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Aerospace Design and Structures

Modeling takes the lead in driving materials research for the future

By Terrisa Duenas and Ed Glaessgen|December 2018

The Materials Technical Committee promotes interest, understanding and use of advanced materials in aerospace products where aerospace systems have a critical dependency on material weight, multifunctionality and lifecycle performance.

In the realm of unmanned aircraft, long-duration mission profiles and increased reliability this year motivated development of innovative multifunctional mechano-luminescence-
optoelectronic, MLO, composites to be integrated into next-generation unmanned aircraft at New Mexico Tech in collaboration with NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. MLO composites are composed of two functional constituents, such as mechano-luminescent copper-doped zinc sulfide-based elastomeric composites and mechano-optoelectronic poly (3-hexylthiophene)-based self-sensing thin films. MLO composites can be integrated with fiber-reinforced polymer composites to create autonomous composites, AutoCom, that exhibit a self-powered strain sensing capability that enables detection of fatigue damage and a mechanical-radiant-electrical energy harvesting capability that provides supplemental energy to the aircraft.

Researchers at the University of Alabama in January quantified efficiency of self-healing composites in Mode-1, the term for testing double-cantilever beams of composite. They determined the interlaminar fracture toughness using the ASTM-D5528-13 standard for such double-cantilever beam, or DCB, tests. Seven separate healing cycles with thermoplastic healants were performed to assess healing repeatability with maximum healing efficiencies of 73 percent, and 63 percent achieved after the seventh healing cycle for DCB specimens with and without shape memory polymers, respectively. The importance of this “close then heal mechanism” investigation of dispersed shape memory polymers along the delamination plane was demonstrated.

In March, NASA published its much anticipated technical report, “Vision 2040: A Roadmap for Integrated, Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Materials and Systems.” Publication of this vision was significant, because materials scientists in the past separated modeling from experimentation. The vision draws these two functions together, so that in the future a simulation can span across all modeling scales to include the structure. The vision was developed under NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technology Project to define the potential 25-year future state required for integrated multiscale modeling of materials and systems to accelerate the pace and reduce the expense of innovation in future aerospace and aeronautical systems. Such an interdisciplinary effort with multiple stakeholders from various backgrounds coming together has profound implications for any engineering community optimization of the development of load-bearing structures.

This road map is a community consensus document and is a result of input from about 450 professionals. This input was obtained through a series of workshops organized by AIAA, the International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community (also known as NAFEMS) and the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. Also, a communitywide survey was conducted, and a variety of expert panels were convened. This road map is intended to provide strategic guidance to both public and private research and development decision-makers to achieve the proposed vision for the year 2040.

In the photo: When twisted and deformed, an MLO (mechano-luminescence-optoelectronic) composite generates measurable direct current. New Mexico Tech has conducted research on MLO technology for unmanned aircraft. Credit: New Mexico Tech

2018 Year in Review

Aerospace Design and Structures

A large teal and blue rotorblade model is suspended in a wind tunnel for testing. Various organization logos, including NASA, are displayed on the model.

Advancing a new generation of tiltrotors

Two technicians in blue helmets work on large machinery components inside an aircraft engine bay, ensuring maintenance and inspection.

Researchers advance probabilistic analysis for greater efficiency and safety

A sleek, black aircraft model inside a wind tunnel testing facility. The model is secured to the ground with cables and surrounded by metallic surfaces and equipment.

Structural dynamicists turn out important lab work despite another year of covid

Aerospace Outreach

An astronaut in a blue shirt floats in a cluttered space station module, with various equipment and wires around. Another astronaut is visible in the background.

A year of breaking ground: moon landings, asteroid samples and diverse spaceflight crews

Two men in headset gear. One in a white uniform, and the other, identified as Armstrong on his suit, in a spacesuit holding a helmet. Equipment visible in the background.

50 years after Apollo 11, the world took note

A futuristic cityscape at dusk with drones and flying vehicles landing on a rooftop helipad of a high-rise building.

Turning-point year for urban mobility, electric aircraft

Aerospace Sciences

A night sky filled with stars features a bright green and blue glowing cloud-like formation near the center.

Sounding rockets, simulations advance understanding of complex environments

A device undergoing a test, emitting a pale pink and purple flame. The setup includes mechanical components and a metallic surface, indicating a controlled experiment or engineering process.

Growing demand for flight data and plasma wind tunnels in Europe, U.S. to study reentry conditions

Close-up of a spacecraft module with labeled parts: comars 1, 2, 3, and radiometer.

Validating advanced thermophysics models

Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations

A stealth bomber aircraft is captured in mid-flight from below, showcasing its triangular shape and underside landing gear against a clear blue sky.

First flights and diverse applications headline 2023 activity

A large white airship is tethered on an airfield, with several people standing nearby under a clear blue sky.

Largest airship since Hindenburg begins test flights, other ventures progress toward commercialization

A large vehicle, covered in a bright blue tarp, is situated on a trailer in a spacious industrial workshop area. Various machinery and equipment are visible in the background.

Aircraft operators rebound but continue to struggle with delays

Engineering and Technology Management

British F-35Bs

Vertical flight continues to grow

Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo

Accelerating change on systems engineering tenets

Atmospheric picture of space

A century ago, aviation became an industry

Information Systems

A white NASA drone is parked on an airstrip with a small propeller airplane visible in the background.

Progress on avoidance, guidance and displays

Illustration depicting drones flying through designated aerial corridors over a landscape with buildings, wind turbines, and a cloudy sky.

Multisensor systems and information fusion enables new capabilities in multiple domains, from U.S. Space Force to urban air mobility

Image of Earth surrounded by a network of interconnected satellites in space, illustrating global communication or satellite coverage.

Low-Earth orbit megaconstellations reach record capacity

Integration

Visualization of airflow simulation over an aircraft wing, showing turbulent flow patterns in shades of purple and pink, with a color scale indicating high to low velocity regions.

Continued progress toward the CFD Vision 2030 goals

Close-up of a mechanical device showing labeled components: a nozzle, a plate with cooling holes, and a cooling air plenum, against a textured background.

Marching toward the 2030 vision of CFD

A white and blue supersonic jet flies over a vast desert landscape with mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Boom’s demonstrator took flight, NASA continued X-59 preparations

Program Committees

Tests at the Lockheed Martin Low Speed Wind Tunnel in Ohio

Going green moves to higher gear

solar-powered Aquila high-altitude unmanned aircraft

Unmanned integration efforts gain speed

NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed in Sandusky, Ohio

Electric efforts gaining power

Propulsion and Energy

A rocket launches into the sky, emitting a large plume of orange smoke and flames.

Many companies and agencies achieve new launch capabilities with more to come

A rocket launches into the night sky, surrounded by smoke and illuminated against the darkness.

A year of firsts in liquid propulsion

inlet of a turbine-based combined cycle engine

Progress seen in tech underlying high-speed flight

Space and Missiles

A rocket on a launch pad.

Small and large launch companies report successes

Aerial view of a densely built urban area with a large road intersection, featuring varied building sizes and open spaces.

Record launch included 100 small satellites

A gray military aircraft with multiple engines is flying against a clear blue sky.

Hypersonic work escalates on multiple fronts

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Modeling takes the lead in driving materials research for the future