Experimental Aerodynamics
Wind tunnels, diffuser flow, flow straighteners, smoke visualization, and pressure loss studies.
San Luis Obispo, California
Hands-on aerospace research for controlled flows, propulsion, and thermal systems.
We design accessible experimental platforms that let students study fluid mechanics, propulsion, heat transfer, and compressible flow through real hardware, real data, and careful measurement — not just simulation.
Featured Project
VortexField — a 32-fan modular open-jet wind wall for controlled inflow generation, with PWM control and wireless GUI operation.
Meet the Pod
From first splash to first flight test.
Highly trained, barely supervised: our mascot traces the same arc every member of the lab walks — curiosity, training, credentialed skill, and calm, focused research.
5Active research projects
8Student and faculty contributors
3Research areas: aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal systems
Research Highlights
Three areas of focus.
Every project in the archive falls under one of these themes, each built around low-cost, high-fidelity hardware that students design, build, and instrument themselves.
Propulsion Testing
Low Reynolds number propeller measurements, BEMT validation, thrust, torque, power, and efficiency.
Thermal Systems
Radiation and convection experiments connecting surface properties to measurable heat transfer.
Recent Work
Featured research projects
Research Output
Featured publications
Downloadable project reports documenting methodology, apparatus design, and results.