Top stories of 2022
Read on to discover the Aerospace Research Center’s top five most popular news stories from 2022 based on webpage clicks.
1. Buckeye drone team flies to first place in national competition
The Ohio State University uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) team – Buckeye Vertical – soared to first place in the Vertical Flight Society’s national Design-Build-Vertical Fly collegiate competition. In recognition of their achievement, the 18-member team from the College of Engineering took home $2,000 in prize money. “This is an incredible milestone for the Buckeye Vertical team,” said Adithya Ramaswami, team president and aerospace engineering student. “This is our second year competing, and the team is excited to have won first place. It is a testament to all the hard work everyone has put in this past year.”
2. Premier Honda wind tunnel advances key Ohio State aerodynamics research
Sleek and with wind speeds topping 190 mph, Honda recently unveiled a world-class facility – the Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO) wind tunnel – marking a new era in aerodynamics research opportunities for The Ohio State University. Through a strategic partnership agreement, Ohio State and Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA) have already begun engaging in multiple projects revolving around the new wind tunnel. “[W]e, The Ohio State University, are in a unique position to connect fundamental and applied automotive research and help Honda execute its long-term research strategy,” said Associate Professor Lian Duan, Ohio State College of Engineering Honda Chair in Transportation.
3. Ohio leading the way with new aircraft tracking system
As the number of drones grow, so do concerns about how to keep airspace safe for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Researchers from the center are involved in a major partnership with government, industry and other organizations to develop and deploy a “detect and avoid” system to track drones, as a public service, and keep them from colliding with aircraft that operate at lower altitudes. “The future is now, and this is just the latest chapter in Ohio’s storied history of pioneering flight technology,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “We have the ability, the knowledge, and the resources to be the top destination for this industry to thrive.”
4. Faculty spotlight: Professor Datta Gaitonde
In September we launched our new faculty spotlight series highlighting Aerospace Research Center core and associated faculty. Our first feature was Datta Gaitonde, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and director of the High-Fidelity Computational Multi-Physics Laboratory. The series explores advice for graduate students and a current research project in hypersonic flight. "Working with students to come up with new ideas and insights, and ultimately seeing their growth and success as professionals is by far the most rewarding part of my job," commented Gaitonde.
5. Faculty spotlight: Professor Jeffrey Bons
Momentum continues for our faculty feature series. November spotlighted Professor Jeffrey Bons from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and director of the Turbine Aerothermodynamics Lab. "I really enjoy having a job where we (my students and I) can ask questions and find answers," said Bons. "If we find something unexpected in our results, we don’t have to ask permission to spend time exploring it further…we just do it!" His interview includes how he chose his research field, a broad explanation of his investigations of dust particulate and gas turbines, and recommendations for students considering graduate work at the center.
