Multidisciplinary Design Research Articles

Aerodynamic Analysis of a Supersonic Transport Aircraft at Low and High Speed Flow Conditions

The recent improvement of technology readiness level in aeronautics and the renewed demand for faster transportation are driving the rebirth of supersonic flight for commercial aviation. However, the design of a future supersonic aircraft is still very challenging due to the complexity of several problems, such as static stability performance during the acceleration phase from subsonic speeds to supersonic speeds. Additionally, the interest of scientific community in open source numerical platform as a valid tool for a reliable and affordable aerodynamic design is considerably growing. In this framework, the present work addresses the aerodynamic performance of a Concorde-like aeroshape developed within the preliminary design of a high-speed civil transportation aircraft. Several flight conditions, ranging from subsonic to supersonic speeds, were investigated in detail by using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The aerodynamic force and moment coefficients are computed with fully three-dimensional and steady state Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes simulations, carried out in turbulent flow conditions. The effect of the Mach number variation on the shift of the aircraft aerodynamic center is detailed, by focusing on the aircraft pitching static stability. Flowfield numerical simulations are performed with both commercial (Ansys-Fluent) tool and open-source (SU2) code, which is also used extensively in multidisciplinary design procedures, for further comparisons. Particular attention is focused on the shift of the aeroshape aerodynamic center to verify that the provided wing design allows the aircraft static margin to be within 5% of the reference length, both at low-speed and high-speed flight conditions. The computed positions of the aerodynamic center are in agreement with the aeroshape surface pressure distributions and confirmed the literature results available for the Concorde aircraft. Therefore, in the view of future simulation campaigns for supersonic transportation aircraft, the present work aims to bridge the gap between previous aerodynamic design experiences, for instance matured on Concorde, and those carried out with modern CFD tools on full-scale aircraft, and on time-scales compatible with conceptual design practice. Finally, as the difference between the computed aerodynamic coefficients reflected mainly on drag computation performed with SU2, a special focus on numerical diffusion effect of the solver is also given and compared with a commercial certified CFD tool. This adds a unique further contribution to the SU2 community for aeronautics application.

Development and Initial Testing of a Personalized, Adaptive, and Socially Focused Web Tool to Support Physical Activity Among Women in Midlife: Multidisciplinary and User-Centered Design Approach.

BackgroundWomen in midlife are vulnerable to developing cardiovascular disease, particularly those who have conditions such as hypertension. Physical activity (PA) can reduce risk, but efforts to promote PA in this population have been only modestly effective. More attention to social influences on PA behavior may be useful, particularly social support and social comparison processes. Activating these processes with digital tools can provide easy access that is flexible to the needs of women in midlife.ObjectiveThis paper describes the user-centered design processes of developing and conducting initial evaluation of a personalized and adaptive web application, tailored to the social needs of women in midlife. The goal was to gather feedback from the population of interest, before and during the design process.MethodsThis study was conducted in 4 stages. The first and second authors (DA and AFL) developed technical specifications, informed by their experience with the population of interest. We collected feedback on potential content for the web application with women in midlife using both interviews (5/10, 50%; mean age 47.4, SD 6.66 years; mean BMI 35.3, SD 9.55 kg/m2) and surveys (5/10, 50%; mean age 51, SD 6.60 years; mean BMI 32.7, SD 8.39 kg/m2). We used their feedback to inform support messages and peer profiles (ie, sources of social comparison information). Nine members of the behavioral science team and 3 testers unfamiliar with the web application completed internal testing. We conducted naturalistic functionality testing with a different group of women in midlife (n=5; mean age 50, SD 6.26 years; mean BMI 30.1, SD 5.83 kg/m2), who used the web application as intended for 4 days and provided feedback at the end of this period.ResultsIterative storyboard development resulted in programming specifications for a prototype of the web application. We used content feedback to select and refine the support messages and peer profiles to be added. The following 2 rounds of internal testing identified bugs and other problems regarding the web application’s functioning and full data collection procedure. Problems were addressed or logged for future consideration. Naturalistic functionality testing revealed minimal further problems; findings showed preliminary acceptability of the web application and suggested that women may select different social content across days.ConclusionsA multidisciplinary and user-centered design approach led to a personalized and adaptive web application, tailored to the social needs of women in midlife. Findings from testing with this population demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the new application and supported further development toward its use in daily life. We describe several potential uses of the web application and next steps for its development. We also discuss the lessons learned and offer recommendations for future collaborations between behavioral and computer scientists to develop similar tools.

