Airship Research

MAAT EU FP7 Advanced Airship who’s who? – University of Hertfordshire

Paul Stewart

The EU FP7 project – MAAT Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport kicks off on 1st September 2011. Here’s another participant in the project, The University of Hertfordshire Dept. Aeronautical Engineering

Organization: University of Hertfordshire UK

General Description

Aeronautical Engineering research at the University of Hertfordshire draws upon a great heritage going back to the original establishment of Hatfield Technical College by de Havilland Aircraft Company in 1951. The re- search areas in the School range from advanced computational modelling and simulation to experimental testing using large scale facilities. The typical research areas include Applied Aerodynamics in UH which is focused on the use of experimental and numerical aerodynamic techniques to understand and exploit fluid mechanics in real aerospace applications. There is ongoing research funded by EPSRC and industry in the field of renewable en- ergy that includes wind energy, wave energy, bio-fuels and fuel cell technology. Excellent design and manufac- turing capabilities such rapid prototyping are available to undertake product design and development assign- ments. Experimental facilities include 5 wind tunnels that offer testing facilities from low speed to supersonic wind tunnels, flight simulator, nanotester and SEM.

Main related expertise

Dr Rajnish Kaur Calay. Dr Calay is a Reader in Energy Systems and group leader of SET research group. She obtained her PhD in Applied Energy from Cranfield University in 1994 and joined the University of Hertford- shire in 1995. Current research interests are energy conservation, Alternative Energy sources, Fuel Cells and hy- drogen technologies. Dr Calay has been lead investigator of several EPSRC, EU and industrially funded research projects. She has participated as a work package leader in FLIE FP5 and SHIPMATES FP6 project. She was the section leader of Cost action on Industrial ventilation. She has been co-supervisor on other two projects develop- ing wind wave energy systems in collaboration with Thames Water and the EPSRC.

Related publications (others related publications in attachment): Bhinder, F. , Calay, R, Mustafa M, and Al-Zubaidy, S.N.(2009) , Feasibility Study of a fuel Cell& Turbo Power Plant for Aircraft Propulsion, European Air and Space Conference,. 26-29 October, 2009, Manchester, UK. F.Bhinder, M.Yajid Mustafa, M S Y Ebaid, R.K. Calay: Parametric study of the fuel cell-gas turbine combined cycle power plant Proceedings of TURBO EXPO 2006: ASME TURBO EXPO 2006 Power for Land, Sea & Air May 14-17, 2006 – Barcelona, Spain

Dr Yong Chen. Dr Chen is the subject group leader in Smart Technology and Condition Monitoring. He gained a BEng and an MSc from Taiyuan University of Technology followed by a PhD from the University of Birming- ham. Having been a post doctor research fellow in airplane structure at the Queen Mary and Westfield College he was appointed as a lecturer in materials and structures at the University of Hertfordshire. One of main areas of his expertise lies in his inter-disciplinary ability to combine linear and nonlinear Finite Element Analysis with Materials and structural integrity. Other research areas include smart materials, polymer nano-composites, sur- face engineering, renewable energy and storage systems, and manufacturing modelling and integrity of self- pierce riveting structures.

Related publications (others related publications in attachment): R. Vishwakarma, D. Turner, Dr. A. Lewis, Dr. Y. Chen, Dr. P. Houghton and Dr. Y. Xu, Load Reconstruction on a Missile Structure Using the Pseudo-Inverse Methods, International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control, accepted in April 2010. Lei Wang, Yong Kang Chen, William Tiu and Eigen Xu, Simulation of near-tip crack behaviour and its correla- tion to fatigue crack growth with a modified strip-yield model, International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control, 5, 77 (2008).

