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1-10 of 238 results

  • Graphics Tools for Meteorology Research and Education

    PI Mark Sinclair

    A software package called MADS (Meteorological Analysis and Diagnostic Software) is being developed to provide gridded data (both archived and real-time) and graphical software to produce maps, cross-sections, vertical profiles, time series graphs and statistical (climatological) displays of a large number of basic and derived quantities.

    Unlike similar proprietary software products, MADS is intuitive and very easy to use. Students produce publication-quality color maps and graphs with only a few minutes of instruction and typically remark on how easy the software is to use. Meteorology faculty have used MADS plots for their research, and MADS assignments have been implemented into meteorology classes. MADS is ideal for institutions with limited computing support and is maintained by various automated scripts that download or update archived datasets. This system is continually being enhanced to accommodate more and more features expected in a modern meteorological graphics display package.This project has the potential to enhance meteorology education. Weather analysis and forecasting require both critical thinking and three-dimensional spatial analysis skills to apply complex theory to the diagnosis of atmospheric processes from multiple environmental variables in a variety of graphical formats. Outside websites used by meteorology students to visualize atmospheric fields typically offer a limited menu of “standard” meteorological displays. Upper-division theory classes are usually taught from a purely mathematical standpoint, with limited application to real-time atmospheric phenomena. MADS allows students to visualize contributions of the individual terms in dynamical meteorology or thermodynamics equations and overlay them to see their relative impact in the current meteorological context.

    Tags: applied meteorology college of aviation meteorology prescott campus

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • Ice Cloud Parameterizations and Aircraft Icing

    PI Dorothea Ivanova

    Ice and mixed phase clouds have an important impact on aviation, but they are often poorly represented in the models.

    This proposal seeks to help improve our understanding of aircraft icing occurrence through better parameterizations of the ice microphysical cloud properties. The goal of this proposal is to create a new Global Climate Model (GCM) parameterization for Arctic ice and mixed-phase clouds, and explore possible relationship between different type size distributions (SDs), and airplane icing. The study will utilize data for different ice crystal size spectra in arctic cold clouds, and data for the corresponding airplane icing occurrences. The PI has already developed and published parameterizations for mid-latitude and tropical ice clouds (Ivanova 2001, Ivanova 2004, Mitchell and Ivanova 2006, Mitchell et al. 2008). The tropical and mid-latitude schemes predict different behavior of the SDs for the same ice water content (IWC) and temperatures. As temperature decreases beyond -35C, the concentration of the small crystals is enhanced with the tropical scheme, but the opposite occurs with the mid-latitude scheme. This finding indicates that the microphysics properties of tropical and mid-latitude cold clouds are considerably different for the same IWC. It may also point to the different mechanisms by which convective and non-convective cold clouds are generated. Clearly, there is a need for Arctic and polar ice cloud parameterization, and for a study to explore the possibility of a relationship between the environmental conditions (temperature, IWC, supercooled liquid water content), different predicted size spectra, and aircraft icing. Cold cloud interactions with aircrafts that fly through them require knowledge of cloud microphysics. Aircrafts must be designed to fly into supercooled clouds, or they must avoid those clouds in order to prevent problems associated with airframe and engine icing. De-icing or anti-icing systems must be engineered to withstand reasonable extremes in terms of ice water content (IWC), supercooled liquid water content (LWC), ice particle size distributions (SDs), and temperature. The aircraft design or certification envelopes (FAR 25, Appendix C; Federal Aviation Administration, 1999) were developed before the advent of modern cloud physics instrumentation. In the case of ice and mixed-phase clouds, data from the new arctic field campaigns suggest that cloud temperature is one of the main parameters governing cloud microstructure, the size distributions, and ice water content affecting aircraft icing. Korolev et al. (2001) showed that the cold cloud size distributions may depend on the value of the ice particle size assumed. Parameterizations of ice particle sizes for mid-latitude and tropical ice clouds (Ivanova et al., 2001, Boudala et al., 2002; Ivanova 2004; Mitchell et al., 2008) appear in recent literature, and were implemented in the U. S. Community Climate model 3 (CCM3) Global Climate Model (GCM), and U.K. MetOffice GCM, but little is done to study high latitude cold clouds size distributions and how they may be related to the aircraft icing.