Arbitrary Hybrid Turbulence Modeling Approach for High-Fidelity NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine CFD Simulation

Today, growth in renewable energy is increasing, and wind energy is one of the key renewable energy sources which is helping to reduce carbon emissions and build a more sustainable world. Developed countries and worldwide organizations are investing in technology and industrial application development. However, extensive experiments using wind turbines are expensive, and numerical simulations are a cheaper alternative for advanced analysis of wind turbines. The aerodynamic properties of wind turbines can be analyzed and optimized using CFD tools. Currently, there is a general lack of available high-fidelity analysis for the wind turbine design community. This study aims to fill this urgent gap. In this paper, an arbitrary hybrid turbulence model (AHTM) was implemented in the open-source code OpenFOAM and compared with the traditional URANS model using the NREL Phase VI wind turbine as a benchmark case. It was found that the AHTM model gives more accurate results than the traditional URANS model. Furthermore, the results of the VLES and URANS models can be improved by improving the mesh quality for usage of higher-order schemes and taking into consideration aeroelastic properties of the wind turbine, which will pave the way for high-fidelity concurrent multidisciplinary design optimization of wind turbines.

Experimental and computational fluid-structure interaction analysis and optimization of deep-V planing-hull grillage panels subject to slamming loads – Part I: Regular waves

The paper presents the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) of a deep-V planing-hull grillage panel subject to slamming loads in regular waves. Namely, fluid structure interaction (FSI) experiments, computations, and MDO are presented and discussed for a bottom-panel grillage of a high-speed Generic Prismatic Planing Hull in regular waves. Computations are performed via one- and tightly coupled two-way computational fluid and structural dynamics (CFD/CSD) using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation solvers to compute the hydrodynamic loads. The structural assessment of the original/traditional grillage is performed using a fully parametric finite element (FE) model, showing the significant effects of the FE boundary conditions on the structural response. Firstly, an equivalent static and uniform load is identified via CFD and applied during optimization using two design spaces. The selected optimized design provides a grillage-weight reduction of 35% and an overall factor of safety equal to 1.72. The optimized design presents variations of stiffeners dimensions across the grillage with the largest stiffener at the middle, distributing the stress more uniformly among the stiffeners. The effects of one-versus two-way coupling are negligible for both the original/traditional and optimized grillages (as per the hydroelasticity factor R), whereas the effects of FE boundary conditions on the analysis and optimization outcomes are significant, confirming the need for proper calibration of the FE model in FSI and MDO studies. Secondly, MDO is performed with a dynamic load applied via one-way coupling FSI. An additional 5% weight reduction is identified, achieving a 40% weight reduction compared to the traditional grillage. The optimal design presents the largest stiffener close to the keel, which is significantly different than the design obtained for uniform/static load. Comparison of computational and experimental data is very good, indicating that the accuracy of CFD, rigid-body motions, CSD, and FSI is overall satisfactory. Overall, the development of the computational tools is successful, and the computational/optimization capabilities are demonstrated via comparison with experimental data for both the original/traditional and static-load optimized grillages.

CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIMODAL HEALING SPACE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR CHANGES

BackgroundIn the current era of changing crises, various catastrophic events pose a threat to world civilization and human health and survival. For human beings, in addition to dealing with external natural crises, there are also spiritual crises from the level of individual consciousness. More and more people fall into anxiety, fear, anxiety and depression. Aiming at the negative emotional state of ordinary people, this paper attempts to effectively construct the rehabilitation space of multimodal vision, hearing, touch and smell by studying individual psychology and personality. This paper aims to study individual psychology and personality, effectively build a multimodal rehabilitation space of vision, hearing, touch and smell, and conduct targeted research on individual psychological rehabilitation methods across disciplines.Subjects and MethodsBy observing the current development trend of design, we find that caring design has become an important trend. Design needs to be considered from the perspective of human needs to meet the original intention of people-oriented design. Using psychological research methods, this paper observes and analyzes the relationship between emotion and personality from the perspective of human sample subjects, and divides the population base through MBTI type indicators, so as to determine the multimodality of rehabilitation research and multi-directional construction, so as to form a more flexible and more matching customized rehabilitation space construction scheme. Multi-sensory experience integrates the characteristics of vision, hearing, touch and smell, so that participants can quickly enter the state of cardiac flow and achieve better and stronger rehabilitation functions. In order to test the effect of emotional behavior, this study adopts, we selected 120 students, including 48 males and 12 females. We used the anxiety scale designed by Kim as the measurement scale, and used Likert scoring method to evaluate the scale. Pearson correlation, standard deviation and statistical significance are combined to illustrate the correlation. T-test of independent samples was used to verify the difference between high anxiety group and low anxiety group. According to the statistical value of anxiety, participants were divided into three groups: low, medium and high anxiety groups. The questionnaire includes two kinds of anxiety, namely debilitating anxiety and promoting anxiety. Through t-test, univariate and multivariate analysis of variance and regression analysis, we investigated the relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy of students of different majors and genders.ResultsWith the changes of the times, the application of media has reached a new height. From the perspective of art, there are many forms of interactive media: immersive interactive technology, virtual reality technology, augmented reality technology and so on. The support of these existing technologies provides a new breakthrough for the proposal of psychotherapy. This technology enhancement process is accompanied by the continuous exploration of the correlation between graphics, space and human psychology and emotion. Starting from the psychological personality classification of the healing audience, analyze and determine the effective healing space corresponding to different psychological dimensions, and build a multi-sensory atmosphere space complex. Cure the public's psychology through the methods of visual design and spatial element adjustment, classify and analyze the possibility of the project in combination with the existing spatial design cases, and put forward the specific design improvement direction at the same time.ConclusionIndividual psychotherapy should be a multidisciplinary and all-round design. If we realize the integration of multi-mode innovation, we can obtain a more complete and comprehensive cognitive experience. The visual system constructed by the multimodal healing space is more significant than the simple visual language healing effect or the simple auditory healing effect, and has a better and more positive impact on the audience in terms of mitigation and adjustment.In short, medical workers should be fully aware of the important position of patients' emotional elements in rehabilitation, actively improve the surrounding environment and the respective roles of both sides, pay special attention to their own virtual technology language and behavior, and change from single display to multi-dimensional management, coordinator and collaborator. In the process of rehabilitation, actively present personalized psychology to patients, flexibly organize rehabilitation activities, strive to build a relaxed and harmonious rehabilitation atmosphere, create a friendly and mutual aid emotional treatment relationship, encourage and guide patients, and truly focus on patients, so as to reduce patients' rehabilitation anxiety and psychological adjustment to the best state.AcknowledgmentsResearch results of Zhejiang Federation of social sciences research project “Research on visual design strategy of immersion therapy in post epidemic period” (project number:2022N11).

Numerical Analysis of Conjugated Heat Transfer and Thermal Stress Distributions in a High-Temperature Ni-Based Superalloy Turbine Rotor Blade

