as science fiction may soon become science fact. The JPL team is hopeful their robot may someday be partnering on future planetary missions, as its composition includes several Mars-compatible materials, including heritage technology from the Viking, Pathfinder and Phoenix missions. “Small robotic explorers like PUFFER could change the way we do science on Mars,” said Karras.
Don’t miss the change to learn more about Vaughn’s engineering, technology, management and aviation programs at our Open House on Saturday, November 11 and 18. Space is limited – reserve your spot today!
The PUFFER project is a Game Changing Development (GCD) program. The project is managed by JPL. The GCD program investigates ideas and approaches that could solve significant technological problems and revolutionize future space endeavors. GCD is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Move over, first class. Air travel as we know it may be taking a back seat to modular airplanes, offering passengers a “cruise ship-like” experience with the comforts of home.
Let’s face it. Commercial flying leaves much to be desired: crammed seating with limited legroom, few dining options, and basically nowhere else to go. All of this may be changing, and it could happen sooner than we think.
Is this the future of air travel?
Last December, innovators at Airbus revealed Transpose, a futuristic modular cabin concept that was in the works at their Silicon Valley labs. This full-sized Airbus A330 prototype takes the concept from cargo planes and applies it to passenger planes.
Here is how it would work:
Just as palettes of cargo are loaded onto cargo planes, Transpose engineers have designed a way to load pre-built modules onto commercial planes―each with specific “experiences.” Imagine being able to roam freely about the cabin and stop off at a coffee shop or work off a few calories at a cycling studio?
Check out this video to see the inner workings of a modular plane.
How soon will they fly?
As exciting as all this sounds, you won’t be booking a ticket any time soon. The Transpose engineering team is still facing some design challenges, not to mention getting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Transpose has already engaged in conversations with the FAA and hopes to have its aircraft flying “within a few years.” This estimate, however, may be premature, considering the strict rules and regulations of the FAA. The FAA has not officially commented on the project but did state―depending on the complexity of the project and the experience of the manufacturer―the certification process can take anywhere from less than one year to more than five years.
How much will a ticket cost?
Cost also comes into play, as today’s avid air travelers are already paying a premium for extra legroom and the niceties of first class. Transpose engineers predict modular cabin seats would be priced at the premium economy level, but this prediction depends upon whether the seating density remains the same as a standard aircraft. Ultimately, the airlines will have the final say in determining the price of a ticket.
In an everchanging world of technology, Airbus has a proven track record backed with years of experience building airplanes. Transpose is just another example of how innovation and engineering can one day make flying the friendly skies even friendlier.
Today’s students are facing some serious sticker shock as the cost of a college education continues to rise. Investing in yourself is one of the greatest ways to spend your money, so it’s important to do your homework and narrow down the best colleges that offer the greatest bang for your buck. Last month, Vaughn College was named to Money Magazine’s 2017 “Top Colleges for Your Money” list, placing it among some of the country’s finest and affordable institutions.
Making the cut
With a long history of academic excellence and commitment to student success, Vaughn ranked 162 among 711 colleges and universities based on factors including affordability, quality of education and alumni success. Money Magazine studied 2,400 colleges and used 27 data points to compile its final list. In its ranking, the magazine applauded Vaughn’s facilities and offerings, unique mix of academic programs and the high-demand for jobs in the industries the College serves.
Vaughn also claimed the highest socioeconomic mobility rate in Money Magazine’s rankings, echoing the college’s recent appointment as the top institution in the US. for upward mobility by The Equality of Opportunity Project, as reported earlier this year in The New York Times.
Choosing the right college
Choosing the best college isn’t all about dollars and cents. Just as you wouldn’t attend culinary school to become an accountant, you want to find a college that caters to your career goals and offers the best programs to fuel your passion.
Vaughn is dedicated to empowering the next generation with a spectrum of fields designed to meet today’s most exciting engineering and technology, management and aviation fields. With degrees ranging from associate, bachelor, graduate and certificate majors, Vaughn offers students a futureproof education and various pathways to reach their goals. The proof is in the numbers. Ninety-eight percent of Vaughn graduates are employed or continue their education within one year with 81 percent in a related field.
A message from the president
“Choosing to attend Vaughn College for your degree is about making a valuable investment in your future,” said Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo. “By having outside validation of the quality of our degree programs, students and families can feel confident that Vaughn is an institution that provides an engaging educational experience and long-term success.”
