Research Subcategory

Passive Surface Shaping and Boundary-Layer Control

This research explores how carefully chosen passive geometric changes can reshape the surface flow and wake of a wing without relying on powered actuation. The work spans segmented trailing-edge extensions, chordwise slots, curved boundary-layer fences, surface contours, and airfoil-preserved undulations, all aimed at altering how vorticity forms, convects, and organizes itself around the wing. Taken together, the studies show that passive modifications can influence both parasite drag and induced drag by changing separation behavior, spanwise flow feeding into the wingtip vortex, and the structure of the downstream wake.

Infographic

Research infographic

NotebookLM-generated infographic and video assets for this research subcategory. Click any image to open the full-size file, or play videos directly on the page.

Unlocking Aerodynamic Efficiency
Wing Aerodynamics Optimization Research infographic
Wing Aerodynamics Optimization Research
Contributors

Students who contributed to this work

Students connected to the publications and projects represented on this page.

Rachael Supina
Contributor

Rachael Supina

Publications

Research publications in this area

Publication entries include citation details and student contributors where available.

Aerospace 05 00089

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation
  • Aerospace 05 00089. 2018.

Effect Of Segmented Trailing Edge Extensions In Aerodynamic Efficiency

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation
  • Effect Of Segmented Trailing Edge Extensions In Aerodynamic Efficiency. 2018.

Effect Of Chordwise Slots On Aerodynamic Efficiency

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation
  • Effect Of Chordwise Slots On Aerodynamic Efficiency. 2018.

Affecting Aerodynamic Efficiency by Influencing Wing Surface- Flow Direction

Students
Citation
  • Gunasekaran, Sidaard and Nathan Thomas. "Affecting Aerodynamic Efficiency by Influencing Wing Surface- Flow Direction." 2018 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA 2018-0344. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-0344

Effect of Airfoil- Preserved Undulations on Wing Performance

Students
Citation
  • Loughnane, Faith A., Rachael Supina, Michael P. Mongin, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Effect of Airfoil- Preserved Undulations on Wing Performance." In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum, p. 1784. 2020. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1784

Effect Of Curved Boundary Layer Fences On Aerodynamic Efficiency

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation
  • Effect Of Curved Boundary Layer Fences On Aerodynamic Efficiency. 2019.

Preprints201807.0028.V1

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation
  • Preprints201807.0028.V1. 2018.