This paper establishes a multidisciplinary method combining conjugate heat transfer (CHT) and thermal stress for a high-temperature Ni-based superalloy turbine rotor blade with integrated cooling structures. A conjugate calculation is performed to investigate the coolant flow characteristics, heat transfer, and thermal stress of the rotor blade under rotating and stationary conditions to understand the effects of rotation on the multidisciplinary design of the blade. Furthermore, the maximum resolved shear stress among the 30-slip systems and the corresponding dominant slip system are obtained to predict the deformation tendency of the blade by employing the crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) and considering the specified anisotropic blade material (GTD-111). The results show that the forces of rotation, including centrifugal and Coriolis forces, and their induced buoyancy force, alter the coolant flow field and thus affect the rotor blade’s heat transfer distribution compared with the stationary condition. The maximum temperature and thermal stress of the rotor blade under rotating conditions are reduced by 5% and 21% compared with that under the stationary condition, respectively. Compared with the stationary condition, the temperature and thermal stress distribution on the blade under the rotating condition are more uniform, especially on the suction side. In addition, the blade root connecting with the hub, the film holes near the leading-edge region at the blade root, the mid-chord of the suction surface, and the grooved blade tip are easily damaged by the enormous resolved shear stress and the interface effect of different types of dominant slip system under the two conditions. In this work, it was feasible to use the cascade cooling effect test to analyze the dynamic test results for the rotor blade. Furthermore, the thermal stress analysis based on the CPFEM can provide a superior level of blade cooling design than CHT by considering the anisotropic material characteristics of a turbine blade.

Multidisciplinary design optimization of engineering systems under uncertainty: a review

PurposeAs an advanced calculation methodology, reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization (RBMDO) has been widely acknowledged for the design problems of modern complex engineering systems, not only because of the accurate evaluation of the impact of uncertain factors but also the relatively good balance between economy and safety of performance. However, with the increasing complexity of engineering technology, the proposed RBMDO method gradually cannot effectively solve the higher nonlinear coupled multidisciplinary uncertainty design optimization problems, which limits the engineering application of RBMDO. Many valuable works have been done in the RBMDO field in recent decades to tackle the above challenges. This study is to review these studies systematically, highlight the research opportunities and challenges, and attempt to guide future research efforts.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents a comprehensive review of the RBMDO theory, mainly including the reliability analysis methods of different uncertainties and the decoupling strategies of RBMDO.FindingsFirst, the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) preliminaries are given. The basic MDO concepts and the corresponding mathematical formulas are illustrated. Then, the procedures of three RBMDO methods with different reliability analysis strategies are introduced in detail. These RBMDO methods were proposed for the design optimization problems under different uncertainty types. Furtherly, an optimization problem for a certain operating condition of a turbine runner blade is introduced to illustrate the engineering application of the above method. Finally, three aspects of future challenges for RBMDO, namely, time-varying uncertainty analysis; high-precision surrogate models, and verification, validation and accreditation (VVA) for the model, are discussed followed by the conclusion.Originality/valueThe scope of this study is to introduce the RBMDO theory systematically. Three commonly used RBMDO-SORA methods are reviewed comprehensively, including the methods' general procedures and mathematical models.

PSY5-1 The project of making research policy of supportive and palliative care In Japan

In Japan there are serious problems in the system of clinical research especially in supportive and palliative care. The main reason is that there is no stipulated guideline. The methodology of clinical research in supportive and palliative care is different from that in medical oncology field in terms of the style of multidisciplinary approaches, study design, and endpoints. To provide enough information for researchers, it is necessary to make rule guideline of both general remarks and detailed exposition.

Low-fidelity design optimization and development of a VTOL swarm UAV with an open-source framework

Hybrid configurations in aircraft design are highly favorable as they can achieve the appropriate trade-offs required to develop a generalized unmanned aerial system (UAS). Rapid prototyping of such systems at the student level is challenging because commercial software is expensive and difficult to interlink with other tools for creating a multi-disciplinary design. We address this challenge by conceptualizing an aircraft design framework made entirely of open-source software, libraries, and in-house code. We then use this framework to design an all-electric unmanned aerial system with transitioning Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) and Fixed-Wing (FW) modes. The UAV is capable of long-range surveillance up to 100 Kilometers and carrying a maximum relief payload of 1 kg while operating in an ad-hoc wi-fi network with a swarm of similar UAVs. A low fidelity particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and a comprehensive propulsion architecture is also incorporated and validated against commercial software. To validate the design, a prototype is fabricated from glass-fiber and XPS foam, integrated with appropriate sensors and tuned using ArduPilot software. The results show that low-fidelity design is a safe starting point for prototyping under constrained timelines. The study is concluded by discussing the technical challenges of using free software, and some practical considerations while flight testing a UAV with a hybrid configuration.

