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Deployable and foldable tape-spring booms are widely used in aerospace technologies, especially for large-scale membrane structures. Semi-circular (STEM) and lenticular (CTM) boom cross-sections were invented for specific applications since these configurations have either a concise structure or a high twisting stiffness. Moreover, a triangular cross-section (TRAC) boom was proposed years ago, as its more scattered configuration could afford a higher bending stiffness after deployment. Meanwhile, blossoming is one of the most serious failure modes during boom deployment, and is commonly caused by a relatively high load acting on the boom tip. For the sake of avoiding blossoming failure, the highest load a boom can withstand should be found theoretically for a better design. This paper aims at acquiring the highest tip load (i.e., driving force) a TRAC boom can withstand through establishing an analytical model. Furthermore, a numerical analysis is carried out to provide some verification, whose modeling and analysis method has been verified by a comparison with the experimental data from previous investigations. The research in this paper gives more guidance for the design of deployable TRAC tape-spring booms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our paper, we examine the simultaneous impact of the agglomeration economy (AE) and the innovation ecosystem (IE) on the competency development of SMEs in the Piemonte region in three high-tech sectors: aerospace, mechatronics, and automotive. This study focuses on the critical challenge for SMEs: survival and market position expansion amidst rapidly changing external environments. We used the capability approach, which includes identifying and assessing a company's competencies through the capability matrix, as a tool to analyse a company's competitiveness in the industry based on structural changes; we determined the key insights from managerial practices of SMEs that help to comprehend the behaviour of high-performing, sustainable-performing, and low-performing companies in the development of competencies. The key finding is that SMEs' sustainability in the context of structural changes in the external environment is primarily influenced by factors such as investment in the development of company competencies, industrial cooperation, strategic planning, cross-fertilisation, and the impact of company age and size on the availability of resources, along with the level of internationalisation. This study also identifies the main challenges these SMEs face, particularly the lack of highly skilled human resources to meet the sector's specific needs, as well as the difficulties companies face in adapting to changes in consumer behaviour and forecasting future business strategies. In addition, this study introduces the AE and IE variables as strategic tools to enable company representatives to improve their development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrically excited homopolar inductor machine has a static excitation coil as well as a robust rotor, which makes it attractive in the field of high-speed superconducting machines. This paper designed and analyzed a megawatt class superconducting homopolar inductor machine for aerospace application. To improve the power density, a mass-reduced rotor structure is proposed. Firstly, the main structure parameters of the superconducting homopolar inductor machine are derived based on the required power and speed. Secondly, the electromagnetic performance of the superconducting homopolar inductor machine is analyzed based on the finite element method. Thirdly, a mass-reduced rotor is proposed to improve its power density. The structural performance of the rotor and the electromagnetic performance of the superconducting homopolar inductor machine before and after rotor-mass reduction are evaluated. Compared with the initial rotor, the mass of the mass-reduced rotor is reduced from 66.56 kg to 50.02 kg, which increases the power density by 14.3%. The result shows that a superconducting homopolar inductor machine with a mass-reduced rotor can effectively improve its power density without affecting its output power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Robotics uptake in the aerospace industry is low, mainly due to the low-volume/high-accuracy production that aerospace manufacturers require. Furthermore, aerospace manufacturing and assembly sites are often unstructured environments not specifically suitable for robots to operate in. Methods: This paper introduces a robotic visual inspection system using off-the-shelf components able to inspect the mounting holes for wing slat actuators without the need for fixed-coordinate programming; the part just needs to be left within reach of the robot. Our system sets one of the opposed pairs of mounting holes as a reference (the "datum") and then compares the tilt of all other pairs of mounting holes with respect to it. Under the assumption that any deviation in the mounting hole tilt is not systematic but due to normal manufacturing tolerances, our system will either guarantee the correct alignment of all mounting holes or highlight the existence of misaligned holes. Results and Discussion: Computer-vision tilt measurements are performed with an error of below 0.03° using custom optimization for the sub-pixel determination of the center and radius of the mounting holes. The error introduced by the robot's motion from the datum to each of the remaining hole pairs is compensated by moving back to the datum and fixing the orientation again before moving to inspect the next hole pair. This error is estimated to be approximately 0.05°, taking the total tilt error estimation for any mounting hole pair to be 0.08° with respect to the datum. This is confirmed by manually measuring the tilt of the hole pairs using a clock gauge on a calibrated table (not used during normal operation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way human-computer interaction (HCI) teams are able to collaborate and coordinate in various domains, including aviation. AI's transformative capabilities can enhance teamwork, efficiency, and safety, particularly in risk management. AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and provide real-time insights enables informed decision-making and automation of repetitive tasks in aviation. By combining the strengths of AI and humans, outlined in our modified version of the 'HABA-MABA' framework, a dynamic teamwork relationship emerges, provided roles are successfully allocated. AI systems are able to act as intelligent assistants, offering timely recommendations, fostering effective communication, and facilitating coordination among crew members. Its adaptability and capacity for learning improve collaboration abilities, tailoring strategies to meet the team's specific needs. This