Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics

Research in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics includes fluid-structure interactions, unsteady fluid flows, phase-based analysis of fluid flows, rarefied gas flow, particle flow simulation, aerodynamic trajectories in phase space and turbulent odor plume dynamics.

Axial velocity [m/s] contours for Re ≅ 300.

(Left) Graduate student collecting odor plume statistics for an outdoor propylene plume in the Black Rock Desert. (Right) Representative time trace of the odor concentration measured using a photoionization detector. In natural settings, turbulent wind breaks up odor plumes into highly intermittent signals, which makes tracking them to their source a challenging task for animals, as well as engineered systems.

Associated faculty

Matteo Aureli

Cahit Evrensel

Miles Greiner

Mustafa Hadj-Nacer

James Hanna

Aditya G. Nair

Ryan Tung

Floris van Breugel