Jaylon Uzodinma
(Advisor: Prof. Dimitri Mavris]
will propose a doctoral thesis entitled,
A Methodology for Probabilistic Life Cycle Assessment-Based Design of Alternative Energy Carrier Aircraft Concepts
On
Thursday, December 5th at 1:00 p.m.
Collaborative Visualization Environment (CoVE)
Weber Space Science and Technology Building (SST II)
and
Abstract
The aviation industry is at a pivotal juncture, facing the dual challenges of meeting rising global travel demand while significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Narrowbody aircraft currently account for more than half of annual climate-impacting aviation emissions and are projected to comprise over 75% of all aircraft deliveries between 2024 and 2042. In response, the industry is exploring future aircraft concepts for the next generation of narrowbody aircraft, categorized into three types: advanced tube-and-wing designs, energy-efficient configurations, and alternative energy carrier aircraft. Among these, alternative energy carrier aircraft concepts show significant potential to drastically reduce aviation’s harmful emissions. Accordingly, this thesis aims to advance the design and development of next-generation narrowbody aircraft, specifically those utilizing alternative energy carriers, to mitigate aviation’s environmental impact.
Two key challenges that could hinder the successful development and deployment of alternative energy carrier aircraft are the uncertainty surrounding emerging technologies and the potential environmental impacts beyond in-flight emissions, referred to as life cycle effects. Current design approaches for these aircraft concepts do not adequately address the combined influence of technological uncertainty and life cycle effects, which can affect vehicle design and the accuracy of quantified potential benefits. This thesis proposes an improved design methodology for alternative energy carrier aircraft by integrating uncertainty quantification and life cycle assessment into the conceptual design process. The methodology will be demonstrated through the design and analysis of a future narrowbody aircraft powered by a hybrid-electric turbofan propulsion system. Furthermore, an analysis framework will be developed to support the execution of the methodology and to facilitate comparisons of the life cycle environmental impacts of both current and future aircraft concepts.
Committee
- Prof. Dimitri Mavris – School of Aerospace Engineering (advisor)
- Prof. Graeme Kennedy – School of Aerospace Engineering
- Prof. Daniel Schrage – School of Aerospace Engineering
- Dr. Raphael Gautier – School of Aerospace Engineering
- Dr. Dominic Barone – The Boeing Company