NASA, FAA Partner to Develop New Wildland Fire Technologies
NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have established a research transition team to guide the development of wildland fire technology. Wildland fires are occurring more frequently and at a larger scale than in past decades, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Emergency responders will need a broader set of technologies to prevent, monitor, and […]
NASA Photographer Honored for Thrilling Inverted In-Flight Image
Riding in the back seat of a car can be boring. Riding in the back of a NASA aircraft is exhilarating, especially for photographers capturing NASA’s story. Jim Ross, photo lead at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, was awarded first place for an image he took while flying upside down in a […]
GRACE project: Successful tests of the satellite drive engine
In the first quarter of 2024, the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation successfully completed a series of tests of the engine that belongs to the category of the largest subsystems in satellite propulsion. The development of this engine is carried out as part of the GRACE project, financed by the Polish contribution to the European […]
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Team Says Goodbye … for Now
The final downlink shift by the Ingenuity team was a time to reflect on a highly successful mission — and to prepare the first aircraft on another world for its new role. Engineers working on NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter assembled for one last time in a control room at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in […]
Aerospace technologies with the participation of Polish engineers
On April 12, we celebrate the International Day of Human Space Flight, which was established to commemorate the first human flight into space. Aviation and space technologies are currently developing in completely new directions – new, more advanced versions of aircraft and components are being developed and used, among others, for Mars exploration. Research work […]
NASA’s DC-8 Completes Final Mission, Set to Retire
After 37 years of successful airborne science missions, NASA’s DC-8 aircraft completed its final mission and returned to the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California, on April 1. The DC-8 and crew were welcomed back with a celebratory water salute by the U.S Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department after completing […]
VTT, GTK and industrial partners initiate groundbreaking research project on hydrogen storage
Press release 9 April 2024
VTT and GTK, and industrial partner organizations are launching a pioneering research project Hydrogen UnderGround (HUG) focused on underground storage of hydrogen. As Finland aims to foster its national hydrogen industry, large-scale hydrogen storage research emerges as a critical step forward. This initiative represents the first public hydrogen storage endeavor of this scale in Finland.
Hydrogen underground storages are widely seen to play a critical role in the green hydrogen value chain as the production and demand of hydrogen needs to be balanced. Storages
NASA Langley Team to Study Weather During Eclipse Using Uncrewed Vehicles
A six-person team of researchers from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, will travel to Fort Drum, N.Y., to study changes in the Sun’s radiation as it reaches Earth before, during, and after the total solar eclipse April 8. Weather sensors similar to what is used on daily weather balloons by the National Weather […]
NASA Noise Prediction Tool Supports Users in Air Taxi Industry
Several air taxi companies are using a NASA-developed computer software tool to predict aircraft noise and aerodynamic performance. This tool allows manufacturers working in fields related to NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission to see early in the aircraft development process how design elements like propellers or wings would perform. This saves the industry time and […]
Imagine developing a revolutionary drone concept that could save lives in disaster zones: Are You Ready to Be a Hero?
This isn't science fiction - it's the challenge of the GoAERO competition, offering over $2 million in prizes for the best Emergency Response Flyer design!
Heroes who look past danger to help people in need, Heroes to step in to be the difference between triumph and tragedy, And Heroes who use their minds to create technology that saves lives.
We need those Heroes.
GoAERO is offering $2+ Million in prizes for the best thinkers, creators and inventors to build Emergency Response Flyers and stretch and challenge their minds to unlock a new era of disaster and rescue response.
By unleashing the power of autonomy, speed, and precision, GoAERO is looking for the brightest, boldest and bravest to change the way we rescue and respond to disaster.
This is your chance to make history and save lives.
JOIN US! The VKI-TU Delft team is looking for YOU, a passionate master's student with expertise in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Control Engineering or other relevant disciplined, to join our ranks!
Interested? This competition pushes the boundaries of drone technology for real-world impact. Think: navigating complex environments, deploying critical supplies, and assisting with rescue efforts.
Ready to answer the call? Get in touch with Prof. Christophe Schram (von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics) or Dr. Daniele Ragni (Delft University of Technology) to learn more and be part of a team.
Making furniture with paper machines - VTT and ISKU have created a novel biocomposite chair from cellulose
Press release 4 April 2024
The chair is the world's first innovation that utilizes foam forming technology, combines natural cellulose fibres, wood pulp and thermoplastic components, and represents a sustainable alternative for furniture design. The new demo chair can be seen and experienced at the Pulp & Beyond 2024 (https://pulpandbeyond.messukeskus.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pulp%20&Beyond_2024_Br%C3%A4ndi&utm_content=Br%C3%A4ndi&utm_term=pulp%20and%20beyond%202024&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoav8hpCmhQMVuguiAx1XRwGEEAAYASAAEgKNX_D_BwE)Exhibition on April
Smooth, sustainable and user-friendly future mobility under way in Tampere, Finland
Press release 2nd April 2024 at 8:15
Reaching of emission and sustainability targets are a challenge for both urban development and transport performance. New solutions are needed to deliver mobility services tailored to users and sustainable, safe and smooth urban transport. The Finnish Smart Rail Ecosystem has set itself the goal of creating the world's best tram in terms of passenger experience and life-cycle services.
