Recent developments in small, powerful, and efficient flow control devices have made the application of active flow control systems on future aircraft a viable alternative.  Modern flow control effectors and techniques show promise for localized adaptive control of boundary layer separation, laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition, shear layer turbulence, and certain secondary flow features.  They may also be used to create ‘virtual’ aerodynamic surfaces that can be tailored to optimize performance over varying operating conditions, or to provide flight coordination and control.  To effectively use these devices in a system requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes research in sensor, fluid dynamics, and adaptive control technologies. 

Specific areas of interest include (1) new flow control techniques and actuator devices with expanded frequency range, greater amplitude, and improved adaptability; (2) control systems that optimize performance for specific applications; (3) numerical simulation and experimental validation of devices in relevant environments, to gain understanding of the relevant flow physics; (4) integration of existing devices into air vehicle systems; (5) laminar to turbulent transition modeling, prediction, and control; (6) flow control enabled flight control; (7) aero-structure-controls interactions; and (8) development of rapid flow control modeling methods that allow designers to include flow control technologies in design trade studies. Research could involve developing new flow control methodologies, database development, computational modeling, analytical modeling, and/or software integration.

 

key words

Boundary layer; Flow control; Active; Fluid dynamics; Drag; Transition; Lift; Airfoil; Wing; Design;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants