Solar Energy News
AEROSPACE
NASA to design sustainable jet engine core
illustration only
NASA to design sustainable jet engine core
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 21, 2024

NASA, in collaboration with industry partners, is set to design a new jet engine core for ultra-efficient airliners, moving into the project's next phase.

In its pursuit of sustainable aviation, NASA is developing a small core for a hybrid-electric turbofan jet engine aimed at reducing fuel burn by 10% compared to current engines.

A jet engine's core mixes compressed air with fuel to generate power. By reducing the core's size, fuel efficiency can improve, and carbon emissions can decrease.

The Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project aims to demonstrate this compact core and prepare the technology for next-generation aircraft in the 2030s. HyTEC is a significant part of NASA's Sustainable Flight National Partnership.

HyTEC's structure includes two phases:

Phase 1, concluding now, focused on selecting technologies for the core demonstrator.

Phase 2, starting now, will involve designing, building, and testing a compact core with GE Aerospace.

"Phase 1 of HyTEC is winding down and we are ramping up Phase 2," said Anthony Nerone, who leads HyTEC at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. "This phase will culminate in a core demonstration test that proves the technology so it can transition to industry."

Before starting the design and build process, researchers explored innovative materials for the engine. After three years of rapid progress, HyTEC researchers found solutions.

"We've been laser-focused since day one. We began the project with certain technical goals and metrics for success and, so far, we haven't had to change course from any of them," Nerone said.

To reduce core size while maintaining thrust, the core must endure higher temperatures and pressures. Thus, more durable materials are essential.

In addition to materials research, the project explored advanced aerodynamics and other technical elements.

What Comes Next
Phase 2 will create a compact core for ground testing to prove HyTEC's capabilities.

"Phase 2 is very complex. It's not just a core demonstration," Nerone said. "What we're creating has never been done before, and it involves many different technologies coming together to form a new type of engine."

Technologies tested in HyTEC will support a higher bypass ratio, hybridization, and sustainable aviation fuels compatibility.

The bypass ratio compares the air flowing through the engine core to the air bypassing the core. Reducing the core size while increasing the turbofan size can maintain thrust while using less fuel and reducing emissions.

"HyTEC is an integral part of our RISE program," said Kathleen Mondino, who co-leads RISE program technologies at GE Aerospace. "GE Aerospace and NASA have a long history of collaboration to advance the latest aviation technologies. The HyTEC program builds on this relationship to help chart the future of more sustainable flight."

HyTEC's hybrid-electric capability means the core will also be supported by electrical power to further cut fuel use and emissions.

"This engine will be the first mild hybrid-electric engine, and hopefully, the first production engine for airliners that is hybrid-electric," Nerone said.

Related Links
NASA Aeronautics
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AEROSPACE
Climate activists cause disruption at German airport
Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) May 18, 2024
German activists glued themselves to a runway at Munich airport Saturday and caused dozens of flights to be cancelled, in their latest action aimed at pushing authorities to tackle climate change. The activists from the Last Generation environmental protest group forced their way into Germany's second-busiest airport by cutting through a fence in the early hours, an airport spokesman said. Flights were suspended, leading to the cancellation of 61 take-offs and landings, he said. The actio ... read more

AEROSPACE
Studying bubbles can lead to more efficient biofuel motors

Chicken fat transformed into supercapacitor components

Kimchi Institute process upcycles cabbage byproducts into bioplastics

New Insights into the Slow Process of Breaking Down Plant Material for Biofuels

AEROSPACE
OpenAI says AI is 'safe enough' as scandals raise concerns

Sanofi allies with OpenAI, Formation Bio for AI use in drug development

Govts, tech firms vow to cooperate against AI risks at Seoul summit

16 top AI firms make new safety commitments at Seoul summit

AEROSPACE
Why US offshore wind power is struggling - the good, the bad and the opportunity

Robots enhance wind turbine blade production at NREL

Offshore wind turbines may reduce nearby power output

Wind Energy Expansion Planned for China's Rural Areas

AEROSPACE
China's Xiaomi reports sales spike in first quarter

Evergrande NEV shares more than double on potential sale

US Senate probe finds forced labor ties in automakers' imports

US tariffs on Chinese EVs hurt green transition XPeng boss

AEROSPACE
Tesla breaks ground on huge Shanghai battery plant

Flower or power? Campaigners fear lithium mine could kill rare plant

New discoveries about the nature of light could improve methods for heating fusion plasma

Using AI to improve, speed up plasma physics in fusion

AEROSPACE
Framatome receives top marks in NRC safety review

Framatome secures contract for critical underground piping rehab at US nuclear plant

US, Philippines to train Filipinos in nuclear power

US cites security, climate goals in Russian uranium ban

AEROSPACE
French greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.8% in 2023: PM

Green policies can be vote winners, London mayor says

Activists warn against EU 'tearing up' green policies

Australia unveils budget aimed at becoming 'renewable superpower'

AEROSPACE
Deforestation exacerbated deadly Brazil floods: experts

Flour and Oats Power Biohybrid Robot for Reforestation

Envious shamans and pollution: Diverse threats to Ecuadoran Amazon

Market-based schemes not reducing deforestation, poverty: report

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.