    Contact Information

    Dr. Dorothea Ivanova

    Associate Professor

    Meteorology

    Work: 928-777-3976E-mail:

    Tags: applied meteorology college of aviation meteorology prescott campus

    Categories: Faculty-Staff Undergraduate

  • Mesoscale Computer Modeling of the North American Monsoon over Arizona

    PI Dorothea Ivanova

    The Department of Meteorology is involved in research on the North American (Mexican) Monsoon in Arizona and the U.S. Southwest.

    The objectives of this project are:
    • To achieve a better understanding of the evolution of the North American monsoon system and its variations.
    • To achieve a better understanding of the response of warm season atmospheric circulation and precipitation patterns to slowly varying boundary conditions (e.g. sea surface temperatures—SSTs, soil moisture), using advanced computer models.
    • To run atmospheric mesoscale models (MM5 and WRF) utilizing the parallel-processor supercomputer on the Prescott Campus.
    Our work focused on developing simple conceptual models of the monsoon using mesoscale computer models simulations and validation from remote sensing imagery and other meteorological datasets, involving some of our meteorology students to participate in undergraduate research.The key problem of any mesoscale model is the calculation of the model physics. Different convective parameterization schemes (CPS) result in a different seasonal evolution of the North American Monsoon (NAM). Running mesoscale models over the whole NAM region presents convective parameterization challenges, because different CPS's have assumptions and parameter specifications that make them more appropriate in some regions than others.This is complicated over the NAM domain, which is of appreciable size and variable topography. In our future work this year we want to expand upon the sensitivity studies using WRF, which is the most physically complex and appears to generate convective precipitation more realistically in the north of the NAM region.In our simulations so far, MM5 correctly predicted the development of the deep, monsoon PBL, and consequently did a good job of predicting the convective available potential energy and downdraft convective potential energy. Our coarse grid includes the entire monsoon domain. The nest comprises Central and Northern Arizona centered around Prescott Campus.During the 72-h simulations, a four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) procedure was used to insert atmospheric data into the model through a Newtonian relaxation nudging procedure. Newtonian relaxation terms are added to the prognostic equations for wind, temperature and water vapor.Our research indicates that the onset time of relatively heavy summer rainfall in Arizona generally occurs several days after the sea surface temperature (SST) in the northern Gulf of California reaches or exceeds 29.5°C. Our simulations using mesoscale model confirm this result, showing a dramatic increase in boundary layer moisture, convective available potential energy (CAPE), and updraft velocities over the GC region when N.-GC SSTs increase from 29°C to 30°C.

    Contact Information

    Dr. Dorothea Ivanova

    Associate Professor

    Meteorology

    Work: 928-777-3976E-mail:

    Tags: applied meteorology college of aviation meteorology prescott campus

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • The Effect of Using PollEverywhere Technology in Large-Lecture Classrooms

    The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of using PollEverywhere web software on student engagement in large lecture courses.

    A pilot study was completed in the fall of 2013 with a follow-up study occurring in the spring of 2014. The results of the pilot study will be published in the proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education.

    Tags: pedagogical ctle worldwide campus

    Categories: Undergraduate

  • Cbud Computing for Meteorology Education

    PI Curtis James

    Weather analysis and forecasting require both critical thinking and three-dimensional spatial analysis skills to apply complex theory to the diagnosis of atmospheric processes from multiple environmental variables in a variety of formats.



    Existing websites used by meteorology students to visualize atmospheric fields are not designed to facilitate synthesis of weather information because they offer a limited menu of “standard” meteorological displays without pedagogical intent or clear reference to theoretical underpinnings. Thus, there exists a significant opportunity to enhance online weather visualization tools in the context of meteorology education. This project seeks to create a virtual online LINUX server using a cloud service provider for 4D weather analysis and visualization in real time. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's (UCAR's) Unidata will configure the server using the Local Data Manager (LDM), a prototype installation of AWIPS II standalone EDEX server and CAVE client, and a RAMADDA server. Other meteorological tools will be configured for real-time use by National Weather Service meteorologists and the Department of Meteorology. All of these software packages will be accessible from any computer or mobile device using a web browser, and will support the Department's new focus in Emergency Response Meteorology practices and applications.

