Wake Structure and Efficiency Correlations

This research investigates aerodynamic efficiency through the wake rather than through force coefficients alone. Using time-resolved and planar particle image velocimetry, the work examines how momentum deficit, vorticity, turbulent fluctuations, Reynolds stresses, and shear-layer organization evolve behind wings and airfoils as operating condition changes. A consistent result across near-wake and far-wake studies is that efficient operating states leave a distinct flow signature: around maximum aerodynamic efficiency, the wake becomes quieter, more ordered, and less turbulent than it is on either side of that condition.

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.

Decoding Aerodynamic Efficiency From Wakes infographic — Decoding Aerodynamic Efficiency From Wakes

Decoding Aerodynamic Efficiency Through Wakes infographic — Decoding Aerodynamic Efficiency Through Wakes

Decoding the Wake

Decoding Wing Performance From Turbulence infographic — Decoding Wing Performance From Turbulence

Contributors

Students who contributed to this work

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

Contributor

Steven Goodman

View profile

Contributor

Rachel Sharp

View profile

Publications

Research publications in this area

Publication entries include citation details and student contributors where available.

Energies 14 03641 V2

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation

Energies 14 03641 V2. 2021.

On the Near Wake Turbulent Flow Properties of the SD7003 Airfoil

Students

Steven Goodman

Citation

Goodman, Steven, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Aaron Altman, and Albert Medina. "On the Near Wake Turbulent Flow Properties of the SD7003 Airfoil." In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum, p. 0073. 2019. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-0073

Better Insight Into The Wingtip Vortex Free Shear Layer Interaction

Students

Student contributors are listed where available.

Citation

Better Insight Into The Wingtip Vortex Free Shear Layer Interaction. 2017.

Airfoil Near Wake Turbulent Properties at Maximum Aerodynamic Efficiency Condition

Students

Rachel Sharp

Citation

Gunasekaran, Sidaard, and Rachel Sharp. "Airfoil Near Wake Turbulent Properties at Maximum Aerodynamic Efficiency Condition." In AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, p. 1848. 2021. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-1848