Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics research is directed toward a better understanding of the fundamental laws governing the flow of fluids. Research topics of recent interest include: numerical methods in aerodynamics; computational fluid mechanics; separated flow around wings and bodies at high angles of attack; aerodynamics of rotors and propellers; boundary layers, wakes and jets in V/STOL applications and aerodynamic noise; experimental measurements using laser systems; laminar-turbulent transition in high-speed boundary layers.

Purdue is the world leader in researching laminar-turbulent transition in hypersonic flows: We are home to the Mach 6 quiet wind tunnel; the upcoming home of the Mach 8 quiet wind tunnel and HYPULSE shock tunnel; the lead institution on a HPCMP Frontier Project on that topic with the Department of Defense; we have major participation in hypersonic flight testing; and we're home to a critical mass of experienced researchers working in that area.

Faculty

Meet our Aerodynamics Faculty

Facilities

BOEING/AFOSR MACH-6 QUIET TUNNEL

Ludwieg tube with a 9.5-inch Mach-6 quiet-flow test section. Instrumentation is specialized for study of laminar-turbulent instability and transition, and includes high-speed hot wires, fast-response pressure transducers, hot-film arrays and anemometers, a high-sensitivity laser-differential interferometer, a glow-discharge perturber, and a pulsed laser perturber.

More about the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel:

Vacuum Technology Lab
Vacuum Technology Lab

The High-Vacuum Facility offers a wide range of vacuum, thermal and micropropulsion test capabilities including micro-Newton force measurement for microthruster testing.

More about the Vacuum Technology Lab

LyoHUB Laboratory
Vacuum Technology Lab

The goal of Advanced Lyophilization Technology Hub (LyoHub) is to advance the science and technology of freeze-drying/lyophilization. LyoHub’s members include companies in the pharmaceutical and food processing sectors, equipment manufacturers and university researchers, who combine their expertise and resources to accomplish the goal. Immediate objectives are: (i) to identify and disseminate Best Practices for lyophilization equipment performance, testing and validation and (ii) to conduct applied research to advance lyophilization processes and products.

More about the LyoHUB Laboratory

  • Lead Professor: Alina Alexeenko
  • Location: BRK 2261
  • Lyostar freeze-dryer
  • FreezeBoost controlled nucleation technology
  • Lab Website
Aerospace Two-Phase Flow Lab
Aerospace Two-Phase Flow Lab

Development of experiments for the study of basic fluid physics and for spaceflight technology advancement of systems which rely on two-phase, that is both liquid and gas, flow systems in space.

More about the Aerospace Two-Phase Flow Lab

  • Lead Professor: Steven Collicott
  • Location: ARMS 3191/ARMS B195
  • Allows for the study of the effects of microgravity on combustion/fluid dynamics
Plasma and Flow Visualization Lab

Experimental studies of transient plasma discharges and development of plasma actuators for flow and combustion control.

More about the Plasma and Flow Visualization Lab

Electric Propulsion and Plasma Lab
Electric Propulsion and Plasma Lab

The Electric Propulsion and Plasma Laboratory (EPPL) conducts research is various areas of experimental plasma science and engineering - with a special emphasis on diagnostics and applications of plasmas to electric propulsion, combustion, flow control, and biomedical engineering.

More about the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel

Boeing Compressible-Flow Laboratory
Boeing Compressible-Flow Laboratory

Three small high-speed facilities: 2-inch blowdown tunnel; A one-inch supersonic jet apparatus; and a 3-inch shock tube.

More about the Boeing Compressible-Flow Laboratory

  • Lead Professor:Sally Bane
  • Location: AERO (ASL) 29A
  • 2-inch blowdown tunnel
  • 1-inch supersonic jet apparatus
  • 3-inch shock tube
  • Also includes Boeing/AFOSR MACH-6 Quiet Tunnel
  • Lab Website
Small Experimental Tunnels
Small Experimental Tunnels

Three small low-speed wind tunnels are available. One has an 18-inch diameter test section, and the other two have test sections of 12 by 18 inches. A water tunnel is also available, with a 15x20-inch test section. Several small calibration tunnels are also available.

More about the Small Experimental Tunnels Lab

  • Lead Professor: Joseph Jewell
  • Location: AERO (ASL)
  • 18-inch diameter test section
  • 12" X 18" test sections (X2)
  • 15" X 20" water tunnel
  • Several small calibration tunnels
  • Lab Website
Boeing 4' x 6' Subsonic Tunnel
Boeing Subsonic Tunnel

Large subsonic wind tunnel with two test sections -- a closed 4-by-6 foot section with model mounting provisions and a long test section adapted for high-lift research. The first test section is equipped with a three-component balance system.

More about the Boeing Subsonic Tunnel: