Archive · 30 May 2025
MNNIT Researchers Studying Lightning's Impact on Aircraft
Imagine planes are like giant metal tubes that sometimes fly through thunderstorms.
Lightning can hit them!
Scientists at MNNIT are working on a project to make planes safer.
They want to find the perfect mix of materials that can protect the planes from lightning.
The scientists will study how lightning affects the plane's parts, like the skin, by using special computer models.
They will then create new tests to easily find out how well new materials can stand up to lightning.
This will help keep the people on the planes safe.
MNNIT scientists are researching materials to mitigate lightning strike effects on aircraft.
The project, funded by DRDO, follows a recent incident where a plane was damaged by lightning.
The research focuses on understanding lightning's impact on aircraft composite panels.
Multi-physics modeling will be used to analyze electrical, thermal, and mechanical effects.
The study aims to create a new code to test the electrical resistance of new materials.
- Who
- Scientists from MNNIT, funded by DRDO, led by Ashutosh Kumar Upadhyay.
- What
- Research on materials to reduce lightning strike damage to aircraft.
- When
- The project is funded for three years.
- Where
- Prayagraj, India at MNNIT.
- Why
- To mitigate damage caused by lightning strikes on aircraft and protect passengers.
- Institution
- Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT)
- Funding Source
- DRDO
- Project Cost
- Approximately Rs 60 lakh
- Lead Researcher
- Ashutosh Kumar Upadhyay
- Project Duration
- 3 years