paper explores the theories, considerations, and implications of human-AI teams in aviation, highlighting potential benefits, training recommendations, and future research directions. While human-AI teams offer numerous benefits, addressing the risks, limitations, and ethical considerations is crucial to ensuring safe and efficient operations. Future research must prioritize transparency, explainability, adaptability, and real-world testing to unlock the full potential of human-AI teams and foster successful integration across diverse domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a wireless system integrated with a machine learning (ML) model for structural health monitoring (SHM) of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures, primarily targeting aerospace applications. The system collects data via carbon nanotube (CNT) piezoresistive sensors embedded within CFRP coupons, wirelessly transmitting these data to a central server for processing. A deep neural network (DNN) model predicts mechanical properties and can be extended to forecast structural failures, facilitating proactive maintenance and enhancing safety. The modular design supports scalability and can be embedded within digital twin frameworks, offering significant benefits to aircraft operators and manufacturers. The system utilizes an ML model with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.14 on test data for forecasting mechanical properties. Data transmission latency throughout the entire system is less than one second in a LAN setup, highlighting its potential for realtime monitoring applications in aerospace and other industries. However, while the system shows promise, challenges such as sensor reliability under extreme environmental conditions and the need for advanced ML models to handle diverse data streams have been identified as areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary and High School students are usually adolescents, most of them in the urban areas and metropolitan cities are aware about the existence, various opportunities, career paths and advancements of the space industry. They are constantly updated, given they have access to quality and organized education models and a competitive environment. Although, the students in the rural areas who are equally ambitious and talented yet are not fortunate enough to have access to the state of art facilities like the counterparts. Even if they try and gain access with their self-interest, they do not have the motivation to sustain the passion, given their lack of clarity in subject, lack of awareness about engaging in various ways and fields in space other than technological related and mainly lack of driving force. The purpose of this paper is to develop and present an education model, exclusively for the high school students of the rural areas and inculcate sustainable passion for space. As opposed to the primary school students, the secondary school students have a consciousness of the space industry. This paper will talk about various plans and strategies, that will allow them to gain exposure, guide them about the existence of different career paths which are not entirely technological related, yet are still essential in the space like, administrative framework for example. This opens a new dimension in their brain helping them realize how they can be part of the industry in countless ways, and this shall assist them in being on the right track to space. In addition to, hosting creative space themed exhibitions, fun and engaging model design competitions, workshops, all of these would widen their knowledge boundaries and help them challenge their skills. A real time case study example from a school located in the rural southern of India shall be focused on this paper. Including data from a survey thereby the results, with action plans shall be presented in detail, which will aid in the analysis of the need, feasibility, and long-term sustenance of this approach and the requirement to scale it over different rural areas globally. • Need for improvised education models in rural areas elucidated, with data collection. • Data analysis and correlation of space education awareness, for high school students across two geographical locations. • Readily executable action plans age groupwise, for real-time education models in remote areas globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trapped-vortex combustor (TVC) is an alternative combustor design to conventional aeroengine combustors. The separate fuel and air injection of this combustor and its compact design make it a perfect candidate for conventional fuel usage. Moreover, the performance of a trapped-vortex combustor with alternative fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen in the actual operating conditions of an aeroengine is not well understood. The present paper focused on the performance evaluation of TVCs with the futuristic fuels ammonia and hydrogen including under the realistic operating conditions of a combustor. The investigated fuels were injected into a cavity with 0-,15-, 30- and 45-degree transverse-angled air injectors to evaluate the mixing enhancement of the air and fuel under idle and low-power conditions. The mixing behavior of hydrogen showed a significant difference from the conventional fuel, i.e., propane. It was also noticed that the transverse injection of the air helped to improve the mixing efficiency as compared to the normal injection configuration. Mixing efficiency was higher for the 30- and 45-degree transverse-angled air injectors compared to the 0- and 15-degree transverse-angled air injectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hall thrusters are electric propulsion devices that are widely used in modern spaceflight. To obtain the critical corrosion data effectively and accurately during long-life tests of Hall thrusters, this paper proposes an automated corrosion measurement method based on three-dimensional point cloud technology. This method uses binocular structured light scanning method to obtain surface point cloud data. The point cloud topology relationship of these disordered data is also established by KD-tree and radius filtering. The base plane is determined according to the average of the outer circle plane in the discharge chamber, and the original point cloud data is sliced transversely and longitudinally. The point cloud of section data is extracted and the corrosion width data is obtained according to the round hole feature extraction and center of circle calculation. The corrosion angle is calculated according to the angle between the straight line and the normal of the section. The proposed method has been verified and the results show that the overall error accuracy is within 60 μm, which meets the requirements for automatic measurement of Hall thruster corrosion. It is a real and effective method