Characterization, Optimization and Application of Leading-Edge Tubercle Wings

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Leading-edge tubercles are aerodynamic devices biologically inspired from the morphology of hump-back whale fins. In the case of whales, the fin tubercles appear to be a functional adaptation which allow it to enhance turning maneuverability during prey capture. For conventional wings, tubercles on the leading-edge act as passive flow-control devices. Initial empirical evidence has shown potential benefits of tubercle leading-edge wings to delay stall and improve post-stall characteristics. The shape and placement of the tubercles along a wing leading edge, expressed in terms of tubercle wavelength and amplitude, seem to play a critical role on its aerodynamic performance. To date however, significant challenges worthy of further study remain in understanding the sensitivity of tubercle shape and placement parameters to the flow of finite span wings in the subsonic to transonic flow regimes and in the design and application of this bioinspired devices. The project aims to gain additional knowledge on the fluid dynamics behaviour of leading edge tubercles through wind-tunnel testing and flow visualization. It also aims to develop analysis and design approaches to optimize the shape of this devices and explore their potential applications. In particular, the project will explore potential gains of applying tubercles to enhanced low speed, high angle of attack and turning performance for unmanned aerial vehicles as well as mitigate large induced angle of attack and dynamic stall interactions for vertical axis wind-turbines which can improve their energy extractions. Moreover the project will provide training for students in the areas of experimental and computational fluid mechanics, applied aerodynamics, design synthesis and numerical optimization.