Magnetostriction is a type of smart material that has been very successful but comes with complexity. As the name sounds Magnetostriction can produce a morphing effect by undergoing the magnetic field. An example of Magnetostriction is Terfeno-D, it can produce a huge strain with a less magnetic field. The actuator was made on the basis of Terfenol-D to show how effective Magnetostriction is and it showed some good results. Max Force = 410N Motion Distance = 45mm Max Speed = 60mm per minute Magnetostriction is a way better actuator when compared with piezoelectric actuators since they can p ..read more

Electroactive Polymers are one of the smart materials which are being used currently in lightweight aircraft. Similar to other smart materials these too stimulate externally, just as the given name, it does stimulate with electricity to perform morphing. Such a change in the shape of the body can be achieved even when the strain is as high as 300%. https://bit.ly/2YPMPH9 EAP’s are categorized into: Dielectric Elastomers, Ionic Polymer Metal Composites, and Polyvinylidene Flouride Advantages • Extremely Lightweight • Low power consumption • Fracture Tolerant • Very Flexible Disadvantages • Requ ..read more

Shape memory polymer (SMP) is similar to SMA in a way since it also has a memory effect. They can regain their original position after undergoing stimulus externally such as Light, Heat, Waves like microwaves, etc. They have high Young’s modulus for transition and low Young’s modulus for their elastic state. While They undergo transition period the material changes between a state which is glassy and hard, resulting in high Young’s modulus and soft elastic state resulting in low Young’s modulus. They are recommended for morphing structures since it has high toleration regarding deformation an ..read more

If you ever traveled on an airplane before, you would have been through experiences like ear-popping, weird taste or sometimes even harder to breathe as compared to how you are back down here. Well, this is due to pressure difference which is why airplane cabins are pressurized. So, first of all just to clear it out oxygen level is almost the same at 30000ft – 40000ft as it is at sea level. What makes the difference is the pressure. As you go higher pressure decreases which is why oxygen molecules are spread at long distances so you feel hard to breathe. This is known as Hypoxia and can ..read more

The lift phenomena is quite an interesting one and many people still have the wrong concept of lift including pilots and many aircraft technicians or maintenance engineers.  NASA has outlined the wrong ones. The most commonly used theory among many pilots and even aircraft engineers is the Equal Transit or long path theory. The Equal Transit theory explains that the on the top surface pressure must be low and at the bottom surface pressure must be high which is correct way to explain lift as pressure difference is what needed; however, the way of explanation is wrong, and this theory w ..read more

Shape memory alloys are metal alloys that are able to regain their original shape after undergoing external stimulation. In this case, external stimulation is due to Temperature. There are points of Transition for SMA’s Martensitic start(Ms) and Martensitic finish(Mf)  and Austenite start(As) and Austenite finish(Af). As the SMA material undergoes external stimulation from heat and the cycle repeats continuously the material gets high strain which can be recovered when the Temperature crosses Ms. Shows how Ms Mf and As Af system works SMA can withstand high load and can last longer than m ..read more

Table 2.1 Various technologies available under two categories of AM for Titanium Alloys [11] Additive Manufacturing Category Technology Description Powder Bed Fusion [PBF] Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Uses laser and metal powder for sintering and bonding Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) Uses laser and metal powder for sintering, melting and bonding Laser Melting (LM) Uses laser and metal powder for melting and bonding Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Uses laser and metal powder for melting and bonding LaserCUSIN ..read more

We were fortunate enough to be listed at 57 on this amazing site where you can find several aviation blogs. We would like to thank feedspot for their consideration and wish them good luck to keep up the amazing work they have started which not only helps young bloggers but also give them exposure. https://blog.feedspot.com/aviation_blogs/ The post Feedspot [Alphaaviator listed in Top 60] appeared first on Alpha Aviator ..read more

Aircraft Warning Light, also commonly known as Obstruction Lighting, are warning lights used as a precaution to notify aircraft about any tall structure in order to avoid collision with it. These Low, Medium or High-intensity lights are used to make structure more visible to any aircraft during both day and night. Applications: Obstruction lights are mostly used on tall structures such as Communication Towers, High-rise Building, Elevated Bridges, Cranes, Windmills, Chimneys, etc. However, many shorter structures located nearby the airports also require to have obstruction light inst ..read more

Additive Manufacturing is quite old today but still considered by some to be relatively new in the grand scheme of things from an implementation point of view. It is helpful to think about the object to be manufactured using this technique from the ground up across cross-sections taken at minute intervals [10]. Stereolithography has clearly played a very important role in developing the Additive Manufacturing Process with metals and plastic that we have come to know today which makes it impossible to ignore this aspect of history, no matter how unrelated it may appear to some. The Wohler ..read more