Aerospace engineering open house to feature interactive exhibits, cutting-edge research

Want to view a shock wave demonstration, learn more about 3-D printing and its impact on aerospace engineering, have an up-close look at Auburn University’s wind tunnels, or even pilot a lifelike flight simulator?

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Department of Aerospace Engineering provides guests, alumni and students, with these opportunities -- and more -- at its annual open house, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I am really proud of the growth and development that has taken place in the department over the last several years,” said Brian Thurow, aerospace engineering department chair. “The open house provides us with a great opportunity to share these advances with the public. This event will consist of tours of several new state-of-the-art laboratories, hands-on demonstrations and the opportunity to meet with students and faculty. In addition, this is the Friday of homecoming weekend, so there will be plenty of other things taking place around campus as well as the opportunity to take in a home football game.”

The open house takes guests on guided tours from Davis Hall, the hub of aerospace engineering at Auburn University, into the Gavin Laboratory, and the new, 8,000-square foot laboratory space in the Brown-Kopel Center.

Tour stops include visits with:

• The Applied Fluids Research Group (Assistant Professor Vrishank Raghav)
• Additive manufacturing laboratory for a 3-D printer demonstration (Lecturer Eldon Triggs)
• Mechanics of materials laboratory (Assistant Professor Vinamra Agrawal)
• Vortex dynamics laboratory for a water tunnel demonstration (Professor Anwar Ahmed)
• Rotorcraft test stand (Assistant Professor Vrishank Raghav)
• Space technology application research laboratory (Assistant Professor Masatoshi Hirabayashi)
• Aero-propulsion related systems modeling, simulation and optimization (Professor Roy Hartfield)
• Advanced propulsion research laboratory (Professor Joseph Majdalani)
• Aerospace student projects laboratory, (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA Design and Fly, Auburn University Rocketry Association, and NASA 2020 Big Idea Challenge team)
• Polymer mechanics research laboratory for self-folding origami demonstration (Assistant Professor Russell Mailen)
• Vehicle systems, dynamics and design laboratory (Assistant Professor Imon Chakraborty)
• Immersive, interactive, intelligent space dynamics laboratory (Assistant Professor Davide Guzzetti)
• Wind tunnel for shock wave demonstration (Professor Anwar Ahmed)
• Advanced Flow Diagnostics Laboratory (Professor Brian Thurow)
• Drone flight demonstration (Assistant Professor Ehsan Taheri)

Aside from gaining access to some of the aerospace engineering department’s cutting-edge research facilities, participants will have opportunities to meet with a representative from the college’s recruitment team for further information about admissions and scholarships.

Don’t delay! Confirm your intention to attend by completing this short survey: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8xjidEEX6Q9rgPQ

Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

For further information, contact Rob Kulick, coordinator, student services for aerospace engineering, at (334) 844-6869 or kulicro@auburn.edu