From System Architecting to System Design and Optimization: A Link Between MBSE and MDAO

AbstractOptimization of system architectures can help deal with finding better system architectures in a large design space plagued by combinatorial explosion of alternatives. To enable architecture optimization, the design space should therefore be formalized into a numerical optimization problem, and it should be possible to quantitatively evaluate architecture alternatives. This paper presents a methodology for generating and modeling architecture design spaces using the Architecture Design Space Graph (ADSG), and using collaborative Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) techniques to evaluate architectures. Collaborative MDAO leverages disciplinary expertise while ensuring that analysis tools exchange data consistently and correctly using a central data schema. The problem solved in this paper is the missing link between architecture optimization and collaborative MDAO: the reflection of generated architectures in the central data schema. It is solved by the authors by mapping architecture components and Quantities of Interest (QOIs) to the central data schema using Data Schema Operations (DSOs). Such a mapping also assists the user in identifying missing or unnecessary disciplinary analysis tools. Three web‐based software tools implementing the methodology are presented. Finally, the methodology and tools are demonstrated using the design of a supersonic business jet as an example.

Uncertainty-based Multidisciplinary Design Optimization using An Approximated Second-Order Reliability Analysis Strategy

In uncertainty-based multidisciplinary design optimization (UBMDO), all reliability limitation factors are maintained due to minimize the cost target function. There are many reliability evaluation methods for reliability limitation factors. The second-order reliability method (SORM) is a powerful most possible point (MPP)-based method. It can provide an accurate estimation of the failure probability of a highly nonlinear limit state function despite its large curvature. But the Hessian calculation is necessary in SORM, which results in a heavy computational cost. Recently, an efficient approximated second-order reliability method (ASORM) is proposed. The ASORM uses a quasi-Newton method to close to Hessian without the direct calculation of Hessian. To further improve the UBMDO efficiency, we also introduce the performance measure approach (PMA) and the sequential optimization and reliability assessment (SORA) strategy. To solve the optimization design problem of a turbine blade, the formula of MDO with ASORM under the SORA framework (MDO-ASORM-SORA) is proposed.

Istanbul as a "City of Design"

Istanbul as a "City of Design"

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Approach to Integrated Space Mission Planning and Spacecraft Design

Space mission planning and spacecraft design are tightly coupled and need to be considered together for optimal performance; however, this integrated optimization problem results in a large-scale mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, which is challenging to solve. In response to this challenge, this paper proposes a new solution approach to this problem based on decomposition-based optimization via augmented Lagrangian coordination. The proposed approach leverages the unique structure of the problem that enables its decomposition into a set of coupled subproblems of different types: a mixed-integer quadratic programming (MIQP) subproblem for mission planning, and one or more nonlinear programming (NLP) subproblem(s) for spacecraft design. Because specialized MIQP or NLP solvers can be applied to each subproblem, the proposed approach can efficiently solve the otherwise intractable integrated MINLP problem. An automatic and effective method to find an initial solution for this iterative approach is also proposed so that the optimization can be performed without a user-defined initial guess. The demonstration case study shows that, compared to the state-of-the-art method, the proposed formulation converges substantially faster and the converged solution is at least the same or better given the same computational time limit.

A team‐oriented course development experience in distance education for multidisciplinary engineering design

AbstractBased on the multidisciplinary needs of today's complex and innovative technology, accreditation bodies of engineering demand proof of multidisciplinary teamwork in undergraduate engineering curricula. This article reports the design and conduct of a Multidisciplinary Engineering Design (MED) course initiated as a result of accreditation process requirements. The course, which consists of multidisciplinary lectures, practice sessions, and various phases of a multidisciplinary team project, was conducted online because of the COVID‐19 pandemic by a multidisciplinary team of instructors using multiple software tools to enhance collaboration. In general, the course outcomes were satisfied under the current design, and several points for further improvement and elaboration were collected via quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Accordingly, the results show that the project‐based and team‐based MED course, in terms of multidisciplinary course management and its outcomes, can benefit from the use of software tools in creating a multidisciplinary team in distance education by means of enhanced cooperation and motivation among the participants.

