Structural and Aerodynamics Analysis on Different Architectures for the Elettra Twin Flyer Prototype

In this paper, the authors analyze and compare two airship configurations for the Elettra Twin Flyer prototype, an innovative airship concept which is remotely-controlled and intended for monitoring, surveillance, exploration and reconnaissance missions. The aim of the comparison is to determine the most appropriate solution in terms of performance, cost and maneuvering capabilities. In particular two potential solutions are analyzed: the first consists of a double-hull configuration, characterized by the presence of a primary support structure connected to a couple of twin inflatable hulls. The second architecture is a soap-shaped exoskeleton configuration which features a single inflated section, incorporating two separate elements, which are held internally by a system of ribs

Innovative airplane ground handling system for green operations

The aim of this work is to develop a new concept of taxiing, in order to reduce the pollution in terms of noise and gas emission and to introduce a higher level of safety during ground operations. In the area close to the airport gates, the airplane ground handlings are currently performed through the airplane engines, which have the task of providing the trust necessary to move the airplane to the runway. Pollutant emissions and the noise level near the gates, however, could be drastically reduced by introducing an innovative autonomous tractor called CHAT (Clean Hydrogen Autonomous Tractor), developed from the standard pushback tractor. The ground operations could be basically modified by extending the time in which the airplane engines are idle and the airplane is towed by the tractors powered by renewable energy

The rice mitochondrial iron transporter is essential for plant growth

In plants, iron (Fe) is essential for mitochondrial electron transport, heme, and Fe-Sulphur (Fe-S) cluster synthesis; however, plant mitochondrial Fe transporters have not been identified. Here we show, identify and characterize the rice mitochondrial Fe transporter (MIT). Based on a transfer DNA library screen, we identified a rice line showing symptoms of Fe deficiency while accumulating high shoot levels of Fe. Homozygous knockout of MIT in this line resulted in a lethal phenotype. MIT localized to the mitochondria and complemented the growth of Δmrs3Δmrs4 yeast defective in mitochondrial Fe transport. The growth of MIT-knockdown (mit-2) plants was also significantly impaired despite abundant Fe accumulation. Further, the decrease in the activity of the mitochondrial and cytosolic Fe-S enzyme, aconitase, indicated that Fe-S cluster synthesis is affected in mit-2 plants. These results indicate that MIT is a mitochondrial Fe transporter essential for rice growth and development

Innovative Hydrogen Storage Tank for Flying Fuel Cell Power System

More and more often aerospace designers are considering hydrogen PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells for the on-board power system. Nowadays, the use of these systems is limited to aircraft that require low power demand such as small UAVs and ultra-light airplanes. This solution has always been considered appealing, but just recently has started to become also practical because of the dramatic decreasing of the specific weight of the fuel cell stacks

Structural and Aerodynamics Analysis on Different Architectures for the Elettra Twin Flyer Prototype

This paper deals with the design and development of an innovative airship concept which is remotely-controlled and intended to be used for monitoring, surveillance, exploration and reconnaissance missions. Two potential solutions have been analyzed: the first consists of a double-hull configuration, characterized by the presence of a primary support structure connected by appropriated bindings to a couple of twin inflatable hulls. The second architecture is a soap-shaped exoskeleton configuration which features a single inflated section, incorporating two separate elements held internally by a system of ribs. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the two configurations, to determine the most appropriate solution in terms of performance, cost and maneuvering capabilitie

ORTHOIMAGES AS A TOOL FOR LAND PLANNING: ΑΝ ΑΡΡLΙCΑΤΙΟΝ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ RΕGΙΟΝΕ ΡΙΕΜΟΝΤΕ’S «WATER CONSERVATION PLAN»

Nell'ambito delle indagini del Piano di Tutela delle Acque è stato elaborato e verificato tramite rilevamenti GPS, un ortomosaico a supporto delle analisi ecosistemiche. Tramite fotointerpretazione di una fascia prospiciente l'alveo sono stati estratti degli indici di naturalità e qualità ambientale. L'aggregazione di tali indici ha quindi permesso di rappresentare lo stato della risorsa acqua secondo una classificazione basata sul degrado a supporto delle future operazioni di pianificazione territoriale.During the studies of the Water Conservation Plan we have rectified and verified with a GPS Surveya mosaic of aerial photogramsas a tool for environmental analisyS. Using photointepretation on a buffer of the riverbed we extracted naturality and environmental quality indexes. The aggregation of these indexes represents the actual health level of the water body with a decay based classification, this will be a useful tool for land planning

[Surgical anatomy of the pancreas with special reference to arterial and venous vascularization of the corporeo-caudal segment]

Thrombosis accounts for 10-20% of the complications that follow human pancreas transplants. The extent to which this is determined by the vascularisation of the transplanted caudocorporeal segment is uncertain. An account is given of the literature data on the surgical anatomy of the pancreas as a whole and a detailed examination is made of the vascularisation of its left segment. Most workers feel that the arterial axis is sufficient to ensure an optimum vascular support. It has been shown, however, that in 25% of cases that branches issuing from the right-hand system (hepatic, superior mesenteric and colic arteries) and insufficiently anastomosed with the splenic artery are also of importance. This suggests that: a preoperative study should be made of the vascular system of the transplant; a double anastomosis should be created between the donor splenic and pancreatic arteries and the host vessels; particular care should be taken to prevent damage to vessels of fundamental importance to the nutrition of the pancreas when the transplant is removed