Project Description: The Arizona Polysonic Wind Tunnel (largest of its type at any US university) has recently been upgraded to include hardware (at cost of ~$2M) to perform tests near the speed of sound, known as the transonic flow regime. Testing in this environment is exceptionally challenging due to shock wave reflections inside the test section and blockage factors having a major role in directing test approaches. The intern will lead the effort to perform initial testing in the new facility and measure calibration data to inform the appropriate facility operation strategy for years to come. Diagnostics may include use of: pressure tranducers, thermocouples, schlieren imaging, and pressure sensative film.
NASA Relevance: NASA has long investigated flight in the transonic flow regime and this remains a major focus. Such facilities are complex and rare, so establishing this capability at the University of Arizona would be a major national benefit to the field.
Work Description:
- Adapt existing facility control architecture to support the transonic test envelope
- Design supplemental calibration hardware required to extract necessary data
- Support execution of calibration test campagin
- Analyze data and document the calibrated flow environment
Open or Reserved Project: 1 position reserved, but mentor may consider new student if requested student not awarded.