A multidisciplinary design method and application for complex systems

A reasonable electrochemical mechanism model is the basis for accurately describing the actual operation of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC). In this paper, a multidisciplinary modeling and simulation method is proposed. Based on the internal electrochemical reaction kinetics and electrochemical thermodynamics mechanism of the HFC, a voltage output model and a back pressure regulation model are constructed. By analyzing the relationship between the back pressure of the anode and cathode of the HFC and the effective partial pressure of the reactant gas, a voltage output model and back pressure adjustment model are integrated to form an HFC electrochemical mechanism model, which realizes the dynamic and accurate description of the HFC output performance. The final experimental results show that the electrochemical mechanism model of the HFC can achieve good results.

Fuel burn evaluation of a transonic strut-braced-wing regional aircraft through multipoint aerodynamic optimisation

AbstractThis paper presents a relative fuel burn evaluation of the transonic strut-braced-wing configuration for the regional aircraft class in comparison to an equivalent conventional tube-and-wing aircraft. This is accomplished through multipoint aerodynamic shape optimisation based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Aircraft concepts are first developed through low-order multidisciplinary design optimisation based on the design missions and top-level aircraft requirements of the Embraer E190-E2. High-fidelity aerodynamic shape shape optimisation is then applied to wing–body–tail models of each aircraft, with the objective of minimising the weighted-average cruise drag over a five-point operating envelope that includes the nominal design point, design points at $\pm 10\%$ nominal $C_L$ at Mach 0.78, and two high-speed cruise points at Mach 0.81. Design variables include angle-of-attack, wing (and strut) twist and section shape degrees of freedom, and horizontal tail incidence, while nonlinear constraints include constant lift, zero pitching moment, minimum wing and strut volume, and minimum maximum thickness-to-chord ratios. Results show that the multipoint optimised strut-braced wing maintains similar features to those of the single-point optimum, and compromises on-design performance by only two drag counts to achieve up to 11.6% reductions in drag at the off-design conditions. Introducing low-order estimates for approximating full aircraft performance, results indicate that the multipoint optimised strut-braced-wing regional jet offers a 13.1% improvement in cruise lift-to-drag ratio and a 7.8% reduction in block fuel over a 500nmi nominal mission when compared to the similarly optimised Embraer E190-E2-like conventional tube-and-wing aircraft.

A methodology to integrate reliability into the conceptual design of safety-critical multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles

This article introduces a new conceptual design methodology to evaluate and explore underactuated electric multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designs for safety-critical applications. A case study focusing on medical transport in an urban environment demonstrates the methodology's effectiveness. The current state of the art does not provide conceptual design methodologies that integrate reliability considerations for multirotor UAVs. The proposed methodology addresses this gap by developing systematic reliability calculation and introducing sizing based on failure cases. For this purpose, controllability and reliability analysis methods are developed and linked to an analytical sizing methodology. The controllability analysis is based on the available control authority index adapted for failure case assessment and reliability analysis. The link between the controllability analysis and the sizing methodology is achieved by introducing failure case sizing factors. The sizing relies on a modern analytical database-free methodology with multidisciplinary design optimization for design customization and computational efficiency. This methodology is developed with new design models to cover failure cases in forward flights. When applied to the case study, the methodology efficiently evaluates and compares five concepts and indicates that only two comply with both the safety and reliability requirements and mission specifications (payload and range). More specifically, the methodology shows the major impact of reliability considerations on the case study with sizing factors that almost double or triple the required rotor thrusts depending on the design. This methodology is applicable to challenging future multirotor UAV applications that require to demonstrate high safety levels and redundancies, such as urban air taxis, flying ambulances, and search and rescue and medical equipment transport.