to obtain the critical corrosion data during long-life tests of Hall thrusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of the world's aerospace industry, countries have put forward higher requirements for thermal protection materials for aerospace vehicles. As a nano porous material with ultra-low thermal conductivity, aerogel has attracted more and more attention in the thermal insulation application of aerospace vehicles. At present, the summary of aerogel used in aerospace thermal protection applications is not comprehensive. Therefore, this paper summarizes the research status of various types of aerogels for thermal protection (oxide aerogels, organic aerogels, etc.), summarizes the hot issues in the current research of various types of aerogels for thermal protection, and puts forward suggestions for the future development of various aerogels. For oxide aerogels, it is necessary to further increase their use temperature and inhibit the sintering of high-temperature resistant components. For organic aerogels, it is necessary to focus on improving the anti-ablation, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties in long-term aerobic high-temperature environments, and on this basis, find cheap raw materials to reduce costs. For carbon aerogels, it is necessary to further explore the balanced relationship between oxidation resistance, mechanics, and thermal insulation properties of materials. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference for the further development of more efficient and reliable aerogel materials for aerospace applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software development has a problem with transparency/visibility. As an intangible product, software and its intermediate development results are hard to see or touch. Customers of custom software have difficulties checking progress, and risk coming out with costly but low-quality software. In the space domain with its often expensive and one-of-a-kind devices, which are developed in complex multitier supply chains, the risk is even greater. This paper presents the SKQuest data set. It contains the completed responses with 190 variables from an empirical study with over 100 software experts. The data set covers distinct aspects of measuring metrics and transparency in software projects. To show what information lies in the data set, the paper investigates, and affirms, from different perspectives, the following questions: Is transparency a problem in software development projects? Is there a desire for more transparency in projects? Can metrics contribute to improving the situation? Moreover, it attempts to replicate the results of an earlier study. The main contribution of this paper is, however, the SKQuest data set that is published with this paper in CSV formatas. It is a tool that enables systematic investigations of software metrics and allows research on how they can improve the efficiency of the software lifecycle, not limited to, but particularly with respect to transparency. Consequently, the paper may serve as a starting point for future research avenues in academia and industry and help to improve existing and future standards in software development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerospace industry faces challenges in managing inventory effectively due to long product life cycles and unpredictable demand. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a promising technology that enables the on-demand production of spare parts, potentially reducing inventory costs and improving supply chain efficiency. This paper proposes a novel conceptual framework for employing AM in the aerospace spare parts industry to isolate demand volatility. A conceptual approach is employed in this study, which involves a comprehensive literature review to identify the factors to consider when employing AM for spare parts and the methods for demand volatility isolation, followed by a structured framework development that outlines the decision-making steps for AM utilization based on the identified factors. The framework outlines a structured approach for using AM to produce spare parts and isolate demand volatility, which can help mitigate the impact of demand uncertainty on inventory management. The proposed approach provides a basis for future research and has the potential to transform how spare parts are produced and managed in the aerospace industry. Overall, this paper contributes to the emerging literature on AM in the aerospace industry by presenting a novel approach to improving inventory management and addressing demand uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the findings of detailed and comprehensive technical literature aimed at identifying the current and future research challenges of tactical autonomy. It discusses in great detail the current state-of-the-art powerful artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robot technologies, and their potential for developing safe and robust autonomous systems in the context of future military and defense applications. Additionally, we discuss some of the technical and operational critical challenges that arise when attempting to practically build fully autonomous systems for advanced military and defense applications. Our paper provides the state-of-the-art advanced AI methods available for tactical autonomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that addresses the important current trends, strategies, critical challenges, tactical complexities, and future research directions of tactical autonomy. We believe this work will greatly interest researchers and scientists from academia and the industry working in the field of robotics and the autonomous systems community. We hope this work encourages researchers across multiple disciplines of AI to explore the broader tactical autonomy domain. We also hope that our work serves as an essential step toward designing advanced AI and ML models with practical implications for real-world military and defense settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the drag coefficient of three models of suborbital rockets with different nosecones. A test section allowing for force measurement of a 1:50 scale rocket model was designed with the aid of numerical simulations. The velocity obtained in the wind tunnel corresponds with a Mach number of 2.45. RANS simulations were used in verifying operating parameters, as well as testing the support configurations for connecting the model with the bottom wall of the tunnel section. Pressure distribution measurements on the top and bottom walls of the wind tunnel matched simulation results well. The shock structure in the test section was visualized using the schlieren technique, revealing that the measured angle of the main shock generated at the tip of the rocket matched the simulation data. Finally, the measured forces