    Contact Information

    Dr. Curtis James

    Associate Professor

    Meteorology

    Work: 928-777-6655E-mail:

    Tags: applied meteorology college of aviation meteorology pedagogical ctle prescott campus

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • Wingsuit Aerodynamic Performance Measurement and Design Improvements

    PI Timothy Sestak

    Wingsuit flight and wingsuit design is in its pioneering stages. Development of wingsuits with regards to aerodynamics is rudimentary, and has been done primarily by a process of trial and error, and lacks solid aerodynamic foundation. A wingsuit is essentially a ram-air inflated airfoil structure with a human pilot inside.

    This research proposes a phased exploration of 1) the measured performance of current wingsuit technologies and 2) an investigation of basic changes in materials and construction that have the potential for significant improvements in lift and drag, resulting in increased glide ratios. Initial research will take place in the ERAU Prescott Campus, subsonic - closed circuit, 32” x 45” wind tunnel. The first phase of this research will test, record, and compare the effect on performance of various materials and fabrics currently used by wingsuit manufacturers on a well-documented rigid airfoil shape and a typical wingsuit airfoil. Materials tested will include typical woven fabrics commonly used on current wingsuit designs and more exotic materials like laminated X-ply reinforced monofilm commonly used on windsurfer and competitive yacht sails. The aerodynamic effects of contaminated airfoils vs smooth surfaces is well known but there is little documentation concerning the use of fabric on wing surfaces and of airfoils of the size, operating speeds and Reynolds numbers of typical wingsuit sized airfoils. Many wingsuits use fabrics and materials believed to be poor aerodynamic choices or improperly positioned on the airfoil for best performance. Phase One will establish a baseline of data to empirically demonstrate and compare the effect of typically used materials and potential alternate materials on wingsuit airfoil performance. This will provide baseline data for following studies. Phase Two will repeat the performance data collection of phase one using ram-air inflated wing configurations similar to those used in current wingsuits. The lift and drag performance of typical ram-air wingsuit airfoils and the effect on lift and drag of differing materials used to construct ram-air inflated airfoils will be measured. Phase Three will examine the effects of wing deformation due to in-flight dynamic pressures. Then techniques for stabilization of wingsuit lifting shapes and surfaces to counter deformation by dynamic pressure will be examined. This phase will include the human factors elements of designing wingsuit components that are flexible, allowing a full range of motion to the human pilot necessary to safely fly the wingsuit and then deploy and operate a parachute for landing, while being aerodynamically stable and able to retain aerodynamic shape at high dynamic pressures. Phase Four will use the information developed from the previous research to explore a range of airfoil and membrane wing configurations both with Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling and wind tunnel testing to derive human factors compatible wingsuit configurations that offer significantly improved performance over current designs. Significant human factors constraints exist in developing new concepts for wingsuits. The final concepts/products must be able to perform on a human worn suit, capable of donning and doffing in a reasonable amount of time, and while being worn enable the wearer to walk to, board, and safely exit while in flight, a typical aircraft used for skydiving (i.e. Twin Otter with inflight jump door) without unusual discomfort or the need for special accommodations. For manufacture and production, materials and processes must be compatible with customization to the body sizes of the full spectrum of wingsuit users. The final product must be able to be manufactured in a reasonable amount of time and cost, be durable enough to last for approximately 500 normal use flights without repair or unserviceable wear, and be affordable to the customer within the current range of wingsuit costs ($1500 to $2500 for a custom made, fit to the individual, high performance wingsuit). In this work we intend to use the significant previous work performed concerning ram-air inflated wing aerodynamics and high performance sail and membrane wing aerodynamics. Previous work is mostly at much lower airspeeds and with larger surfaces and Reynolds numbers than wingsuit aerodynamics, but should offer significant clues toward useful paths of research. CFD analysis software designed for high performance nautical sails will be a candidate technology to model and analyze potential designs to compare against wind tunnel testing of proposed modifications. Follow on research would involve incorporation of the resulting concepts into full sized wingsuits with wind tunnel and inflight testing. Collapsible ram-air airfoils developed for this study are also applicable to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, reducing the size of pre-deployment wings and the necessity for large bulky transport and storage. Follow on research will seek funding for applications of this technology to UAVs.

    Tags: aeronautical science college of aviation prescott campus

    Categories: Undergraduate

  • Evaluating Simulation Tools to Study the Impact of Space Shuttle Launch on the National Air Transportation System

    PI Ahmed Abdelghany

    The objective of this project is to provide a comparative study to evaluate the functionalities of the available airspace simulation tools.

