Current research being undertaken in the department includes consideration of station-keeping for UAVs under windy conditions. One possible design involves an octocopter (8 rotors) with these tilted by angles up to 45 degrees. This project will look at the interaction between pairs of rotors under such conditions. The interactions between the rotors and the influence of the wind will be considered. This will require an extension of the work begun by students in 2017. It is anticipated that the experimental rig will include two 6-component force balances, which will be tested both in the laboratory and in the wind tunnel.
Undergraduate
Improved understanding of the forces created by UAV rotors under various conditions with the aim of improving the design of such craft.
Enrollment in MECHENG 712 would be an advantage.
Aerodynamics Lab (Newmarket 901 Lvl5, Lab)