The research group is dedicated to various aspects of fluid dynamics analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, both internally developed and commercially available. These tools are employed to explore the characteristics of various flow fields in different applications, primarily focusing on aircraft aerodynamics but not limited to it. Often, aerodynamic analysis is followed by an optimization phase aimed at improving the configuration.
Below, we highlight two themes currently under intense study. However, the group also engages in other areas through research contracts or theses, such as the analysis of internal flows in pipes and valves, including phase changes, jet propulsion system analysis, and aerodynamic analysis of motor vehicles or their components.
- Hypersonic Aerodynamics
The research focuses on the development of advanced methodologies for hypersonic aerodynamic analysis. This includes the analysis and implementation of non-equilibrium thermochemical models and transport models for multi-component reactive mixtures, with attention to gas/surface interaction and surface catalysis phenomena. We examine the thermal response of thermal protection systems, considering conjugate fluid/structure heat transfer, and study models for ablative materials and their interaction with the external aerodynamic field.
We use CFD tools, both internally developed and integrated into commercial codes, for the aerothermodynamic analysis of hypersonic flow fields on characteristic geometries such as atmospheric entry capsules, hypersonic propelled aircraft, and missiles. We explore the effect of plasma sheath production around a hypersonic vehicle on the quality of telecommunications to and from the object (black/out) and on the radar cross section (RCS) of the vehicle.
We address the optimization challenge of hypersonic aerodynamic configurations and study innovative thermal protection configurations, such as inflatable or deployable thermal protection systems.
People: Domenic D'ambrosio
- Analysis and Aerodynamic Optimization of Rotors in Low Reynolds Number Regime through CFD
The research activity focuses on the analysis and aerodynamic optimization of rotors in low Reynolds number conditions and their interaction with the rest of the aircraft. Applications include very small-scale helicopters and multicopters, medium-sized multicopters in high-altitude flight, and flight in the Martian atmosphere. Flying under low and ultra-low Reynolds number conditions poses an aerodynamic challenge recently addressed, leading to the design of wing profiles and rotor shapes different from the traditional ones. Flight conditions in the Martian atmosphere are even more challenging, as, in addition to the low Reynolds number, the speed of sound is lower than on Earth, resulting in ease of reaching the transonic regime, and the atmospheric density is very low, requiring significant design effort to achieve reasonable thrust at a bearable energy cost.
People: Domenic D'ambrosio and Manuel Carreno