MAAT EU FP7 Advanced Airship who’s who? – Logistic Network Consultants GmbH

Paul Stewart

We’re kicking off the EU FP7 project – MAAT Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport kicks on 1st September 2011. Here are some of the participants in the project, from Logistic Network Consultants GmbH Germany

Organization: Logistic Network Consultants GmbH Germany Short name: LNC

General Description

Logistic Network Consultants GmbH (LNC) was established in 1998 and is an independently, internationally operating consulting company addressing the logistics and mobility sector. The company stands for logistic net- works as well as for consulting projects. Logistics connects by nature and requires strong and efficient nodes for the realization of innovative logistics solutions. Therefore, LNC‘s network philosophy is the basis for its activi- ties. These networks allow a transfer of know-how and offer a maximum of competence and market knowledge. This knowledge provides the basis for the realization of joint projects. LNC offers advisory services in order to develop and promote logistic locations. LNC also works on the optimization of logistic systems and transport chains. The company‘s portfolio includes marketing and sales measures by means of fairs and events.

Main related expertise

Stefan Schröder, Role in organization: CEO of LNC and responsible project manager of the Niedersachsen Lo- gistics and the Niedersachsen Aviation initiative on behalf of the Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport of Niedersachsen. This way, he is closely linked with the logistics service providers and carriers. He carried out several R&D projects and consultancy projects at various levels, e.g. the Freight Transport and Logistics Master- plan on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.

Michael Kuchenbecker, Role in organization: Senior consultant and authorized representative. In LNC he is responsible for R&D in logistics and the Logistic Network (of LNC). He participated in EU project such as MOSES as sub project leader. Michael Kuchenbecker studied from October 1991 to November 1996 spatial planning at the University of Dortmund, Faculty of Spatial Planning. The qualification awarded was the Diploma Ingenieur (Equivalent to Master of Sciences). From 1997-2007 Michael Kuchenbecker worked as a scientific employee in the department of transportation logistics of the Fraunhofer Institute of Material flow and Logistics. Since 2003 he was also branch manager of the Fraunhofer Transport Alliance which comprises 20 Fraunhofer Institutes performing transport related research.

Lars Günsel, Role in organization: Consultant; Lars Günsel is staff member of LNC since 2007. Having finished his studies in English and German Linguistics (M.A.), Lars Günsel worked as press officer for Hannover Airport from 1998 to 2004. He then worked for the Airports Real Estate Department (with experience in International Affairs). At the same time he qualified as a Real Estate Manager. At LNC, he is in charge of a nation-wide active network called „Logistics Network‟. He is also committed to marketing as well as to Public Relations, Customer Relations and New Media.

Marie-Louise Seifert, Role in organization: Consultant; Marie-Louise Seifert is staff member of LNC since 2009 and works within different logistical consultancy projects. She studied economic-geography with the main focus on regional economic development at the University of Aachen. The qualification awarded was the Magis- ter Artium. After her studies she spent over half a year at the Hamburg Airport.

MAAT EU FP7 Advanced Airship who’s who? – Universidade da Beira Interior

Paul Stewart

We’re kicking off the EU FP7 project – MAAT Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport kicks on 1st September 2011. Here are some of the participants in the project, from Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal

Organization: Universidade da Beira Interior, CAST – Centre for Aerospace Sciences and Technology Short name: UBI

General Description

UBI is a collective person of public law endowed with statutory, pedagogical, scientific, cultural, administrative, financial, assets, and disciplinary autonomy. UBI is structured in faculties, departments, research units, centres, and services which endeavour to meet its goals in teaching, research, and service provision to the community. The present faculties include Sciences, Engineering, Social and Human Sciences, Arts and Letters, and Health Sciences. Innovative research, knowledge transfer, and entrepreneurship activities are also central to the univer- sity‘s mission and objectives as shown by the outcomes of its R&D units and groups, supported mainly by re- search contracts. The Centre spans a wide range of research themes around the issues related to the aeronautics and aerospace. The UBI-CAST research and development activities can be grouped within five main multidiscipli- nary thematic areas: Dynamics and Control of Space Systems; Aeronautical Materials and Structures; Energetic systems; Technological Forecasting and Industrial Management.

Main related expertise

Prof. José Páscoa is an active researcher in turbomachinery aerodynamics and holds a record of several dozen publications on the field. Currently he is a researcher at CAST-Centre for Aerospace Sciences and Technology of UBI. Formerly he was a visiting researcher at the Rolls-Royce UTC of Loughborough University (U.K.). He has worked on diverse research projects concerning turbomachinery design, namely.