were compared with simulations for one of the nosecone configurations. Despite very good agreement for pressure distribution on the wind tunnel walls and shock structure, a significant mismatch in the forces measured was nevertheless observed: the simulated CD (0.57) being four times larger than that obtained in measurements (0.138). Further analysis of the test section is required to pinpoint the source of discrepancies and redesign the force measurement system to achieve improved force results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aerospace Sector Is Very Different From Other Sectors As It Needs High Capital Investment, Continuous Technology Advancement Along With The Drawbacks Of Low-Profit Margin And High Gestation Period. Indian Aerospace Industry Is Growing Fast Due To High Demand In Civil And Military Aviation. The Structure Of The Industry Is Changing Fast, And Opening Up For The Start-Ups At Tier 3 And Tier 2 Levels. It Provides Scope For Innovation And Creativity. Engineers And Scientists Can Use Their Expertise And Become Entrepreneurs. This Paper Emphasizes That There Are Huge Opportunities For Startups In The Aerospace Industry In India Due To The Higher Rate Of Growth Supported By The Government, Availability Of Human Resources, And Investment By Big Original Equipment Manufacturers. This Paper Has Analyzed The Growth Of The Aerospace Industry And Its Changing Shape Resulting In Scope For Entrepreneurship, High- Tech Entrepreneurship, And The Motivation-Behavior Factors For The Entrepreneurship Identified By The Researchers, The Entrepreneurs And The Industry Experts. The Motivating Factors Identified By Them Include Role Models, Education In The Field, Work Experience In An Aerospace Company, Patriotism, Childhood Dream, Opportunities In The Sector, Freedom To Become An Entrepreneur, To Be Own Boss, Push Beyond Status Quo, Research Orientation, Ability To Work On Cutting Edge Technologies, Support From Original Equipment Manufacturers And The Government, And Availability Of Required Human Resources At A Low-Cost. A Conceptual Framework Has Been Developed In The Paper Which Can Be Used For Further Research In The Field. As No Specific Research Is Found In This Field, This Paper Opens Up A New Avenue For Research In This Field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-dimensional (3D) flux machines accommodate many design and analysis challenges. Transverse flux machines (TFMs) are mostly useful for low speed, high torque applications but in this research a fault tolerant transverse flux alternator with segmented stator has been prototyped and several important design and manufacturing challenges have been thoroughly investigated as different scenarios. The proposed machine consists of axially separated, 4-single phase to achieve low speed power of 40 Watts at 400 revolutions/minute (rpm). In addition, the machine must achieve several high-speed specifications at 15,000 rpm. It is demonstrated that the proposed TFM could be an alternative to more conventional radial flux machines in aerospace as validated within the paper. However, the necessity of stator segmentation and the use of soft magnetic composites for the proposed 3D flux machine lead to many important design and optimization considerations. Therefore, this paper investigates the manufacturing and material uncertainties in a TFM for an aerospace application. The results indicate that transverse flux alternator might be an option as an aerospace alternator but the peak performance of the prototype machine is still far from the 3D models investigated using finite element electromagnetic simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims at investigating the multifaceted nature of innovation networks by focusing on two research questions: Do cluster actors exchange only one type of innovation-related knowledge? Do cluster actors play different roles in innovation-related knowledge exchange? Design/methodology/approach – This paper builds on data collected at the firm level in an Italian aerospace cluster, that is a technology-intensive industry where innovation is at the base of local competitiveness. A questionnaire was used to collect both attribute data and relational data concerning collaboration and the flows of knowledge in innovation networks. The authors distinguished among three types of knowledge (technological, managerial and market knowledge) and five types of brokerage roles (coordinator, gatekeeper, liaison, representative and consultant). Data analysis relied on social network analysis techniques and software. Findings – Concerning the first research question, the findings show that different types of knowledge flow in different ways in innovation networks. The different types of knowledge are unevenly exchanged. The exchange of technological knowledge is open to everyone in the cluster. The exchange of market and managerial knowledge is selective. Concerning the second research question, the authors suggest that different types of cluster actors (large firms, small- and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities and institutions for collaboration) do play different roles in innovation networks, especially with reference to the three types of knowledge considered in this study. Research limitations/implications – The present paper has some limitations. First of all, the analysis focuses on just one cluster (one industry in one specific location), cross- and comparative analyses with other clusters may illuminate the findings better, eliminating industry and geographical biases. Second, the paper focuses only on innovation-related knowledge exchanges within the cluster and not across it. Practical implications – The results have practical implications both for policy makers and for managers. First, this research stresses how innovation often originates from a combination of different knowledge types acquired through the collaboration with heterogeneous cluster actors. Further, the analysis of brokerage roles in innovation-driven collaborations may help policy makers in designing programs for knowledge-transfer partnerships among the various actors of a cluster. Social implications – The paper suggests a clear need of developing professional figures capable of operating at the interface of different knowledge domains. Originality/value – The data illuminate several aspects of how innovation takes place in a cluster opening up intriguing aspects that have been overlooked by extant literature. The authors believe that this may trigger several lines of further research on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerospace industry is a hotbed of innovation and technology, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aviation and space exploration. While conventional technologies have long been the backbone of aerospace advancements, nonconventional technologies are now