The Aerodynamics Group conducts research on advanced aerodynamics and flow control technologies to improve the fluid-dynamic performance of flight vehicles. Our main focus is on flow physics and fundamental flow phenomena such as flow transition and separation, fluid/structure interaction, shockwave/boundary layer interactions, acoustic prediction and mitigation as well as aerodynamics and flight dynamics of unconventional flight vehicles. Our research involves experiments in wind tunnels and various flow facilities, using advance measurement technologies such as hot-wire anemometry, dynamic PIV, high speed imaging, Schlieren imaging systems, etc., as well as advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to study complex flow phenomena.
The Propulsion Group performs fundamental research on various enabling technologies for a variety of aerospace propulsion applications. One major theme of our research involves the study of detonation combustion and the underlying physical mechanisms, with the objective of applying detonation combustion to improve thermodynamic efficiency and performance. In addition, the group also performs extensive research on piston engines and the use of detonation or pressure gain combustion for power generation. We have employed and developed a wide range of diagnostics capabilities for experimental combustion and reacting gas dynamics research, such as Schlieren imaging, Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Our experimental research work is complemented by extensive high-fidelity numerical simulations.