Mr. Carlos Xisto is a researcher at CAST; he holds a master degree in turbomachinery aerodynamics and is pur- suing a Ph.D. on Propulsion at CAST. Related publications (others related publications in attachment): Páscoa J. C., Xisto C. M., Göttlich E., (2010), “Performance assessment limits in transonic 3D turbine stage blade rows using a mixing-plane approach”, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, Vol. 24(10), pp. 2035-2042, ISSN: 1738-494X.

Xisto C.M., Páscoa J.C., Oliveira P.J., Nicolini D.A. (2010), “Implementation of a 3D compressible MHD Solver Able to Model Transonic Flows”, in Proc. V European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics ECCO- MAS CFD 2010, 14 pp..

Prof. Miguel Silvestre is an Assistant Professor at UBI. Currently he is a collaborator researcher at Centre for Aerospace Sciences and Technology of UBI. Presently he is a consultant by UBI for Lockheed Martin Corpora- tion (LMCO) designing a propeller for a UAV and heads a UBI team for a project on the development of an un- manned underwater gliding vehicle in collaboration with the University of Saint Thomas, St Paul, MN, USA. He has been the scientific adviser for UBI participation in Air Cargo Challenge design-build-fly international com- petition, winning the contest twice.

Related publications (others related publications in attachment): Jorge Barata, Miguel Silvestre, ―Visualization of a Ground Vortex Flow‖, AIAA-2010-562, 48th AIAA Aero- space Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, Florida, Jan. 4- 7, 2010. Jorge Barata, Universidade, Samuel Ribeiro, Pedro Santos, André Silva, Miguel Silvestre, ”Experimental Study of Instabilities and Secondary Effects of a Ground Vortex Flow”, AIAA-2008-343, 46th AIAA Aerospace Sci- ences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, Jan. 7-10, 2008

MAAT EU FP7 Advanced Airship who’s who? – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Paul Stewart

The EU FP7 project – MAAT Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport kicks off on 1st September 2011. Here are some of the participants in the project, starting with the Project Leaders and Grant Co-Ordinators at the University of Modena in Italy:

Organization: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Department of Sciences and Methods of Engineering (Di.S.M.I.) Short name: UNIMORE

General Description

The university of Modena and Reggio Emilia is separate among two academic poles. From 1998, the universities in Modena and Reggio Emilia are united in an only Athenaeum that has Faculties in Modena (Bioscience and Biotechnology, Economy, Pharmacy, Jurisprudence, Engineering…) and in Reggio Emilia (Agriculture, Engi- neering, Sciences of the Communication and the economy…). In Reggio Emilia there is the Department of Sci- ence and Engineering Methods (DISMI). The DISMI conducts research, training and technology transfer in en- gineering and basic disciplines that support them. In particular, the researchers of the DISMI are specialized in Engineering Management, Mechatronic Engineering and Energy, in an integrated and interdisciplinary approach that includes all subjects of basic sciences.

Main related expertises:

Antonio Dumas, full professor of Technical Physics of the course of Degree of Managerial Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering to the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His studies are directed in the field of thermal exchange and thermo-fluid dynamic. He researches on problems related to solar energy, energetic econ- omy, devices of measure and analysis of data, fundamental phenomena of thermo-fluid dynamic, Solar energy. Related publications):

A. Dumas, S. Anzillotti, M. Trancossi, Zumbo F.: photovoltaic stratospheric isle for conversion in hydrogen as energy vector: energetic and economic feasibility analysis – Proceedings of Second Energy Management Confer- ence (AIGE), 2008; Pages: 4 – 10; ISBN: 978-88-6261-088-9 A. Dumas, s. Anzillotti – PSICHE: A Stratospheric Platform Producing Hydrogen and Oxygen – Proceedings of 5th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, Vicenza 2006; Pages: 471 – 476; ISBN: 88- 89884-05-3