For more of the latest innovations in aviation, engineering, management and more―check out our monthly newsletter. (Sign-up below!)
Left-handed pilots are more prevalent in the aviation industry than one may think. Since about 10 percent of the population is left-handed, it makes one wonder why a large percentage of pilots are also left-handed, as many as 40 percent according to those in the field. This disproportionate ratio raises the question, “Are the challenges the same for right-handed pilots compared to left-handed pilots?” In honor of International Left Handers Day, we want to recognize the “lefties” who are commandeering the skies, and touch down on any challenges they may face.
Living in a right-handed world
Many lefties consider themselves ambidextrous since they’ve learned to adapt to living in a right-handed world. And when it comes to flying an airplane, left-handed pilots say it’s all about the same. Pilots use both hands to fly an airplane and undergo rigorous training to master the task. Ask almost any left-handed pilot and they’ll say it really doesn’t make much . History speaks for itself as some of the most famous aviators of our time are left-handed, including astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and the late Wally Schirra, just to name a few.
All hands on deck
If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you know there are two pilots in the cockpit―the captain and the first officer. When pilots begin their training, they are seated on the left in the captain’s seat with the yoke, or control column, on their left and the throttle in the middle on the right side. The flight instructor sits on the right in the first captain’s seat with the controls reversed. Since pilots need to know how to navigate from both positions, their left-handedness doesn’t really come into play since they need to master flying using either their right or left hands.
Getting it “write”
One drawback for most left-handed pilots is having to jot down notes while flying. They say it becomes second nature to them as they simply switch hands when they need to. Many left-handed pilots say learning to manipulate a throttle or stick is nowhere near as complex as learning how to write with your less-dominant hand.
August 13 is International Left Handers Day. If you are left-handed or know someone who is, then give yourself a hand with the knowledge that left-handed people are always in their right minds.
Interested in learning more about a career in Aviation?
Robots are developing emotions, and not in ways that you may think. Today’s technology is advancing the evolving relationship between robots and humans, moving it beyond the realm of “artificial intelligence” (AI).
New Advances
Although transformative advances have recently shifted AI to be referred to as “machine-learning systems,” there’s more than meets the eye with these mechanical wonders. Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is quietly emerging, adding some personality and a bit of emotion to existing intelligence. These advancements allow for more natural human interaction and the ability to develop motivation to solve problems in creative ways.
Autonomous robots are designed for the capability to gain information and work independently for extended periods of time. AGI now enhances these abilities by adding humanlike common sense, making the robots react in more clever ways when engaging in problem-solving tasks. “The future direction of automation and robotics is to make life simpler for future generations,” said Dr. Hossein Rahemi, chair of Vaughn College’s Engineering and Technology Department. “Robots can make life more relaxing by taking the stress out of the workplace and relieve some of the pressures that workers experience.”
The mechatronic, electrical and mechanical engineering programs at Vaughn College provide a solid foundation for students to secure jobs in the field of robotics. “Hands-on experience is critical to gain the necessary knowledge to be successful,” Rahemi said. “Our World Championship Robotics Team is the perfect example of how engineering students come together to apply their knowledge and achieve success.” As the technology behind autonomous robots continues to gain momentum, so does the demand for engineers to maintain it. “As professors, we never stop learning,” said Rahemi. “This constant flow of knowledge passes down to our students—giving them the edge they need to be relevant in the field.”
How industries are using robots to get ahead
A variety of industries are seeing autonomous robots as valuable assets to their businesses. This doesn’t mean robots are taking over the workforce. In fact, they can assist in making human employees’ jobs easier and more streamlined while helping businesses run more efficiently. The automotive industry is a field that is no stranger to using robots. For years, car makers have used robots to assist workers with daily tasks by facilitating more efficient, flexible and precise production lines, resulting in faster production times.
The world is seeing amazing advances in the medical industry, which is now using autonomous robots. Hospitals, for example, can use autonomous robots to quickly deliver lab results and pick up patient samples while navigating through hallways, which will free up time for health care professionals to tend to their patients and other responsibilities. And since some autonomous robots can detect emotion in the human voice, they can be used in more interactive settings to improve productivity and customer experience. Skilled surgeons are using a robot’s pinpoint accuracy to assist in delicate and complex surgeries and procedures. “Scientists, engineers and other industry experts are the sources behind this AI, giving life to the robots and fueling the future of autonomous robotic technology,” Rahemi said. “As much as robots are designed and programmed to help humans do a task, we still need human intelligence to make it all happen.”