SmartRail, a network and ecosystem (https://smartrailecosystem.com/) formed by Škoda Transtech, the City of Tampere, Tampere University, VTT Technical Research Centre of
University Teams Selected as Finalists to Envision New Aviation Responses to Natural Disasters
Eight teams participating in the 2024 Gateways to Blue Skies: Advancing Aviation for Natural Disasters Competition have been selected to present their design concepts to a panel of industry experts at the 2024 Blue Skies Forum, May 30 and 31, 2024 at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. Sponsored by NASA’s Aeronautics Research […]
VTT's multi-million investment in a plasma-FIB scanning electron microscope catapults Finland to the forefront of Nordic materials research
Press release, 26 March 2024
The first plasma-FIB scanning electron microscope in Finland has just become operational at VTT in Espoo, Finland. This multi-million investment will significantly contribute to materials research for applications such as hydrogen economy, microelectronics, and the marine industry, as well as to material damage investigation.
A TESCAN AMBER X system, Finland's first Focused Ion Beam (FIB) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) using Xenon plasma, has been taken into use at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. In the Nordic countries, there are just a handful
VTT is developing a groundbreaking AI tool to measure work-related stress
Press release 25 March 2024
VTT, one of Europe's leading research institutions, has developed an AI-based tool that can recognise when knowledge workers are under stress. The tool can be used in organisations to be aware of stress levels, identify root causes, and act early on, which helps to reduce or avoid stress-related sick leaves.
Work-related stress and its follow-up effects have become a major issue globally. Employers are actively seeking ways to address this issue, but even the detection of stress poses challenges because few tools can do it reliably. In collaboration with the
NASA, Health and Human Services Highlight Cancer Moonshot Progress
During an event at NASA Headquarters in Washington Thursday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra united to note progress their respective agencies are making in space and on Earth toward President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. “We go to space not […]
Director of the Institute at the 2024 ICAO Innovation Fair
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) organized the 2024 ICAO Innovation Fair under the slogan “Digital Aviation: the Future is Now” dedicated to the future of aviation in the digital era. The event took place on March 12-14, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. Director of the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, Paweł Stężycki, was invited to […]
New optical measurements are revolutionising health and wellness monitoring – VTT works with companies to develop wearable sensors
Press release 20 March, 2024
Today, more and more wearable electronics are used for monitoring health and wellness. A project coordinated by VTT is researching new measurement technologies to produce continuous, more accurate data on the wearer’s health in a cost-effective way. New measurement methods can also make treatments more comfortable for patients, allow patients to move more freely and improve patient safety.
PhotonWear is a jointly-funded two-year project launched by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, aiming to develop new optical methods for measuring physiological
Shaping the future: A look back at the work of doctoral students at VKI!
The von Karman Institute (VKI) PhD Symposium (12-15 March) concluded on a high note with a trip to Oostende! This inspiring event wasn't just about research – it addressed the challenges faced by all PhD students. Dr. Liesbet Boone's workshop on Imposter Syndrome provided invaluable tools to combat self-doubt and embrace our potential.
The focus then shifted to the critical field of Wind Energy & Environmental Flows research, a session brimming with innovative ideas to tackle climate challenges. The day culminated with a fascinating visit to the Coastal & Ocean Basin – a perfect way to connect research with real-world applications. A Huge Thank You to the Coast & Ocean Basin Team!
The PhD Symposium is an annual event that celebrates the research endeavors of VKI's PhD students. Each day kicked off with a keynote lecture delivered by a prominent figure in one of the three key application areas of fluid dynamics. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Grazia Lamanna, Dr. Denis Sipp, and Dr. Rosario Spataro for sharing their expertise and igniting a passion for fluid dynamics among the attendees.
The groundbreaking research undertaken by VKI's PhD students across various subfields of fluid dynamics, including Liquid Metals & Industrial Flows, Aeroacoustics, Shape Optimisation, Liquid & Solid Propulsion, Compressor and Turbine Aerodynamics & Heat Transfer, Aerothermochemistry, Aerothermodynamics, Rarefied and Plasma Flows, and Instrumentation & Measurement Techniques, paves the way for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
German Space Operations Center commands small satellite with next-generation software via Cubesat Space Protocol
Imagine sitting in a café on a sunny day, coffee in hand, impatiently waiting for a reply to a message you’ve just sent with your new smartphone. Minutes pass slowly, and the moments of anticipation just seem to stretch out. This everyday experience of waiting for a reply mirrors the tense wait at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen for a first message from DLR’s PIXL-I Cubesat.
NATO accelerator and two test centres to be established in Finland
Press release 14 March 2024
NATO's DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) programme is expanding its network with new sites. Finland is now part of the network since the Board of the DIANA initiative approved a proposal to establish an accelerator and two test centres in Finland. Their mission is to help companies develop technology, innovation and business for the civil and defence sectors.
The preparatory work, which started in spring 2023, was led by the Ministry of Defence and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and required input from several operators,
NASA Armstrong Updates 1960s Concept to Study Giant Planets
NASA researchers are looking at the possibility of using a wingless, unpowered aircraft design from the 1960s to gather atmospheric data on other planets – doing the same work as small satellites but potentially better and more economically. John Bodylski, a principal investigator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, hypothesized a lifting […]
Honoring Women in Engineering and International Collaboration on International Women's Day
Today, on International Women's Day, VKI was honored to welcome delegations from NATO countries.This visit provided a perfect opportunity to showcase the exceptional contributions of our women engineers to the vital research conducted at VKI. We also discussed the ongoing initiatives VKI is taking to promote greater gender equality within our institution. Furthermore, the day served as an excellent platform to celebrate the importance of international collaboration in scientific research.
New Look at NASA, Boeing Sustainable Experimental Airliner
As NASA and Boeing enter the early stages of producing the X-66, the first X-plane specifically focused on helping the United States achieve net-zero aviation emissions by 2050, the team is already picturing what the aircraft will look like soaring above the clouds. A new rendering of the X-66 from Boeing demonstrates the aircraft’s signature […]