Bianca Rimini, full professor in Mechanical Industrial Plants at the Faculty of Engineering of Reggio Emilia. She has a large experience in the field of industrial plants, logistics and production systems. The results of her researches are published in many scientific and technical journals and in many papers presented at National and International Conferences. Related publications:

Gamberini R., Gebennini E., B. Rimini (2009). An innovative container for WEEE collection and transport: de- tails and effect following the adoption. waste management, vol. 29; p. 2846-2858, ISSN: 0956-053X Gebennini E, Dallari S, Perrica G, A. Grassy, Rimini B., Fantuzzi C. (2009). Adoption of control policies in a simulative model for the design of AGV systems. In: Proceedings of the Spring Simulation Multiconference 2009. San Diego, CA, USA, March 22-27, 2009, SAN DIEGO, CA: The Society for Modelling and Simulation International, p. 124-129, ISBN/ISSN: 1-56555-327-6

Eugenio Dragoni, full Professor of Mechanical Engineering Design to the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and was appointed head of the Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 papers on a variety of subjects including computational mechanics, mechanical be- haviour of adhesives and non-metals, engineering applications of smart materials, product design and develop-ment.

Related publications:

M. Benetti, E. Dragoni, D. Castagnetti, E.J. v.d. Heide (2003) “Development and testing of an inflatable capsule for the YES2 project”, 55th International Astronautical Congress, Vancouver, Canada.

Advanced Airship Research Project at the University of Lincoln

Paul Stewart
MAAT Multi-body Advanced Airship for Transportation project logo

Lincoln School of Engineering is part of a global consortium which will be kicking off an EU Framework 7 Programme Collaborative Project in September 2011.

The project is MAAT Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport, and is led by Professor Antonio Dumas at the University of Modena, Italy.

Principal Investigator at the University of Lincoln is Prof. Paul Stewart, and Co-Investigator is Prof. Chris Bingham, both of the School of Engineering.

Project Members

  • Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • Universidade da Beria Interior, Portugal
  • Logistics Network Consultants GmbH, Germany
  • University of Hertfordshire, UK
  • Southern Federal University, Russian Federation
  • ENGSYS Ltd., UK
  • University of Lincoln, UK
  • Universita di Bologna, Italy
  • Universite di Torino, Italy
  • Esponential Design Lab, Uruguay
Proton Energy and Sanswire High Altitude Commercial Rigid Airships

The MAAT project overcomes structural and physical limits of airplanes in cruiser/feeder operation. It aims to investigate an airship cruiser-feeder global transport system for medium and long range transports.

The MAAT system is composed by three modules.

  1. PTAH (Photovoltaic Transport Airship for High-altitudes) is a heavy payload cruiser which remains airborne on stable routes;
  2. ATEN (Air Transport Efficient Network feeder) is aVTOL feeder airship by gas buoyancy linking the cruiser to the ground;
  3. AHA (Airship Hub Airport) is a new concept of low cost vertical airport hub joinable by ATEN, easy to build both in towns and in logistic centres.

The strengths of the MAAT concept are:

  • standardized and modular global air transport system;
  • operative altitudes higher than traditional civil routes;
  • heavy payload, low cost of transportation and non-stop flight;
  • possibility to act as a flying integrated logistics centre;
  • self sufficient by photovoltaic propelling system;
  • increased safety to prevent crashes and long evacuation times;
  • hovering ability to simplify cruiser/feeder engagement;
  • cruiser/feeder transfers in motion;
  • VTOL ground operations;
  • silent landing and take-off operations;
  • cost effective, light and easy to deploy structures on the ground;
  • reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions

The MAAT Project aims to study the system and its components in a full structured systemic approach and to define:

  1. the general design of cruiser and feeder, to optimize aerodynamics and photovoltaic energy;
  2. the preliminary structural draft of cruiser, feeder and hub;
  3. control systems, procedures and codes for stability and flying attitude control;
  4. electrical propulsion systems able to overcome the problems related to the low air density;
  5. operative procedures for rendezvous and joining operations;
  6. internal design of cabins and cargo;
  7. study and design of cruiser/feeder connections;
  8. passive and active safety systems.