Project Description: Issues of low-frequency unsteadiness and localized regions of elevated surface heat transfer are persistent challenges in the design of modern supersonic/hypersonic flight vehicles, typically requiring excessive weight to mitigate against potentially catastrophic failure, limiting vehicle performance. Similar flow features have also been observed at subsonic speeds, suggesting that the root mechanisms are active across a far-greater range of flow environments than has previously been expected.
This project is part of a synergistic experimental-computational investigation spanning low- and high-speed flows to examine these phenomena across a range of flow states (laminar, transitional, turbulent). The experimental test campaigns will rely on various state-of-the art facilities (subsonic, supersonic, hypersonic) located at the University of Arizona and involve characterization of 2D canonical geometries using a wide variety of diagnostic techniques.
NASA Relevance: The research explores fundamental aspects of gas dynamics related to low- and high-speed flight. This aligns with the focus areas of the NASA Aerospace Research Mission Directorate in enabling high-speed commercial flight.
Work Description: The intern will be an integral member of the research team. Their main tasks would relate to the design, manufacture, and assembly of various wind tunnel model components with analysis of their eventual test. Experiments will be conducted in a range of wind tunnels that the intern will support operation and data acquisition.
Open or Reserved Project: 1 position reserved, but will consider new student if requested student not awarded.