Research Fields
The study of Aerodynamics and Propulsion develops numerical and experimental methods and takes advantage of unique facilities to create new concepts and new understanding involving the motion and control of fluid flows and combustion phenomena for applications related to aviation, space and energy conversion.
Dynamics and Control studies analytical and computational methods, autonomous stability and control, controls, design, optimization, dynamics, guidance, human factors, human space flight systems, robotic systems, space situational awareness, systems, tensegrity and unmanned air vehicles.
Materials and Structures studies computational mechanics, damping, experimental solid mechanics, mechanics of composite materials, high temperature materials, meta materials, multifunctional materials, nano-mechanics, space suit design, structural design and optimization and wave propagation.
A new area under development to explore fundamental approaches to integrate the traditional disciplines of AERO, facilitate an infusion of Systems, Design and Human Integration into AERO courses, and provide an AERO focus on emerging national opportunities in systems engineering.