When NASA laid out its plans to transform aeronautics, it tapped some of the best thinkers and innovators in the agency to develop new ideas to move aviation forward.
In September, NASA Glenn hosted the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) showcase to allow researchers to present their ideas on how the agency can achieve new capabilities in aviation.
The showcase highlighted 15 concepts including:
- Alternative fuel cells
- Using 3-D printing to increase electric motor output
- Using lithium-air batteries for energy storage
- New mechanisms for changing the shape of an aircraft wing in flight
- Using a lightweight material called aerogel in the design of aircraft antenna
- Employing nanotechnology to create aircraft structures that can store electrical power
- Taking advantage of artificial intelligence to improve the safe operations of drones
- Finding new ways to test drones to ensure proper remote flight
- Developing super strong, lightweight composite structures that can change shape to adapt to conditions during flight
- Replacing petroleum fueled aircraft propulsion systems with lightweight electric systems
- Exploring whether computer tools can safely enable new airplane designs to be more rapidly flown by skipping ground-based testing
- Simulating and predicting aircraft aging and problems with computer modeling
- Conducting flight research on large experimental airplanes
- Demonstrating design tools on small and novel vertical lift aircraft
- Evaluating aircraft electric propulsion systems as an alternative power source that is safer and more cost effective.
Investigators for each project presented the details of their ideas to NASA leaders.
“We want to know if these solutions and concepts are feasible,” says Robert Pearce, of NASA’s Aeronautics program. “These investigators have stepped up with innovative ideas and we want them to continue learning to move the concepts forward.”
Each CAS project will undergo a review to determine whether the idea meets feasibility goals and continues to have potential. NASA or the aviation community will develop the most promising ideas.
Nancy Smith Kilkenny, ATS
NASA Glenn Research Center
