Modeling and Optimization for Morphing Wing Concept Generation II

This report documents a series of investigations to develop an approach for structural sizing of various morphing wing concepts. For the purposes of this report, a morphing wing is one whose planform can make significant shape changes in flight - increasing wing area by 50% or more from the lowest possible area, changing sweep 30 or more, and / or increasing aspect ratio by as much as 200% from the lowest possible value. These significant changes in geometry mean that the underlying load-bearing structure changes geometry. While most finite element analysis packages provide some sort of structural optimization capability, these codes are not amenable to making significant changes in the stiffness matrix to reflect the large morphing wing planform changes. The investigations presented here use a finite element code capable of aeroelastic analysis in three different optimization approaches -a "simultaneous analysis" approach, a "sequential" approach, and an "aggregate" approach

Nested Dissection Method on Transputer

Nested dissection method is an elimination method for a set of linear algebraic equations with minimum fillins. Physically it divides a domain into four subdomains, and each subdomain is again divided into four. This procedure is repeated till all nodes are included in some subdomains. Using this characteristic, the authors examine the efficiency of the method on the transputer

Modeling and Optimization for Morphing Wing Concept Generation

This report consists of two major parts: 1) the approach to develop morphing wing weight equations, and 2) the approach to size morphing aircraft. Combined, these techniques allow the morphing aircraft to be sized with estimates of the morphing wing weight that are more credible than estimates currently available; aircraft sizing results prior to this study incorporated morphing wing weight estimates based on general heuristics for fixed-wing flaps (a comparable "morphing" component) but, in general, these results were unsubstantiated. This report will show that the method of morphing wing weight prediction does, in fact, drive the aircraft sizing code to different results and that accurate morphing wing weight estimates are essential to credible aircraft sizing results

Morphing Wing Weight Predictors and Their Application in a Template-Based Morphing Aircraft Sizing Environment II

This report presents an approach for sizing of a morphing aircraft based upon a multi-level design optimization approach. For this effort, a morphing wing is one whose planform can make significant shape changes in flight - increasing wing area by 50% or more from the lowest possible area, changing sweep 30 or more, and/or increasing aspect ratio by as much as 200% from the lowest possible value. The top-level optimization problem seeks to minimize the gross weight of the aircraft by determining a set of "baseline" variables - these are common aircraft sizing variables, along with a set of "morphing limit" variables - these describe the maximum shape change for a particular morphing strategy. The sub-level optimization problems represent each segment in the morphing aircraft's design mission; here, each sub-level optimizer minimizes fuel consumed during each mission segment by changing the wing planform within the bounds set by the baseline and morphing limit variables from the top-level problem

Promoting thinking skills within the secondary classroom using digital media

Abstract. One of the recurring themes concerning the integration of ICT into secondary education relates to opportunities for moving classroom-based activities for learners towards higher levels of thinking and learning. The research described in this paper involved an investigation of the implementation of digital media into a New South Wales Year 9/10 IST (Information and Software Technology) elective course. It concentrated on the subsequent assessment and impact that the software has had on creating an inquiry-based situation to promote higher-order thinking skills of students within a secondary classroom completing digital media projects for the web. The case study of a composite class of fifteen Year 9 and 10 students utilised a mixed methodology involving both qualitative and quantitative procedures. Results from the study suggested that technology allowed learning and motivation of students to be enhanced and that there was a willingness exhibited by individuals to engage in tasks and discussions. It is argued that teaching and learning can be enriched as the technological tools and pedagogical processes are brought together in appropriate ways. By referring to the integration of technology as being a meaningful tool that will transform the culture of schools but requires attention to the habits of mind; newly defined thinking tasks such as problem solving, and the necessary cognitive operations such as analysing, inferring and evaluating are possible

Rayleigh scattering in the transmission spectrum of HAT-P-18b

We have performed ground-based transmission spectroscopy of the hot Jupiter HAT-P-18b using the ACAM instrument on the William Herschel Telescope (WHT). Differential spectroscopy over an entire night was carried out at a resolution of $R \approx 400$ using a nearby comparison star. We detect a bluewards slope extending across our optical transmission spectrum which runs from 4750 to 9250\AA. The slope is consistent with Rayleigh scattering at the equilibrium temperature of the planet (852K). We do not detect enhanced sodium absorption, which indicates that a high-altitude haze is masking the feature and giving rise to the Rayleigh slope. This is only the second discovery of a Rayleigh scattering slope in a hot Jupiter atmosphere from the ground, and our study illustrates how ground-based observations can provide transmission spectra with precision comparable to the Hubble Space Telescope.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Fintech and Young Adult Consumers

Given the importance of fintech and it’s relevance to young adults, this study aimed to investigate young adults’ FL and to identify the level and influence of fintech on the behaviour of young consumers aged 17 to 24 years old. To achieve this aim, the project had the following objectives: to determine the association between FL and fintech adoption among young people and to understand variables that could play a role in young people’s fintech adoption. Through an inductive review approach, we conducted a content analysis to uncover findings regarding the influence of fintech on young individuals. This summary report has identified several themes such the association between financial literacy and the adoption of fintech, young people’s inclination to use fintech and parents’ role in financial literacy