    In particular, the objective is to evaluate how these available simulation tools can be used to capture the impact of space shuttle launch on the National Air Transportation System. This impact could be in the form of flight delays, flight cancellations, trajectory amendments, etc.

    Tags: college of business completed research daytona beach campus management marketing and operations

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • Volusia County Transportation Challenge: A Commentary Report on Volusia County's Long Range Transportation Plan

    PI Ahmed Abdelghany

    The objective of this project is to evaluate the long-term (5-10 years) transportation plan of Volusia county.

    The plan includes the list of all transportation construction projects that are proposed by the county. The objective is to study these projects together with their validation study and verify their importance for the county.

    Tags: college of business completed research daytona beach campus economics finance and information systems

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • Fusing Satellite and Drone Data with GIS to Create New Analytical Decision Support Tools for Varying Farm Types

    PI Kevin Adkins

    PI Nickolas Macchiarella

    CO-I Ronny Schroeder

    CO-I University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

    The synergy between moderate resolution satellite imagery and fine resolution drone imagery, LiDAR data, and meteorological data, along with generally available GIS data, must be identified and optimized. These data will be integrated to produce a variety of products that help identify what tools, inputs, and management strategies most effectively contribute to an increase in the productivity and resilience of an important agricultural system to a major weather or climate related disturbance.

    Satellite imagery has been used in agriculture for some time and the increasing implementation of drones into agriculture and agriculture science holds unique promise. However, the synergy between moderate resolution satellite imagery, fine resolution drone imagery, fine resolution LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) data, fine-resolution meteorological data, and generally available GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data must be identified and optimized. To be most useful, this fusion of data should help provide estimates in the health and yield of agriculture systems as well as insight into the microclimate and ecosystem variation within a farm site. These data will be integrated to produce a variety of fine-resolution maps that can be analyzed to identify what tools, inputs, and management strategies most effectively contribute to an increase in productivity, agroecological system health, and resiliency or restoration (typically in response to weather or climatic disturbance) of a given farming operation and site. This research will apply these data science methods and tools to varying farm types in Puerto Rico. We expect new insight into how the fusing of a multitude of data can be effectively integrated into an agriculture operation and, subsequently, determine which outputs are most valuable to the varied farm types, practices, and locations. This investigation will also provide critical information on the resistance and resilience of an important agricultural system to major weather or climate-related disturbances and, subsequently, inform management decisions related to climate change adaptation.

    Tags: nmanned aircraft systems uas drones agriculture farm management climate resiliency

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

  • GUMP: General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool

    PI Kevin Adkins

    CO-I Nickolas Macchiarella

    CO-I National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA

    Hyperlocal weather predictions are often necessary in order to determine whether a particular sUAS route will be safe to fly. The General Urban area Microclimate Predictions tool (GUMP) seeks to provide such predictions through the use of machine learning (ML) models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The computed wind flow field is converted into an intuitive risk map for sUAS operators through the use of appropriate thresholds on wind velocities.

    Adverse weather conditions, particularly, high winds, can have a highly adverse impact on small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations. These conditions can vary significantly within a small area (particularly, in an urban environment); thus, hyperlocal weather predictions are often necessary in order to determine whether a particular sUAS route will be safe to fly. The General Urban area Microclimate Predictions tool (GUMP) seeks to provide such predictions through the use of machine learning (ML) models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Specifically, ML models are trained to ingest mesoscale forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and output refined forecasts for some specific location, typically, a weather station that serves as a source of ground truth data during training. At the same time, CFD simulations over 3D models of structures (e.g., buildings) are utilized to extend the refined forecast to other points within the area of interest surrounding the location. Because it is difficult to perform such simulations in real-time, they are executed offline under a wide range of boundary conditions, generating a broad set of resulting wind flow fields. During deployment, GUMP retrieves the wind flow field that is most consistent with the ML model’s forecast. The wind flow field can be converted into an intuitive risk map for sUAS operators through the use of appropriate thresholds on wind velocities. I addition to NASA, additional partners on this project are Intelligent Automation Inc. and AvMet.

    Tags: Unmanned aircraft systems uas drones urban air mobility advanced air mobility urban operations micrometeorology urban boundary layer

    Categories: Faculty-Staff

1-10 of 238 results