Stall Control

Fixed-wing Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) operate at low Reynolds numbers, hence these are prone to experience aerodynamic stall if operating at high angles of attack or when subjected to wind gusts. The use of Stall Control techniques in fixed-wing MAVs is aimed at extending their performance and flight envelope. The concept may also be applied to control dynamic stall in wind turbines aiming to improve their efficiency.

Aerodynamic Characteristics using Passive Stall Control:

Geometrical modifications to the leading edge of a fixed-wing MAV configuration provide improved aerodynamic performance at stalled operating conditions.

Numerical Simulations using Passive Stall Control:

Advanced Detached-Eddy Simulations are used for the detailed investigation of the flow field around the wing configurations operating at moderate to high angles of attack.

Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry using Passive Stall Control:

Detailed qualitative and quantitave analyses of the flow field around the wing configurations are obtained for a better understanding of measured aerodynamic characteristics as well as for improved computational modeling.

Dissertations:

• The Flying Saucer Concept for Micro Aerial Vehicles: Experimental Study, Msc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2021.
• The Flying Saucer Concept for Micro Aerial Vehicles: Computational Study, Msc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2021.
• Control of Dynamic Stall in a VAWT Using Blade Leading-Edge Protuberances, Msc. Thesis in Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2021.
• Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Flow-Induced Vibrations in Micro Aerial Vehicles, Msc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2019.
• Experimental and Computational Investigation of Hybrid Passive-Active Stall Control for Micro Aerial Vehicles, PhD. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2018.
• New Biomimetic Technologies for the Aerodynamics of Aerial Vehicles at Low Reynolds Number, PhD. Thesis in Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2018 (in Portuguese).
  
• Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Flow Control in Fixed-Wing Micro Aerial Vehicles, MSc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2016.
• Passive Stall Control in Micro Aerial Vehicles Using Sinusoidal Leading Edges: Computational Studies, MSc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2012 (in Portuguese).
• Passive Stall Control in Micro Aerial Vehicles Using Sinusoidal Leading Edges: Wind Tunnel Studies, MSc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2010 (in Portuguese).
• Pulsed Laminar Jets: Propulsive Characteristics, MSc. Thesis in Aerospace Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 2010 (in Portuguese).