Thesis Proposal Aerospace Engineer in Spain Valencia – Free Word Template Download with AI

Submitted to: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Purpose: Thesis Proposal for Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering
Date: October 26, 2023

The global aerospace industry stands at a pivotal juncture, facing unprecedented pressure to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as mandated by international agreements like the Paris Accord. This transformation is especially critical for urban environments where air pollution and noise congestion threaten public health and quality of life. In Spain Valencia, a hub of aerospace innovation with institutions like the Instituto de Ciencias Aeronáuticas y del Espacio (ICAE) and strong industry ties to Airbus, Indra, and Safran, there exists a compelling opportunity to pioneer sustainable aviation solutions. This Thesis Proposal outlines a research project focused on developing advanced electric-hybrid propulsion systems tailored for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles—specifically designed for deployment in the dense metropolitan corridors of Spain Valencia. As an aspiring Aerospace Engineer, I aim to contribute to Spain's strategic vision for sustainable aviation while addressing the unique logistical challenges of Mediterranean urban environments.

Current propulsion technologies for UAM vehicles face three critical limitations in metropolitan contexts: (1) insufficient energy density of batteries limiting flight range (<50 km), (2) excessive noise pollution violating urban regulatory thresholds, and (3) inadequate infrastructure compatibility with existing city layouts. Valencia's compact historic center, coastal geography, and high population density (>800k residents in the metropolitan area) exacerbate these challenges compared to sprawling North American cities. Existing research primarily targets U.S./European contexts without adapting to Mediterranean climate patterns (high summer temperatures, sea-level humidity) or Spain's distinct urban planning heritage. This gap represents a significant barrier to commercial UAM adoption in Spain Valencia, where local authorities have ambitious goals for eco-mobility under the "València 2030" sustainability plan.

Design and Model: Develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system optimized for Valencia's microclimate, incorporating liquid hydrogen storage to overcome battery limitations while maintaining operational safety in high-humidity coastal environments.
Noise Mitigation: Implement acoustic shielding technologies specifically calibrated for the frequency spectrum of urban noise regulations (35 dB(A) daytime limit) in Valencian cities.
Infrastructure Integration: Create a feasibility framework for UAM operations using existing infrastructure (e.g., rooftops of Valencia's modernist buildings, abandoned industrial zones like the former "Zona Franca" port area).
Economic Viability: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis aligned with Spain's 2023 National Hydrogen Strategy and EU Clean Aviation Programme funding mechanisms.

Recent studies by the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) emphasize propulsion efficiency but neglect regional adaptation. Research from MIT and Delft University focuses on battery innovation without addressing Mediterranean humidity impacts on fuel cells—critical for Spain Valencia's 70% annual relative humidity. The ICAE's 2022 report highlights Valencia's potential as a UAM testbed but identifies "lack of locally validated propulsion models" as the top implementation barrier. This project bridges this gap by integrating Valencian environmental data from the University of Valencia’s Meteorological Observatory with propulsion engineering—a nexus absent in current literature.

My research employs a three-phase methodology, leveraging UPV's facilities and industry partnerships:

Phase 1 (Months 1-6): Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling using ANSYS Fluent to simulate hydrogen combustion in Valencia’s coastal atmospheric conditions. Data from the Valencia Airport weather station will calibrate models for humidity/temperature impacts.
Phase 2 (Months 7-10): Prototype development at UPV's Advanced Propulsion Lab, testing noise reduction through metamaterial acoustic panels. Partnering with Aeronaves de Valencia (a local UAM startup), we will validate systems in controlled urban drone corridors near the Turia River basin.
Phase 3 (Months 11-14): Economic and regulatory analysis using Spain's Ministry of Transport’s Mobility Data Platform. Collaborating with Valencia City Council’s Urban Innovation Unit, we’ll model infrastructure retrofit costs for potential UAM "hubs" in the El Carmen district.

This Thesis Proposal will deliver:

A validated propulsion model with 40% greater range than current UAM systems under Valencian conditions.
A noise-compliant acoustic framework meeting Spain’s Royal Decree 155/2023 urban aviation standards.
A deployment roadmap for UAM infrastructure in Spain Valencia, targeting integration with the city's existing public transit network by 2030.

As an emerging Aerospace Engineer, this work directly advances Spain’s strategic priorities: (1) Positioning Valencia as a European UAM innovation cluster (aligned with EU Horizon Europe funding), (2) Supporting Spain’s 2035 renewable energy target through hydrogen adoption, and (3) Providing actionable data for the Ministry of Science's "Aeronautics for Social Impact" initiative. Crucially, it addresses Valencia’s unique identity—not as a generic European city but as a Mediterranean coastal metropolis with distinct environmental and spatial constraints.

Valencia offers an unparalleled testbed: its compact size (60 km diameter) enables comprehensive UAM network simulation, while its "smart city" infrastructure (e.g., 80% fiber-optic coverage for IoT networks) supports real-time traffic management. The city’s commitment to reducing urban NOx emissions by 50% by 2035 under the Valencia Climate Action Plan makes this research operationally urgent. Moreover, Spain's national "Hydrogen Strategy" prioritizes Valencian industrial zones like Sagunto for green hydrogen production—providing a local supply chain for propulsion systems. This project will directly inform the regional government's UAM policy draft (currently under consultation), ensuring academic research drives tangible public policy in Spain Valencia.

This Thesis Proposal establishes a clear pathway for an innovative, regionally tailored solution to UAM propulsion challenges. By anchoring the research in Valencia’s environmental data, urban fabric, and policy landscape—rather than importing generic models—the work will deliver immediately applicable outcomes for Spain’s aerospace ecosystem. As a future Aerospace Engineer committed to sustainable innovation, I am uniquely positioned to bridge academic rigor with Valencian industry needs through this project. The successful execution of this research would not only fulfill my Master's requirements at UPV but also catalyze Valencia’s emergence as a global leader in sustainable urban air mobility—a vision aligned with Spain’s ambition to dominate the next generation of aerospace technology.

(with Aeronaves de Valencia)

Prototype testing at UPV Advanced Propulsion Lab; initial noise validation

(with Valencia City Council)

Infrastructure feasibility studies; regulatory alignment workshops

(Final Thesis Writing)

Economic modeling, policy recommendations, thesis finalization

Period	Key Activities
Months 1-3	Literature review & environmental data collection (UPV Meteorological Observatory)
Months 4-6	CFD modeling of propulsion systems under Valencian climate parameters
Months 7-9
Months 10-12
Months 13-14

European Commission. (2023). *Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking: Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda*. Brussels: EC.
Instituto de Ciencias Aeronáuticas y del Espacio (ICAE). (2022). *Valencia as a UAM Testbed: Challenges and Opportunities*. UPV Press.
Ministry of Transport, Spain. (2023). *Royal Decree 155/2023: Urban Air Mobility Noise Standards*. Madrid.
Ramírez, J. et al. (2021). "Mediterranean Climate Impacts on Hydrogen Fuel Cells." *Journal of Sustainable Aviation*, 7(4), pp. 88–105.

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