Drag reduction has long been studied as a way to decrease viscous effects and allow objects moving through air or water to operate more efficiently. A key component in drag reduction is the boundary layer, the thin layer of fluid that touches the surface of an object and has high viscous effects. The ability to have more control over the boundary layer and prevent or minimize the effects of turbulence and flow separation is the ultimate goal of drag reduction. Biomimetics, specifically the motion of fish, has presented possible solutions to improve boundary layer control. This project intends to use embedded actuators and novel manufacturing techniques to explore the feasibility of introducing standing waves in the boundary layer as a way of improving the performance of hydrofoils.

Fluid dynamics has been a growing area of interest for me because it is a relevant subject in so many fields, and yet there is still uncertainty about how exactly fluids work. The opportunity to delve deeper into this field while also utilizing my skills as a mechanical engineer through SuperUROP is an amazing opportunity.