emerging as game-changers that offer new possibilities, improved efficiencies, and exciting opportunities. These nonconventional technologies are revolutionizing how we build, operate, and explore the skies and beyond. In this paper, we will explore some of the most cutting-edge and nonconventional technologies being used in the aerospace industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive acoustic aircraft and wake localization methods rely on the noise emission from aircraft and their wakes for detection, tracking, and characterization. This paper takes a holistic approach to passive acoustic methods and first presents a systematic bibliographic review of aeroacoustic noise of aircraft and drones, followed by a summary of sound generation of wing tip vortices. The propagation of the sound through the atmosphere is then summarized. Passive acoustic localization techniques utilize an array of microphones along with the known character of the aeroacoustic noise source to determine the characteristics of the aircraft or its wake. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge of acoustic localization with an emphasis on beamforming and machine learning techniques. This review brings together the fields of aeroacoustics and acoustic-based detection the advance the passive acoustic localization techniques in aerospace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for efficient and robust control algorithms to optimize the performance of autonomous systems. Traditional control techniques often struggle to handle the complexity and uncertainty associated with such systems. To address these challenges, hybrid neuro-fuzzy-genetic algorithms have emerged as a promising approach. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of hybrid neuro-fuzzy-genetic algorithms for optimal control of autonomous systems. The proposed algorithms combine the strengths of neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms to achieve adaptive and optimal control in real-time scenarios. The neurofuzzy component provides the ability to model and handle complex and uncertain systems, while the genetic algorithm component facilitates the optimization of control parameters. The combination of these techniques enables autonomous systems to adapt and optimize their control strategies based on changing environments and objectives. The paper discusses the underlying principles of hybrid neuro-fuzzy-genetic algorithms, their advantages, and challenges. It also provides a review of the state-of-the-art research in this field, highlighting successful applications and potential future directions. Overall, the integration of neuro-fuzzy-genetic algorithms in autonomous systems holds great promise for achieving optimal control in various domains, including robotics, aerospace, and autonomous vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aerospace applications, SiOx deposition on perovskite solar cells makes them more stable. However, the reflectance of the light changes and the current density decreases can lower the efficiency of the solar cell. The thickness of the perovskite material, ETL, and HTL must be re-optimized, and testing the number of cases experimentally takes a long time and costs a lot of money. In this paper, an OPAL2 simulation was used to find the thickness and material of ETL and HTL that reduces the amount of light reflected by the perovskite material in a perovskite solar cell with a silicon oxide film. In our simulations, we used an air/SiO2/AZO/transport layer/perovskite structure to find the ratio of incident light to the current density generated by the perovskite material and the thickness of the transport layer to maximize the current density. The results showed that when 7 nm of ZnS material was used for CH3NH3PbI3-nanocrystalline perovskite material, a high ratio of 95.3% was achieved. In the case of CsFAPbIBr with a band gap of 1.70 eV, a high ratio of 94.89% was shown when ZnS was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, Big Data applications have attracted ever-increasing attention in several scientific and business domains. Biomedicine, transportation, entertainment, and aerospace are only a few examples of sectors which are increasingly dependent on applications, where knowledge is extracted from huge volumes of heterogeneous data. The main goal of this paper was to conduct an academic literature review of prominent publications revolving around the application of BD in aerospace. A total of 67 publications were analyzed, highlighting the sources, uses, and benefits of BD. For categorizing the publications, a novel 6-fold approach was introduced including applications in aviation technology and aviation management, UAV-enabled applications, applications in military aviation, health/environment-related applications, and applications in space technology. Aiming to provide the reader with a clear overview of the existing solutions, a total of 15 subcategories were also utilized. The results indicated numerous benefits deriving from the application of BD in aerospace. These benefits referred to the aerospace domain itself as well as to many other sectors including healthcare, environment, humanitarian operations, network communications, etc. Various data sources and different Machine Learning models were utilized in the analyzed publications and the use of BD-based techniques enabled us to extract useful correlations and gain useful insights from large volumes of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in innovative optical sensor networks has displayed remarkable potential in providing precise and dependable thermal measurements in hostile environments on Earth. Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets serve as critical components of spacecraft and are employed to regulate the temperature of sensitive components by reflecting or absorbing thermal radiation. To enable accurate and continuous monitoring of temperature along the length of the insulative barrier without compromising its flexibility and low weight, FBG sensors can be embedded within the thermal blanket, thereby enabling distributed temperature sensing. This capability can aid in optimizing the thermal regulation of the spacecraft and ensuring the reliable and safe operation of vital components. Furthermore, FBG sensors offer sev eral advantages over traditional temperature sensors, including high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the ability to operate in harsh environments. These properties make FBG sensors an excellent option for thermal blankets in space applications, where precise temperature regulation is crucial for mission success. Nevertheless, the calibration of temperature sensors in vacuum conditions poses a significant challenge due to the lack of an appropriate calibration reference. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate innovative solutions for calibrating temperature sensors in vacuum conditions. The proposed solutions have the potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of temperature measurements in space applications, which can enable engineers to develop more resilient and dependable spacecraft systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight fiber-reinforced composite structures have been applied in aerospace for decades. Their mechanical properties are crucial for the safety of aircraft and mainly depend on manufacturing technologies such as autoclave, resin transfer molding and automated layup technology. In recent years, the rapid development of intelligent technology such as big data, deep learning, and machine learning has encouraged the development of manufacturing technologies to become low-cost, automatic, and intelligent. However, the current situation and intellectualization of manufacturing technologies is not well summarized. This paper reviews the advances in manufacturing technologies for fiber-reinforced composite structures, including autoclave, out of autoclave, resin transfer molding technologies, automated layup technology and additive manufacturing technology. Then, these technologies are compared in advantages and disadvantages, and their intellectualization development and challenges are also discussed. Finally, the development trend of intelligent manufacturing technologies and intelligent composite structures are discussed. This work can provide a reference for researchers in the related filed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the influence of sulphuric acid anodizing electrochemical process on surface treatment adhesion, by testing two distinct scenarios. The paper presents the general context in the aerospace industry related to product service life, as well as give in depth information related to the sulphuric acid anodizing electrochemical process. It presents the general principle of sulphuric acid anodizing, equipment used and the results of the process. Details are provided related to surface treatment, paint application techniques, also explanation of adhesion testing technique used to collect the result for this paper. Conclusions are drawn based on the tests performed, which clearly show evidence of the influence of sulphuric acid anodizing process on surface treatment adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoclave is the technology that has been extensively used to manufacture high-grade performance composite parts for aerospace applications. This technology has been limited to aerospace industries only, primarily due to its high cost in manufacturing parts. The researchers then considered an alternative approach "Out-of-autoclave" (OOA) process, aiming at cost and time optimization. Nonautoclave methods such as OOA cure processes have been developed lately. The OOA process has a high potential for a drastic cost reduction in the manufacturing of composite aerospace structures. It processes parts that have a quality similar to that of parts cured using the autoclave technology. Specially designed OOA prepregs are available in the market for OOA processing, some of which are certified for aerospace manufacturing. This review paper briefly focuses on OOA prepregs and OOA processes that are used for aerospace components manufacturing. Future areas of development in the aerospace sector based on cost optimization and faster cycle times are also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the potential application of electrical discharge machining using wire on high hardness aerospace materials, such as titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V annealed beta-extruded. The paper presents the general context of the current aerospace product requirements with relation to the machining of close tolerance samples for mechanical properties testing. It shows the general principle of wire electrical discharge machining (Wire EDM) as well as the equipment configurations available on the market. Details are provided related to aerospace materials, with emphasis on titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and the current requirements related to the material testing. In depth description of the tensile testing samples is given as an input to the proposed solution which applies the Wire EDM technology to the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V aerospace material in order to provide an improved solution to conventional machining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific community is and has constantly been working to innovate and improve the available technologies in our use. In that effort, three-dimensional (3D) printing was developed that can construct 3D objects from a digital file. Three-dimensional printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has seen tremendous growth over the last three decades, and in the last five years, its application has widened significantly. Three-dimensional printing technology has the potential to fill the gaps left by the limitations of the current manufacturing technologies, and it has further become exciting with the addition of a time dimension giving rise to the concept of four-dimensional (4D) printing, which essentially means that the structures created by 4D printing undergo a transformation over time under the influence of internal or external stimuli. The created objects are able to adapt to changing environmental variables such as moisture, temperature, light, pH value, etc. Since their introduction, 3D and 4D printing technologies have extensively been used in the healthcare, aerospace, construction, and fashion industries. Although 3D printing has a highly promising future, there are still a number of challenges that must be solved before the technology can advance. In this paper, we reviewed the recent advances in 3D and 4D printing technologies, the available and potential materials for use, and their current and potential future applications. The current and potential role of 3D printing in the imperative fight against COVID-19 is also discussed. Moreover, the major challenges and developments in overcoming those challenges are addressed. This document provides a cutting-edge review of the materials, applications, and challenges in 3D and 4D printing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the study of power/ground (P/G) supply-induced jitter (PGSIJ) on a cascaded inverter output buffer. The PGSIJ analysis covers the IO buffer transient simulation under P/G supply voltage variation at three process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) corners defined at different working temperatures and distinct P / G DC supply voltages at the pre-driver (i.e., V D D / V S S ) and last stage (i.e., V D D Q / V S S Q ). Firstly, the induced jitter contributions by the pre-driver, as well as the last, stage are compared and