Students from India's SRM University have designed a shape-shifting engine that uses intelligent materials (shape memory alloys) to reduce noise pollution.
Flying into the future —
Students from India's SRM University have designed a shape-shifting engine that uses intelligent materials (shape memory alloys) to reduce noise pollution.
Airbus
Other ideas that have come out of the student FYI competition include planes powered by decomposed organic matter, or, bio-LNG -- a blend of sustainably produced liquefied biomethane and liquefied natural gas. The idea was put forth by students at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Flying into the future —
Other ideas that have come out of the student FYI competition include planes powered by decomposed organic matter, or, bio-LNG -- a blend of sustainably produced liquefied biomethane and liquefied natural gas. The idea was put forth by students at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Airbus
Using the same technology employed in an air hockey table, students from the University of São Paulo have devised a system of loading and unloading luggage that allows bags to float on and off the aircraft. This should cut down on wait time at the carousel.
Flying into the future —
Using the same technology employed in an air hockey table, students from the University of São Paulo have devised a system of loading and unloading luggage that allows bags to float on and off the aircraft. This should cut down on wait time at the carousel.
Airbus
Students from the Technical University of Milan designed specially-shaped rechargeable batteries that drop into the cargo hold, creating a kind of hybrid engine. These could cut fuel usage by 60%.
Flying into the future —
Students from the Technical University of Milan designed specially-shaped rechargeable batteries that drop into the cargo hold, creating a kind of hybrid engine. These could cut fuel usage by 60%.
Airbus
Green fuels have been given a boost this month with the help of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2F11%2F29%2Ftech%2Fsolar-impulse%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Solar Impulse</a>, a solar-powered airplane <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F05%2F13%2Ftech%2Fsolar-plane%2Findex.html" target="_blank">making its way across America</a>. The plane is breaking distance records for solar flight, and proving that aviation can be a zero-emission enterprise.
Jet fuel's eco-future —
Green fuels have been given a boost this month with the help of the Solar Impulse, a solar-powered airplane making its way across America. The plane is breaking distance records for solar flight, and proving that aviation can be a zero-emission enterprise.
Courtesy Fred Merz/Solar Impulse
Airbus has long toyed with the idea of implementing body-heat harnessing technology. Seats lined with a thermoelectric fabric could convert passenger temperature into electricity, which could in turn charge small electronics, or even the cabin lights. Airbus' Dale King admits the idea is a long way off, but concedes it "has potential."<br />
Body heat idea —
Airbus has long toyed with the idea of implementing body-heat harnessing technology. Seats lined with a thermoelectric fabric could convert passenger temperature into electricity, which could in turn charge small electronics, or even the cabin lights. Airbus' Dale King admits the idea is a long way off, but concedes it "has potential."
Airbus
Perpetua Power, a startup in Corvallis, Oregon, has pushed the technology along by developing a chip that can turn body heat into electric energy.
Body heat idea —
Perpetua Power, a startup in Corvallis, Oregon, has pushed the technology along by developing a chip that can turn body heat into electric energy.
Perpetua Power
Architects from Paris Habitat have designed a system to harness the body heat emitted by passengers at the Rambuteau Metro station to supply radiant under-floor heating for 17 apartments in a nearby public housing project.
Body heat technology —
Architects from Paris Habitat have designed a system to harness the body heat emitted by passengers at the Rambuteau Metro station to supply radiant under-floor heating for 17 apartments in a nearby public housing project.
Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images
Though new to flight, body heat capturing technology is well-established elsewhere. The Mall of America in Minnesota uses body heat from more than 40 million visitors to keep the space a comfortable 70 degrees year-round.
Body heat technology —
Though new to flight, body heat capturing technology is well-established elsewhere. The Mall of America in Minnesota uses body heat from more than 40 million visitors to keep the space a comfortable 70 degrees year-round.
Getty Images/Bill Pugliano