Home Projects PeopleBelow, you will find brief descriptions of current and recent research activities here at UC Davis. |
Computational determination of stability derivativesWe do Computational determination of stability derivatives... Blunt trailing-edge airfoilsWe do Blunt trailing-edge airfoils... Microtab-based load controlThe project introduces micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) translational tabs for enhancing and controlling aerodynamic loading of lifting surfaces. The research incorporates experimental wind tunnel testing and computational analysis along with microfabrication techniques to create and test the micro-tabs. In conjunction, wind tunnel experiments with different fixed tab configurations (size and chord-wise location) are being conducted in order to validate their effectiveness and to retrieve lift curves as well as drag polars. The experimental results will be used to validate computational results obtained with MSES (Euler equations with coupled boundary layers) and INS2D (incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations).
Contact: Raymond Chow
Boundary Layer Transition PredictionModification of Navier-Stokes flow solvers to predict and update the location of transition onset as the flow solution converges. Areas of research include wind turbine and rotorcraft blade design, other optimization related design tasks and general aerodynamic performance prediction. Contact: Edward Mayda
In-flight flow diagnostics via remote infraredRemote infrared imaging can be employed in flight at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic conditions to detect surface flow phenomena with minimal or no pretreatment of subject surfaces. In conjunction with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, experiments to date have used preexisting and commercially available infrared imaging systems to detect boundary layer transition, shocks, and near-surface vortices on a variety of aircraft. Contact: Henry Shiu |