studied. Secondly, the shared and decoupled P/G supply topologies are investigated. The outcomes of these simulation analyses with respect to worst case jitter corners are determined, while highlighting the importance of modeling the pre-driver circuit behavior to include the induced jitter in the input–output buffer information specification (IBIS)-like model. Accordingly, the measured PGSIJ depends on the corners to be analyzed and, therefore, the designer needs to explore the worst-case corner for the driver's technology node and the most supply voltage noise affecting the jitter output for signal and power integrity (SiPI) simulations. Finally, the jitter transfer function sensitivity to the amplitude and frequency/phase variations of the separate and combined impacts of the pre-driver and last stage are explored, while discussing the superposition of the power supply induced jitter (PSIJ) induced by both the driver's IO stages under small signal and large signal supply voltage variations. The linear superposition of the separate PSIJ effects by the pre-driver and last stage depends on the amplitude of the variation of the supply voltage that can drive the transistor to their nonlinear working regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aircraft structural analysis is a process that involves several engineers working concurrently to analyze in detail all structural elements of an airframe, as well as the behavior of the aircraft structure as a whole. The airframe has to be decomposed in its major components such as fuselage sections, wings and control surfaces to allow the distribution of the analyses among the engineers. Finite element models (FEM) are created for each major component and used in the analyses. The major components, such as the wing, are further decomposed into its constituent parts, such as spars, ribs, and stringers; which might be modeled in more detail using dedicated FEMs. It's a great challenge to manage the evolution of the structural modifications that happen during the course of these analyses. Design changes originated from stress analysis using higher fidelity FEMs have to be transferred to the lower fidelity FEMs and an assembly of the whole airframe FEM needs to be created and analyzed once again, using the correct versions of all the FEMs of the major parts. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the solution implemented by Embraer to overcome these challenges, by using the Simulation Process and Data Management (SPDM) technology. Embraer embarked on the SPDM journey eight years ago and during past years has matured various aspects of their SPDM implementation. The focus of the paper is on explaining applications of the SPDM system in the area of structural analysis at Embraer with a couple of representative business processes as examples, including the rapid generation and evaluation of aircraft assemblies and the consolidation and standardization of various simulation methods across the organization, by making those available over the SPDM platform. Key enablers for increasing simulation throughput and data traceability at Embraer are described. In addition, the approach that Embraer took for ongoing additions of new business processes to the SPDM system is presented. The results of the SPDM implementation at Embraer are encouraging, showing qualitative and quantitative gains of productivity and management of engineering data. The standardization and automation of engineering processes and the proper management of data generated by these processes are becoming an integral part of any competitive engineering department nowadays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the development, current use, and future potential of magnesium alloys in the aerospace industry. Magnesium alloys are valued for their high specific strength, stiffness, excellent damping properties, electromagnetic shielding, and thermal conductivity. These properties make them particularly useful for manufacturing critical components in aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft, as they reduce weight and enhance performance. China is a leading producer of magnesium alloys, with substantial use in aerospace, contributing to lighter aircraft and spacecraft, improved maneuverability, and lower launch costs. Despite their advantages, magnesium alloys face challenges, including poor corrosion resistance, low strength at high temperatures, and casting difficulties. The paper discusses the evolution of magnesium alloys, noting their early use in the 20th century and a resurgence in the 1990s. It highlights ongoing research to develop magnesium-rare earth (Mg-RE) alloys, which offer better strength and high-temperature resistance. The paper also outlines the limitations of magnesium alloys compared to aluminum alloys, which remain dominant due to superior overall performance. In the future, advancements in surface treatments, manufacturing processes, and alloy compositions are crucial for overcoming current limitations, enabling broader use of magnesium alloys in aerospace applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The following paper is a "Q&A interview" conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry PhD and innovator regarding his pioneering efforts and his personal journey of bringing a technological invention to market. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: The interviewee is Dr Howard Chizeck, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington (UW). Professor Chizeck is a research testbed leader for the Center for Neurotechnology (a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center) and also co-director of the UW BioRobotics Laboratory. In this interview, Chizeck shares the details on his latest startup, Olis Robotics. Findings: Howard Jay Chizeck received his BS and MS degrees from Case Western Reserve University and the ScD degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served as Chair of the Department of Systems, Control and Industrial Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and was also the Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Washington. His telerobotic research includes haptic navigation and control for telerobotic devices, including robotic surgery and underwater systems. His neural engineering work involves the design and security of brain-machine interfaces and the development of devices to control symptoms of essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. Originality/value: Professor Chizeck was elected as a Fellow of the IEEE in 1999 "for contributions to the use of control system theory in biomedical engineering" and he was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows in 2011 for "contributions to the use of control system theory in functional electrical stimulation assisted walking." From 2008 to 2012, he was a member of the Science Technology