- Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project presentation (PDF) (Link opens new browser window
- Environmentally Responsible Aviation Technical Overview presentation (PDF) (Link opens new browser window
Research in the area of green aviation is done through following branches:
- Acoustics Branch
- Combustion Branch
- Inlet & Nozzle Branch
- Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Branch
- Turbomachinery and Heat Transfer Branch
(Link opens new browser window
Acoustics Branch (Link opens new browser window
Engineers in the Acoustics Branch at GRC are conducting research to understand the underlying physics that will enable the development of quieter airplanes.
› Find out more (Link opens new browser windo
Related Articles and Information
(Link opens new browser window |
Shhhh! Keep It Down, Please (Link opens new browser window It's a noisy world out there, especially around the nation's busiest airports. NASA is looking at new technologies and aircraft designs that can quiet things down a bit. |
(Link opens new browser window
Combustion Branch (Link opens new browser window
The Combustion Branch conducts fundamental and applied research aimed at advancing technology for combustors, combustion processes, and emission reduction of aeronautical gas turbine engines and space propulsion. The research is applicable to high-speed aircraft, rotorcraft, general aviation/commuter aircraft, subsonic transports, and cruise missiles for civil and/or military applications.
› Find out more (Link opens new browser windo
› See also: the "Alternative Fuels" section
Related Articles and Information
(Link opens new browser window |
Biofuels as an Alternative Fuel Source for Aviation (Link opens new browser window The sustainability of aviation directly depends on the availability of fuel. With the growing gap between production and demand, increasing prices, and concentration of known reserves in politically unstable regions, biofuels are considered a viable alternative to securing the future of aviation. Biofuels are a renewable energy source, which can be customized to different fuel needs, including jet fuel. GRC has initiated a pilot program to develop in-house capabilities to study two principal sources of biofuels: sea water algae and arid land halophytes. › View full presentation (Link opens new browser window) RELATED STORY |
(Link opens new browser window |
Alternative Fuel Research Addresses Nation's Energy Independence GRC is leading a NASA research effort to convert some of the nation's natural energy sources—coal, natural gas (methane), biomass and shale oil—into a cleaner and more economical alternative to traditional commercial jet fuel. |
(Link opens new browser window |
Alternative Fuels and Their Potential Impact on Aviation (Link opens new browser window With a growing gap between the growth rate of petroleum production and demand, and with mounting environmental needs, the aircraft industry is investigating issues related to fuel availability, candidates for alternative fuels, and improved aircraft fuel efficiency. Bio-derived fuels, methanol, ethanol, liquid natural gas, liquid hydrogen, and synthetic fuels are considered in this study for their potential to replace or supplement conventional jet fuels. NASA/TM – 2006-214356; ICAS-2006-5.8.2 › Read the full Technical Report (Link opens new browser window |
The Inlet and Nozzle Branch conducts fundamental and applied research to advance the state of the art in inlets and nozzles for aircraft engines and other aerospace applications. The research is applicable to commercial and military aircraft and space propulsion systems.
› Find out more (Link opens new browser windo
>> Return to Top
Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Branch
The Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Branch at GRC is committed to revolutionizing propulsion, power, and communications technologies to ensure the U.S. industry’s global preeminence in both aeronautics and space. These technologies will lead to environmentally friendly and economically viable air transportation, improve our understanding of the universe, and enable human and robotic exploration of the solar system.
› Find out more (Link opens new browser windo
>> Return to Top
Turbomachinery and Heat Transfer Branch
The Turbomachinery and Heat Transfer Branch conducts fundamental and applied research to advance the state of the art in turbomachinery for gas turbine engines, pumps for rocket engines, and heat transfer for aerospace applications. The research is applicable to civil and military aircraft, industrial engines, and space vehicles. The research has also been applied to such diverse applications as automotive fans, vacuum cleaner impellers, and jet-ski impellers.