TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Sabine D. A1 - Krüger, Markus A1 - Willmes, Diana M. A1 - Redemann, Nora A1 - Wunderlich, F. Thomas A1 - Brönneke, Hella S. A1 - Merkwirth, Carsten A1 - Kashkar, Hamid A1 - Olkkonen, Vesa M. A1 - Böttger, Thomas A1 - Braun, Thomas A1 - Seibler, Jost A1 - Brüning, Jens C. T1 - Obesity-induced overexpression of miRNA-143 inhibits insulin-stimulated AKT activation and impairs glucose metabolism JF - Nature Cell Biology N2 - The contribution of altered post-transcriptional gene silencing to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus so far remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that expression of microRNA (miR)-143 and 145 is upregulated in the liver of genetic and dietary mouse models of obesity. Induced transgenic overexpression of miR-143, but not miR-145, impairs insulin-stimulated AKT activation and glucose homeostasis. Conversely, mice deficient for the miR-143–145 cluster are protected from the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance. Quantitative-mass-spectrometry-based analysis of hepatic protein expression in miR-143-overexpressing mice revealed miR-143-dependent downregulation of oxysterol-binding-protein-related protein (ORP) 8. Reduced ORP8 expression in cultured liver cells impairs the ability of insulin to induce AKT activation, revealing an ORP8-dependent mechanism of AKT regulation. Our experiments provide direct evidence that dysregulated post-transcriptional gene silencing contributes to the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance, and characterize the miR-143–ORP8 pathway as a potential target for the treatment of obesity-associated diabetes. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2211 SN - 1465-7392 VL - 13 IS - 4 SP - 434 EP - 446 PB - Nature CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Neu, Eugen A1 - Janser, Frank A1 - Khatibi, Akbar A. A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Orifici, Adrian C. T1 - Operational Modal Analysis of a wing excited by transonic flow JF - Aerospace Science and Technology N2 - Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) is a promising candidate for flutter testing and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of aircraft wings that are passively excited by wind loads. However, no studies have been published where OMA is tested in transonic flows, which is the dominant condition for large civil aircraft and is characterized by complex and unique aerodynamic phenomena. We use data from the HIRENASD large-scale wind tunnel experiment to automatically extract modal parameters from an ambiently excited wing operated in the transonic regime using two OMA methods: Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) and Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD). The system response is evaluated based on accelerometer measurements. The excitation is investigated from surface pressure measurements. The forcing function is shown to be non-white, non-stationary and contaminated by narrow-banded transonic disturbances. All these properties violate fundamental OMA assumptions about the forcing function. Despite this, all physical modes in the investigated frequency range were successfully identified, and in addition transonic pressure waves were identified as physical modes as well. The SSI method showed superior identification capabilities for the investigated case. The investigation shows that complex transonic flows can interfere with OMA. This can make existing approaches for modal tracking unsuitable for their application to aircraft wings operated in the transonic flight regime. Approaches to separate the true physical modes from the transonic disturbances are discussed. Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2015.11.032 SN - 1270-9638 VL - 49 SP - 73 EP - 79 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix A1 - Bil, Cees A1 - Braun, Carsten T1 - Initial Sizing Methodology for Hybrid-Electric General Aviation Aircraft JF - Journal of Aircraft Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C035428 SN - 1533-3868 VL - 57 IS - 2 SP - 245 EP - 255 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bergmann, Ole A1 - Götten, Falk A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Janser, Frank T1 - Comparison and evaluation of blade element methods against RANS simulations and test data JF - CEAS Aeronautical Journal N2 - This paper compares several blade element theory (BET) method-based propeller simulation tools, including an evaluation against static propeller ground tests and high-fidelity Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations. Two proprietary propeller geometries for paraglider applications are analysed in static and flight conditions. The RANS simulations are validated with the static test data and used as a reference for comparing the BET in flight conditions. The comparison includes the analysis of varying 2D aerodynamic airfoil parameters and different induced velocity calculation methods. The evaluation of the BET propeller simulation tools shows the strength of the BET tools compared to RANS simulations. The RANS simulations underpredict static experimental data within 10% relative error, while appropriate BET tools overpredict the RANS results by 15–20% relative error. A variation in 2D aerodynamic data depicts the need for highly accurate 2D data for accurate BET results. The nonlinear BET coupled with XFOIL for the 2D aerodynamic data matches best with RANS in static operation and flight conditions. The novel BET tool PropCODE combines both approaches and offers further correction models for highly accurate static and flight condition results. KW - BET KW - CFD propeller simulation KW - Propeller aerodynamics KW - Actuator disk modelling KW - Propeller performance Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-022-00579-1 SN - 1869-5590 (Online) SN - 1869-5582 (Print) N1 - Corresponding author: Ole Bergmann VL - 13 SP - 535 EP - 557 PB - Springer CY - Wien ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Götten, Falk A1 - Havermann, Marc A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Marino, Matthew A1 - Bil, Cees T1 - Wind-tunnel and CFD investigations of UAV landing gears and turrets – Improvements in empirical drag estimation JF - Aerospace Science and Technology N2 - This paper analyzes the drag characteristics of several landing gear and turret configurations that are representative of unmanned aircraft tricycle landing gears and sensor turrets. A variety of these components were constructed via 3D-printing and analyzed in a wind-tunnel measurement campaign. Both turrets and landing gears were attached to a modular fuselage that supported both isolated components and multiple components at a time. Selected cases were numerically investigated with a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes approach that showed good accuracy when compared to wind-tunnel data. The drag of main gear struts could be significantly reduced via streamlining their cross-sectional shape and keeping load carrying capabilities similar. The attachment of wheels introduced interference effects that increased strut drag moderately but significantly increased wheel drag compared to isolated cases. Very similar behavior was identified for front landing gears. The drag of an electro-optical and infrared sensor turret was found to be much higher than compared to available data of a clean hemisphere-cylinder combination. This turret drag was merely influenced by geometrical features like sensor surfaces and the rotational mechanism. The new data of this study is used to develop simple drag estimation recommendations for main and front landing gear struts and wheels as well as sensor turrets. These recommendations take geometrical considerations and interference effects into account. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2020.106306 SN - 1270-9638 VL - 107 IS - Art. 106306 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Götten, Falk A1 - Havermann, Marc A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Marino, Matthew A1 - Bil, Cees T1 - Improved Form Factor for Drag Estimation of Fuselages with Various Cross Sections JF - Journal of Aircraft N2 - The paper presents an aerodynamic investigation of 70 different streamlined bodies with fineness ratios ranging from 2 to 10. The bodies are chosen to idealize both unmanned and small manned aircraft fuselages and feature cross-sectional shapes that vary from circular to quadratic. The study focuses on friction and pressure drag in dependency of the individual body’s fineness ratio and cross section. The drag forces are normalized with the respective body’s wetted area to comply with an empirical drag estimation procedure. Although the friction drag coefficient then stays rather constant for all bodies, their pressure drag coefficients decrease with an increase in fineness ratio. Referring the pressure drag coefficient to the bodies’ cross-sectional areas shows a distinct pressure drag minimum at a fineness ratio of about three. The pressure drag of bodies with a quadratic cross section is generally higher than for bodies of revolution. The results are used to derive an improved form factor that can be employed in a classic empirical drag estimation method. The improved formulation takes both the fineness ratio and cross-sectional shape into account. It shows superior accuracy in estimating streamlined body drag when compared with experimental data and other form factor formulations of the literature. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C036032 SN - 1533-3868 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - AIAA CY - Reston, Va. ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Bil, Cees T1 - Comparative assessment of parallel-hybrid-electric propulsion systems for four different aircraft JF - Journal of Aircraft N2 - Until electric energy storage systems are ready to allow fully electric aircraft, the combination of combustion engine and electric motor as a hybrid-electric propulsion system seems to be a promising intermediate solution. Consequently, the design space for future aircraft is expanded considerably, as serial hybrid-electric, parallel hybrid-electric, fully electric, and conventional propulsion systems must all be considered. While the best propulsion system depends on a multitude of requirements and considerations, trends can be observed for certain types of aircraft and certain types of missions. This Paper provides insight into some factors that drive a new design toward either conventional or hybrid propulsion systems. General aviation aircraft, regional transport aircraft vertical takeoff and landing air taxis, and unmanned aerial vehicles are chosen as case studies. Typical missions for each class are considered, and the aircraft are analyzed regarding their takeoff mass and primary energy consumption. For these case studies, a high-level approach is chosen, using an initial sizing methodology. Only parallel-hybrid-electric powertrains are taken into account. Aeropropulsive interaction effects are neglected. Results indicate that hybrid-electric propulsion systems should be considered if the propulsion system is sized by short-duration power constraints. However, if the propulsion system is sized by a continuous power requirement, hybrid-electric systems offer hardly any benefit. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C035897 SN - 1533-3868 VL - 57 IS - 5 PB - AIAA CY - Reston, Va. ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Götten, Falk A1 - Finger, Felix A1 - Havermann, Marc A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Marino, M. A1 - Bil, C. T1 - Full configuration drag estimation of short-to-medium range fixed-wing UAVs and its impact on initial sizing optimization JF - CEAS Aeronautical Journal N2 - The paper presents the derivation of a new equivalent skin friction coefficient for estimating the parasitic drag of short-to-medium range fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. The new coefficient is derived from an aerodynamic analysis of ten different unmanned aircraft used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions. The aircraft is simulated using a validated unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes approach. The UAV’s parasitic drag is significantly influenced by the presence of miscellaneous components like fixed landing gears or electro-optical sensor turrets. These components are responsible for almost half of an unmanned aircraft’s total parasitic drag. The new equivalent skin friction coefficient accounts for these effects and is significantly higher compared to other aircraft categories. It is used to initially size an unmanned aircraft for a typical reconnaissance mission. The improved parasitic drag estimation yields a much heavier unmanned aircraft when compared to the sizing results using available drag data of manned aircraft. KW - Parasitic drag KW - UAV KW - CFD KW - Aircraft sizing Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-021-00522-w SN - 1869-5590 (Online) SN - 1869-5582 (Print) N1 - Corresponding author: Falk Götten VL - 12 SP - 589 EP - 603 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix A1 - Götten, Falk A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Bil, Cees T1 - Mass, primary energy, and cost: the impact of optimization objectives on the initial sizing of hybrid-electric general aviation aircraft JF - CEAS Aeronautical Journal N2 - For short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft, a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system potentially offers superior performance compared to a conventional propulsion system, because the short-take-off power requirement is much higher than the cruise power requirement. This power-matching problem can be solved with a balanced hybrid propulsion system. However, there is a trade-off between wing loading, power loading, the level of hybridization, as well as range and take-off distance. An optimization method can vary design variables in such a way that a minimum of a particular objective is attained. In this paper, a comparison between the optimization results for minimum mass, minimum consumed primary energy, and minimum cost is conducted. A new initial sizing algorithm for general aviation aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion systems is applied. This initial sizing methodology covers point performance, mission performance analysis, the weight estimation process, and cost estimation. The methodology is applied to the design of a STOL general aviation aircraft, intended for on-demand air mobility operations. The aircraft is sized to carry eight passengers over a distance of 500 km, while able to take off and land from short airstrips. Results indicate that parallel hybrid-electric propulsion systems must be considered for future STOL aircraft. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-020-00449-8 SN - 1869-5590 N1 - Corresponding author: Felix Finger VL - 2020 IS - 11 SP - 713 EP - 730 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix A1 - Braun, Carsten A1 - Bil, Cees T1 - Impact of Battery Performance on the Initial Sizing of Hybrid-Electric General Aviation Aircraft JF - Journal of Aerospace Engineering N2 - Studies suggest that hybrid-electric aircraft have the potential to generate fewer emissions and be inherently quieter when compared to conventional aircraft. By operating combustion engines together with an electric propulsion system, synergistic benefits can be obtained. However, the performance of hybrid-electric aircraft is still constrained by a battery’s energy density and discharge rate. In this paper, the influence of battery performance on the gross mass for a four-seat general aviation aircraft with a hybrid-electric propulsion system is analyzed. For this design study, a high-level approach is chosen, using an innovative initial sizing methodology to determine the minimum required aircraft mass for a specific set of requirements and constraints. Only the peak-load shaving operational strategy is analyzed. Both parallel- and serial-hybrid propulsion configurations are considered for two different missions. The specific energy of the battery pack is varied from 200 to 1,000 W⋅h/kg, while the discharge time, and thus the normalized discharge rating (C-rating), is varied between 30 min (2C discharge rate) and 2 min (30C discharge rate). With the peak-load shaving operating strategy, it is desirable for hybrid-electric aircraft to use a light, low capacity battery system to boost performance. For this case, the battery’s specific power rating proved to be of much higher importance than for full electric designs, which have high capacity batteries. Discharge ratings of 20C allow a significant take-off mass reduction aircraft. The design point moves to higher wing loadings and higher levels of hybridization if batteries with advanced technology are used. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001113 SN - 1943-5525 VL - 33 IS - 3 PB - ASCE CY - Reston, Va. ER -