Passion Project 3.0 - Reboot

While thinking of the passion project during the Winter I realized it was a rather pointless endeavor to create small albeit marketable trinkets. I wanted to bring forth a larger more impactful idea to discuss at Waterloo.

I want to follow my passion of aviation and continue research in that field. My current list of possible subjects and challenges are tackling cosmic radiation affecting passengers and crew during flight and noise pollution reducing technology. 

Airline crew are even listed as radiation workers by the CDC as they experience approximately 3.07 mSv compared to nuclear power workers who are exposed to 1.87 mSv on average annually. This exposure is considered safe however over the course of a 30 year career this exposure could amount to real consequences for crew or frequent fliers. Cosmic radiation is also a major concern for interstellar travel. NASA recently challenged members of the public to raise solutions to this problem and winning responses included an orbital shield as well as electromagnetic shields, similar to how our atmosphere shields us. 

Noise pollution on the other hand is the number one complaint to the FAA. Currently the technology proposed to mitigate noise includes directing engine noise above the wings, engine placement, and chevrons. Chevrons are the cutouts behind engines which help smoothly mix hot exhaust air with cool bypass air. This uncontrolled mixture causes increased noise. Chevrons however do reduce aircraft performance and efficiency so "virtual chevrons" which blow pressurized bleed air instead of physical chevrons are a possible solution. Deployed flaps and landing gear are also major sources of noise. Perhaps attaching vortex generators in those areas could reduce drag and noise around those areas.