College of EngineeringDepartment of Aerospace EngineeringResearch

Research

Aerospace Labs allow students to have hands-on learning experiences and faculty and graduate students to conduct experiments related to their research. Recently with the addition of several new faculty, the department is actively establishing new laboratories in a variety of areas.

Materials and Structures

Mechanics of Materials ( Dr. Vinamra Agrawal)

This laboratory focuses on understanding material response in dynamic environments, designing advanced materials by engineering at the microscale, developing multifunctional materials with desired properties targeted towards damage mitigation and energy harvesting. Positions are available for students with interest and background in solid mechanics and materials science.

Multifunctional Material Lab (MML) ( Dr. Asha-Dee Celestine )

Research in MML focuses on the development and characterization of novel multifunctional materials for a wide range of structural applications including aerospace, marine, energy, and biomedicine. We employ both experimental and computational techniques to create the next generation of intelligent materials. Positions are available for graduate students, with a background in experimental solid mechanics, interested in the development and characterization of multifunctional materials

Polymer Mechanics Research Lab ( Dr. Russell Mailen ) - This lab conducts basic and applied research related to polymers and polymer composites, including shape memory polymers and multifunctional materials. Computational and experimental research opportunities are available for students with an interest in finite element analysis, composite fabrication, and polymer characterization.

Advanced Materials and Processing Lab (AMPL) ( Prof. Suhasini Gururaja ) - Our lab is primarily interested in understanding the long-term sustainability of composite structures in relation to their processing and secondary manufacturing effects. Analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques are used in good measure to interrogate the behavior of composites under various thermomechanical loading. Positions are open for graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in composite processing, manufacturing, characterization, and analysis.

Space Sciences

Space Technology Application Research Lab, (STAR) ( Dr. Toshi Hirabayashi ) - This laboratory explores engineering and scientific problems in space to propose innovative technologies for space exploration missions, conducting interdisciplinary research.

Immersive, Interactive, Intelligent Space Dynamics（ Dr. Davide Guzzetti) - This laboratory is devoted to space mission design research with an emphasis on discovering synergies across disciplines that may fundamentally improve space systems or design processes for space exploration. Our current focus is on harnessing human-machine collaboration for astrodynamics and space applications; rethinking mission design processes in extended-reality; and developing more autonomous space systems.

Aero-Astro Computational and Experimental Lab ( Dr. Ehsan Taheri ) - The ACE Lab focuses on applying optimal control principles for solving control problems related to non-linear dynamical systems. The emphasis of our research is on closure of theory, computation and experimental aspects of Aerospace systems while developing rapid, dependable algorithms. We solve problems in the fields of 1) astrodynamics including low-thrust and impulsive orbital maneuvers and space trajectory design, and 2) atmospheric flight including trajectory design and control of unmanned aerial vehicles, launch vehicles, and planetary landing vehicles.

Fluid Dynamics, Aerodynamics, and Propulsion

Advanced Flow Diagnostics Laboratory ( Dr. Brian Thurow ) – This laboratory focuses on the development and application of high-speed, 3D flow diagnostics for applications involving unsteady, 3D flow fields including flapping wing flight, shock boundary layer interactions and combustion. Opportunities are available for students with an interest in optical diagnostics, 3D tomography and experimental fluid dynamics.

Aero-propulsion related systems modeling, simulation and optimization ( Dr. Roy Hartfield) – This laboratory focuses on the development of models for aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and vehicle properties with the aim of producing models of systems which are of sufficient fidelity to be useful in trade and performance studies while maintaining sufficient computational efficiencies to be of practical use for large numbers of simulations.

Applied Fluids Research Group ( Dr. Vrishank Raghav ) – This laboratory focuses on the application of fluid dynamics and experimental techniques to solve challenges in aerospace and biomedical engineering. In aerospace engineering we are interested understanding - helicopter and wind turbine aeromechanics and rotary UAVs; biomedical engineering applications include cardiovascular and respiratory flows.

Combustion Physics Lab ( Dr. David Scarborough) – The primary focus of the research is to understand combustion instability problems which exist in a large variety of applications. Through understanding how the acoustic and heat release processes interact with each other, the ultimate goal is to further understand the combustion process. The current projects are highly diverse, with current studies focused on topics ranging from Liquid Rocket Engine combustion to wildland fire mitigation research.

Vortex Dynamics and Basic Fluid Flows ( Dr. Anwar Ahmed ) – Research in the lab utilizes a water tunnel and wind tunnel with emphasis on vortical flows of bluff body wakes, jets and unsteady aerodynamics of delta wings, synthetic jets and flow control. Aero-optics of boundary layers in compressible and incompressible flows is also of interest.

Advanced Propulsion Research Laboratory ( Dr. Joseph Majdalani ) – This laboratory focuses on the development and application of mathematical modeling and simulation techniques to improve the performance and stability of large combustors and propulsive systems with special emphasis on swirl-driven liquid and hybrid rocket engines. Other areas include internal flowfield and combustion instability analyses of solid rocket motors. We are presently engaged in modeling wall-bounded cyclonic flowfields, acoustic instability, and upper stage vortex rocket engines. Opportunities are available for students interested in mathematical and computational modeling of simulated rocket systems.

Computational Fluids Group ( Dr. Nek Sharan ) - This group develops computational methods and models for turbulent mixing, combustion, and fluid-structure interaction simulations with applications in aerodynamics and propulsion. Other topics of interest include integration of data-driven methods with high-performance computing to enhance flow predictions and to formulate reduced-order representations. The research uses parallel numerical solvers/codes that are run on state-of-the-art supercomputers. Opportunities are available for students interested in numerical methods, parallel programming, and fluid flow physics.

Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design

Vehicle Systems, Dynamics, and Design Lab (VSD2L) ( Dr. Imon Chakraborty) – Research in this lab focuses on (i) modeling, simulation, and analysis of various vehicle systems, (ii) modeling, simulation, and analysis of overall vehicle flight dynamics, and (iii) sizing and performance tradeoffs related to the early design phases of aerospace vehicles. Funding opportunities are available for qualified and motivated graduate students interested in actively pursuing research in the above areas. Motivated undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience are also strongly encouraged to get in touch.

Extended Reality Flight Simulation and Control Lab ( Dr. Umberto Saetti) – This laboratory merges technologies in Mixed Reality (MR), full-body haptic suits, and motion-base systems for creating immersive, Extended Reality (XR) piloted flight simulations. Multiple simulation units are networked to enable multi-pilot/aircraft simulations Research topics include human-machine interaction, innovative pilot cueing methods, and development of advanced flight control laws. Funding opportunities are available for students with an interest aerospace vehicles modeling and simulation, flight dynamics and control, system identification, and scientific programming.

AE Day 2021

AE Day 2021 ( Event Timeline) – The purpose of this event is to initiate and nurture a regular dialog between Auburn University Aerospace Engineering Faculty and Government/Industry Representatives around the country. This is an annual event where attendees will not only learn about the cutting-edge research taking place at Auburn University, but also have the opportunity to provide constructive feedback to help guide the future direction of the department. The 2021 AE Day will take place virtually on Friday, April 9, 2021 over zoom.