Conclusion
With virtually endless advancements on the horizon, it’s just a matter of time before the world sees what researchers will develop next in the field of autonomous robotics. “Demand is skyrocketing as the industry is seeking talented engineers to be the human intelligence behind AI,” Rahemi explained. “The field is growing and expanding before our eyes and Vaughn is committed to educating our students to be the future intelligence of tomorrow. Our mechatronic engineering programs are testament to this commitment.”
Travelers may need to pack their patience this summer as an estimated 234 million passengers are expected to take to the skies. And, as airport delays tend to occur more frequently in the summer than they do in the winter, savvy travelers should think ahead when planning their vacation destinations.
MileCards.com, a loyalty credit card analyst, sorted out airport on-time arrival data from the department of transportation from 2007-2016 and compiled the on-time ratings for the country’s 50 busiest airports.
Narrowing it down, findings revealed that 40 percent of the top 50 airports have more airport delays in the summer than in the winter, including the popular destinations such as Atlanta, Boston, New York, Orlando, San Antonio, both Dallas area airports, and all three Washington, DC area airports.
Those venturing to Hawaii are in luck, as Kahului and Honolulu top the list for on time summer travel. Other western destinations that ranked among the most favorable were Salt Lake City and Orange County. For the Midwest, Minneapolis and Detroit came in as the best for on-time summer flights.
California tends to be a vacation hot spot, and travelers heading to San Jose and Oakland are good to go, because these two airports come in at numbers eight and 11, respectively, as the best airports for fewest summer airport delays. San Francisco, on the other hand, had more summer delays, partly due to coastal fog and parallel runways.
What airports are doing
No one wants to experience airport delays―customers and airlines alike. In preparation for their busiest season, some airports are instituting the following to assist passengers during a high-traffic time of year:
Increase operations staff to keep delays to a minimum.
Increase the number of ambassadors to help passengers navigate seamlessly in and out of the airport.
Offer mobile phone apps designed to help passengers navigate where they need to be, monitor wait times and keep track of parking.
Have management work closely with airline partners to ensure facilities are adequately resourced and maintained.
What you can do
Since summer travel airport delays may occur, experts agree that being prepared and having a good attitude are key. Here are some travel tips before you take off:
Check for waived change fees before you check in.
Check if there’s severe weather in the forecast.
Use inflight Wi-Fi to rebook your flight if you think you might miss your connection.
Book earlier flights that tend to be on-time compared to flights that will leave later in the day.
Use certain travel credit cards that may offer compensation for delayed flights.
For those traveling with small children, parents may want to pack travel games and snacks to make the time go faster while they wait to board their flight. At the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying a safe summer vacation.
Happy travels!
The next time your flight is delayed due to weather, try to muster up some patience. Air travel during stormy weather can be a challenging experience for both travelers and airport management. Just ask anyone in the northeast who had travel plans during the recent snowstorms. Travelers are eager to get to their destinations, and airport personnel work hard to get them there safely.
Since no one can control the weather, it’s important to know how airports follow strict protocol to maintain the safety of all passengers.
Before the Storm
Navigating through a storm begins with monitoring the impending weather so that airport management can begin the process of securing the area. Some of the measures that may be taken include:
Securing Equipment
To avoid equipment from being damaged in a storm, personnel will secure and relocate equipment such as tugs and pullies (the equipment that pulls and pushes an aircraft) to an area close to the terminal or gate area.
Evacuating Aircraft
To protect the airplanes, dispatchers will assign planes to be evacuated to different hubs or airport gating areas in various parts of the country where the storm is not expected to hit.
During the Storm
Travelers should expect flight delays and cancellations during inclement weather. One might suspect it’s the inability for the airplane to navigate in the less than ideal weather, but knowing the intense protocol airports enforce to keep passengers safe may encourage more patience. Here is a snapshot of what happens:
Increased Personnel in the Air Traffic Control Tower
During an active storm, there is intense communication to ensure everyone’s safety. It’s important to have extra personnel in the control tower to make sure everything is being communicated effectively and that all inquiries are being answered in real-time.
De-icing
Depending on the size of the aircraft, de-icing can take anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes. De-icing is only performed on departing planes and planes scheduled for a turnaround flight. Clearing alley and taxi ways is also part of the de-icing process. Here is how it’s done:
Trucks remove snow from alley ways, taxi ways and gate areas and bring it to a steamer where it is melted immediately. Maintenance crews are always on call to repair any steamer that is malfunctioning to prevent snow from piling up.
Planes are de-iced on the alley way prior to departing. Four de-icing machines work to remove all the standing snow that has accumulated on the aircraft. Once all the snow has been removed, a special liquid is then put on the plane to prevent additional snow from sticking to it.
Arriving aircraft that are not scheduled for a turnaround flight do not get de-iced and are sent to a hangar.
Working Together
Maintaining air traffic is critical for smooth and safe airport operations, so it’s important that all airport personnel do their part. These are the steps that are put into place to get a plane off the ground:
Fueling the Plane
“Catering” the Plane―Replenishing the plane with refreshments, etc.
Instilling Customer Service―Boarding passengers safely onto the plane and loading luggage and cargo.
Attending to the Pilot’s Needs―Pilots may request maintenance checks or personal items.
Disconnecting the Jet Bridge―Ensuring the bridge is disconnected prior to take off.
Thoughts from a Vaughn Alumnus
“Understanding airport management and protocols is the key to a successful career,” said Patrick Batey ’16, a graduate of Vaughn College’s airport management program. Batey credits Vaughn with being instrumental in preparing him for his career in aviation. “Everything I learned at Vaughn, I have used as stepping stones to get me where I am today. I love the aviation industry and Vaughn was there every step of the way to help me live my dream.”
Expecting Half-a-Million Visitors
Eyes around the world will be focused on Rio de Janeiro this month as the Brazilian city hosts the 2016 Summer Olympic games beginning today, August 5. With an estimated half-a-million visitors expected to land for the world-wide mega sporting event, the city’s only international airport known as Galeao has recently undergone a $2 billion renovation, transforming its infrastructure to handle the influx of flights, passenger traffic and to improve the visitor experience.
With the 2014 World Cup behind them, airport management realized there would be a greater aviation challenge in preparing for the 2016 Olympic games with the significant increase in commercial and charter flights as well as receiving more heads of state. Galeao airport is the fourth busiest airport in South America handling over 14.5 million passengers annually (or about 40,000 passengers on an average day). With that number expected to reach over 90,000 on some days throughout the games, management has instituted specific operating plans to ensure the best possible experience for both airport personnel and worldwide visitors.
What is Al Graser’s take?
Al Graser, an adjunct professor who teaches airport and operations management at Vaughn College, shared his insight on the renovations, advancements and improvements at Galeao. With 40 years of experience at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and his stellar reputation as general manager at New York’s La Guardia and John F. Kennedy (JFK) international airports, Graser is well versed in all aspects of aviation operations.
Brazil put forth a major effort to prepare for the 2016 Olympic games,” said Graser. “It appears this type of investment will ensure the security, service and operations for all users of the airport during the Olympic games and into the future.
Exciting Enhancements
The vast renovations to Galeao have overturned the airport’s unfavorable ranking as one of the country’s worst airports. It has two terminals, with Terminal 2 receiving the majority of international flights. Terminal 2 is home to a new section that spans the length of almost 10 football fields and is equipped with 26 additional boarding bridges to ease the flow of passengers boarding and deplaning the aircraft. To make the experience even more enjoyable for visitors, Galeao doubled and modernized the duty-free shopping area in Terminal 2 with an additional 86,000 square feet, including 100 new shops and restaurants, while business travelers now have over 64,000 square feet of their own exclusive space devoted to lounges and executive areas. The airport also expanded their parking facilities and installed new X-ray scanners, elevators, moving walkways and 68 new check-in desks to facilitate a more seamless travel experience.
They’ve Got an App for That
To keep up with technology and meet passenger demand, 3,000 Bluetooth beacons and 500 Wi-Fi hot spots were installed throughout the airport. To make the Rio experience even more exciting and help facilitate a more enjoyable travel experience, Galeao is now the first airport in South America to offer its own indoor navigation app, called RIOgaleao. The app is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish and features real-time flight and arrival information to lessen the potential overcrowding around airport monitors. Users will not only enjoy the convenience of maps and routes to navigate the massive airport, but they can also find information on airport shops, restaurants and public transportation in the surrounding areas. Other useful features on the app include paying for parking and live chat support.
Automated Passport Process
With sporting enthusiasts traveling to Rio from all corners of the world, Galeao anticipated the immigration crunch and planned ahead by installing electronic eGates to automate the passport process. They even built a new Welcome Center in Terminal 2 with a friendly multi-lingual staff to provide visitors with city and transportation information.
More Room for Aircraft Parking
On the ground, the airport has increased its number of physical aircraft parking spaces. Galeao now has 97 certified, full-time parking spaces (24 of which are E-class), and has increased its capacity to receive business jets. With hundreds of heads of state expected to attend the games, the Galeao Air Base will receive head-of-state flights and will have the ability to handle three airplanes every 20 minutes. Security measures are in place at Galeao that allow business jets to land only between the hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Rio’s domestic airport, Santos Dumont (which is located in the heart of downtown), will be operating 24 hours a day during the Olympic games allowing for an additional 180 business aviation flights during the hours between midnight and 6 a.m.
Increased Security for Visitors
Rio de Janeiro is currently on high-alert with a full-scale mobilization of military units which began late last month ahead of the Olympic games. Soldiers have been deployed to Galeao, the famous Copacabana Beach and throughout the city. The Brazilian government said it plans to mobilize more than 85,000 personnel including approximately 22,000 soldiers.
We often hear the expression “blind as a bat,” but new data from a recent study by Lund University in Sweden?on the flying techniques of the long-eared bat?is opening the eyes of the drone community with significant findings that could improve the future development of drone technology.
Researchers observed trained bats as they flew through thin smoke in a wind tunnel while trying to reach food attached to a stick. While the bats flew, the researchers aimed a laser beam at the smoke behind the bats and took pictures of the illuminated smoke particles. This process allowed researchers to calculate the forces generated by each beat of the bat’s wings, based on the movement of the smoke.
“We show how the air behind the body of a long-eared bat accelerates downward, which means that the body and ears provide lift. This distinguishes the long-eared bats from other species that have been studied and indicates that the large ears do not merely create strong resistance, but also assist the animal in staying aloft,” said Christoffer Johansson Westheim.
The findings were significant, contrary to what researchers previously assumed. Westheim and his colleagues discovered that long-eared bats are aided in flight by their long ears. This data revealed how the flight techniques of bats shed light on the evolutionary conflict between flying efficiently and eco-locating. Even more interesting was an additional discovery that showed how bats generate forward motion when they fly slowly. When bats fly slowly, their wings are held high and away from their bodies at the end of each beat.
“This specific way of generating power could lead to new aerodynamic control mechanisms for drones in the future, inspired by flying animals,” said Westheim.
Students at Vaughn College study the science behind drone technology and are building their own drones. “Our students are amazing,” said Loretta Alkalay, a professor of aviation safety at Vaughn College. With 30 years of experience in aviation law as legal counsel for the FAA (as well as being a drone enthusiast), Alkalay is well-versed in aviation. “Drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are like flying robots,” said Alkalay. “Throughout my six years of teaching at Vaughn, I’m always thrilled to learn about new research to pass along to my students for discussion. This new data released is a perfect example of the exciting research going on in the field and how it relates to animal-inspired technology.”
Aviation safety applies to drones as well as to airplanes and helicopters, so it comes as no surprise that this research is being seen as way to not only make drones fly more efficiently, but more safely.
“The latest bat research can help engineers improve the safety and aerodynamics of future drone technology by applying the way bats sense and avoid obstacles and moving objects,” said Dr. Maxine Lubner, professor and department chair of Vaughn’s management department. She explains how the discoveries can help engineers design drones with more efficient lift, aiding in drone performance and safety.
“We are proud of our mechatronic engineering, management and aviation students as they apply new research to their studies,” said Dr. Lubner. “The students clearly see the numerous applications of their current interests and future career goals within the emerging drone field.” Dr. Lubner states the industry is building upon scientists’ long-standing tradition of examining convergent evolution principles to understand and apply the behavior of animals as a way to solve technological challenges.
“We are hopeful to someday apply the same evolutionary principles of bats’ flying techniques to drone capabilities by applying the laws of physics relating to varying flight speeds,” Dr. Lubner said. “It is an exciting time for our students to apply these principles when constructing future drones. This research is a great example of how students could encompass safety applications and technological advances to make future drones safer.”
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Simply complete the form below to receive information about Vaughn and get connected with an admissions counselor.