Multidisciplinary Collaborative Design and Optimization of Turbine Rotors Considering Aleatory and Interval Mixed Uncertainty under a SORA Framework

The turbine rotor is the key component of the turbine, which has a great impact on the construction cost and power generation efficiency of an entire hydropower station. Receiving the torque of the runner transmission and completing the specified power generation is its main function. There are many uncertain factors in the design, manufacture, and operation environment of a turbine rotor. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the mechanism on the premise of ensuring that the mechanical system meets high reliability and high safety levels. This article uses the multidisciplinary reliability analysis and optimization method under random and interval uncertainty to quantitatively analyze the uncertainty factors, and then optimally solves the RBMDO problem of the turbine rotor mechanism. Through the finite element simulation analysis of the optimized design scheme, the rationality and feasibility of the obtained results are further verified.

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Twin-Fuselage Aircraft with Boundary-Layer-Ingesting Distributed Propulsion

The requirements of sustainable and fuel-efficient next-generation air transportation place greater demands on future aircraft design. Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) and twin-fuselage (TF) are promising concepts to improve aircraft aerodynamic efficiency and flight performance. This paper aims to develop a multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) framework for the TF DEP aircraft concept to investigate the potential of introducing these two technologies in improving aircraft energy efficiency. The most important effect modeled in this study is the influence of the boundary-layer-ingesting DEP system on the propulsive efficiency. Besides, analytical models are derived for the mass, aerodynamic, and performance analysis, separately. Design cases of a wing-segment-mounted DEP, and a TF DEP unmanned aerial vehicle are analyzed to investigate the design space of DEP parameters and to demonstrate the MDAO process. The results show that the best arrangement of the DEP is to distribute the propulsors evenly on the three wing segments of the wing divided by the two fuselages. The optimization leads to more than a 65% increment in the endurance and an 8% reduction in the takeoff mass of the exemplary aircraft.

Preventing clinical deterioration in cancer outpatients: Human centered design of a predictive model and response system.

e13567 Background: Patients (pts) with cancer in the outpatient setting are at a high-risk for adverse events, such as unplanned hospitalizations and ER visits. A recent study found that up to 30% of hospital admissions were preventable. Identifying pts at risk of avoidable clinical deterioration remains a challenge, as clinicians may not be aware of pts’ experiences at home. The growing use of health IT presents an opportunity to identify and respond to clinical deterioration in patients before an adverse event occurs. In this study, we describe a human-centered design (HCD) process used to develop a clinical deterioration risk prediction system to improve the detection of and response to deterioration in cancer outpatients. Methods: Predictive model: We enrolled eligible cancer pts and collected data from each one including: FitBit, geolocation, EHR, and weekly patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Pts and their family caregivers could also report non-routine events (NREs), defined as any deviation from expected optimal care. We also captured unplanned treatment events (UTEs), a clinically meaningful change in the pt’s treatment course or care pathway. We developed a predictive model that generates a pt’s 7-day risk of clinical deterioration. Response system: We are developing a risk communication system (RCS) to communicate predicted risk scores to clinical teams. Using a HCD process, we first conducted 36 observations across 100 patient encounters to understand the environment of use. Next, we conducted 18 clinician interviews to define user needs. We have conducted 7 multi-disciplinary design sessions to iteratively develop prototypes of the RCS. We are currently conducting formative usability testing to assess the prototype and gather clinician feedback. Results: Predictive model: We have enrolled 36 cancer outpatients (24 head & neck, 9 gastrointestinal, and 3 lung). Pts completed a total of 219 weekly PROM surveys, reported 107 NREs and experienced 18 UTEs (e.g., infection). So far, models using EHR and PROM data are the most sensitive and precise (AUC: 0.983; 0.999). More patient data are required to develop higher quality stable models. Response system: We identified key design elements to include in the RCS, such as the caregiver’s phone number and the pt’s weight over time. Preliminary findings demonstrate high usability of the prototype RCS. Oncologists identified opportunities for the system to better support team communication and coordination, and to improve the identification and response to clinical deterioration in cancer outpatients. Conclusions: We have developed and tested a clinical deterioration risk prediction system for cancer outpatients. Future studies will implement the response system and evaluate its impact on clinical care.