Unsteady flow diagnostics laboratory (UNFoLD)

Our lab specialises in the experimental measurements, analysis, and modelling of unsteady vortex-dominated flow phenomena, with applications in bio-inspired propulsion, wind turbine rotor blade aerodynamics, and gust interactions. Our research focuses on unfolding the origin and development of unsteady flow separation and vortex formation and we have built a reputation for carefully designed and precisely controlled experiments, high quality temporally and spatially resolved flow field experiments using particle image velocimetry combined with synchronised measurements of the technically relevant quantities, such as aerodynamic forces or power output, exploratory data analyses to bridge the gap between our observations and understanding of the development and interaction of vortices, and the technically relevant quantities, and a particular focus on the extraction of relevant time scales describing the successive events in an unsteady flow response.