Advisory Panel of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Professor Chizeck currently serves on the Visiting Committee of the Case School of Engineering (Case Western Reserve University). He is a founder and advisor of Controlsoft Inc (Ohio) and also is a founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Olis Robotics, Inc., which was established in 2013 (under the name of BluHaptics) to commercialize haptic rendering, haptic navigation and other UW telerobotic technologies. He holds approximately 20 patents, and he has published more than 250 scholarly papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, it is shown how to obtain a low-cost, high-resolution, and fault-robust position sensing system for permanent-magnet synchronous motor drives operating in safety-critical systems, by combining binary Hall-effect sensors with high-frequency signal injection. It is shown that the position error signal obtained via signal injection can be merged easily into the quantization-harmonic-decoupling vector-tracking observer that is used to process the Hall-effect sensor signals. The resulting algorithm provides accurate, high-resolution estimates of speed and position throughout the entire speed range; compared to the state-of-the-art drives using Hall-effect sensors alone, the low-speed performance is greatly improved in healthy conditions and also following position sensor faults. It is envisaged that such a sensing system can be successfully used in applications requiring IEC 61508 SIL 3 or ISO 26262 ASIL D compliance, due to its extremely high mean time to failure and to the very fast recovery of the drive following Hall-effect sensor faults at low speeds. Extensive simulation and experimental results are provided on a 3.7-kW interior permanent-magnet drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerospace thin-walled parts have a complex structure and high accuracy. Factors such as original residual stress, fixing, and machining may make low-rigidity parts deform easily, which is difficult for traditional craftwork to forecast and control. Especially in machining big aerospace parts, original residual stress has a great effect on machining deflection. In this paper finite element model of original residual stress is established to analyze the corresponding deflection by machining aerospace thin-walled parts. Simulation results are validated consistent with experimental results approximately. At last the paper puts forward the corresponding mend methods to control the deflection caused by original residual stress during the actual machining process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the space industry approaches a period of rapid change, securing both emerging and legacy satellite missions will become vital. However, space technology has been largely overlooked by the systems security community. This survey seeks to understand why this is the case and to offer a starting point for technical security researchers seeking impactful contributions beyond the Earth's mesosphere. The paper begins with a cross-disciplinary synthesis of relevant threat models from a diverse array of fields, ranging from legal and policy studies to aerospace engineering. This is presented as a "threat matrix toolbox," which security researchers may leverage to motivate technical research into given attack vectors and defenses. We derive this model from an original chronology of > 100 significant satellite hacking incidents spanning the previous 60 years. Together, these are used to assess the state-of-the-art in satellite security across four sub-domains: satellite radio-link security, space hardware security, ground station security, and operational/mission security. In each area, we note significant findings and unresolved questions which the systems security community is aptly poised to tackle. By consolidating this research, we present the case that satellite systems security researchers can build on strong, but disparate, academic foundations and rise to meet an urgent need for future space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability considerations are traditionally difficult to trade-off with technical and business requirements in an early design phase. Hence, design teams need support to reflect early on in the process, on how sustainability may affect profitability and customer value fulfilment in the long term. The commoditisation of modelling and simulation techniques points to gamification and serious gaming as emerging approaches to raise awareness among the design team - as well as users and stakeholders - of the expected behaviour of a solution along its life cycle. The objective of this paper is to explore how serious games can be used to inform decision-makers about the value versus cost implications of being (or not being) 'sustainability compliant' when designing products and systems. The paper initially presents the findings from a descriptive study focused on the definition of 'design support' intended to raise sustainability awareness through serious gaming. It further describes the development, application and testing of one of such games for material selection in the aerospace industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, binary Hall-effect sensor faults are investigated in rectangular-current-fed brushless dc (BLDC) drives and a very effective methodology for their detection, identification, and compensation is explored. It is shown that these faults cause erroneous commutation, generally leading to unstable operation. Using a fault detection and identification technique proposed by the authors in a recent paper on low-cost field-oriented drives, it is possible to pinpoint the faulty sensors. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the destabilizing effect of these faults on motion-state estimation can be compensated for in any position and speed estimation algorithm, as long as it is properly readapted. To this end, it is shown how to incorporate such fault-compensation in three state-of-the-art estimation algorithms: 1) the zeroth-order algorithm (ZOA); 2) the hybrid observer (HO); and 3) the vector-tracking observer (VTO). Comparative experimental tests are performed and it is verified that stable operation is achieved with three, two, or only a single Hall-effect sensor functioning correctly. These results show that the classical BLDC drive with three Hall-effect sensors has an inherent double redundancy to position-sensor faults. With the proposed method, this property can be exploited in systems that require very high reliability, such as in aerospace and automotive applications. Redundancy can be increased, using more than three Hall-effect sensors; reduced using two sensors; or eliminated using a single sensor, in ultra low-cost applications where redundancy is not a requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]