My research focuses on the experimental exploration of flow-acoustic interactions to discover new energy transfer and propulsion mechanisms. We investigate the performance and resonant behavior of synthetic jet actuators (SJAs), combining fundamental design and experimentation to reveal previously undescribed characteristics. In parallel, we study Helmholtz oscillators not only as sound sinks for acoustic control but also as energy transformers capable of converting sound into momentum and vice versa. This knowledge guides our efforts to develop SJA-based propulsion systems, with applications spanning aerospace engineering and aquatic locomotion. We also explore propulsion in intermediate Reynolds regimes, inspired by the contrast between biological swimmers and artificial propellers, to identify optimal configurations that span these scales. Finally, our group is committed to developing low-cost experimental equipment, including high-speed visualization lasers and affordable Schlieren, PIV, and shadowgraph systems, to expand access to advanced diagnostics in acoustics and fluid mechanics.
We study the performance and resonant dynamics of self-adjusting actuators (SJAs) using a combination of advanced optical diagnostics and custom-designed prototypes. Our experiments aim to uncover previously undescribed resonant behaviors resulting from the coupling between cavity geometry, actuation frequency, and flow inertia. By systematically exploring these parameters, we seek to improve the efficiency and control authority of the actuators, as well as establish the experimental foundation necessary for predictive modeling of SJA performance.
Helmholtz oscillators are traditionally known as sound absorbers used in acoustic panels to attenuate low-frequency noise. In our work, we explore them from a new perspective: as bidirectional energy transformers capable of converting acoustic energy into fluid momentum and vice versa. Through controlled experiments, we investigate the principles governing this transformation, aiming to derive the rules that define the efficiency and directionality of the process. This knowledge could enable new approaches to flow control and energy harvesting based on acoustic-fluidic coupling.
Beyond fundamental studies, we are developing practical applications of SJAs for propulsion. These actuators, which generate fluid motion without adding net mass, offer promising alternatives to conventional propellers in compact or low-speed environments. Our current work explores their potential for aerospace propulsion, such as micro aerial vehicles, and for underwater locomotion, including small autonomous drones. By optimizing the geometry and resonance of the actuators, we aim to design efficient and adjustable thrust sources adaptable to multiple engineering contexts.
In nature, small organisms are efficiently propelled at very low Reynolds numbers using long, flexible appendages, while engineered systems rely on short, rigid propellers optimized for high Reynolds regimes. Our research studies the propulsion mechanisms that operate between these extremes, where no single strategy is entirely effective. By studying the fluid-structure interactions that govern thrust generation in this intermediate regime, we aim to identify scaling laws and geometric principles that could guide the design of novel propulsion systems bridging biological and artificial paradigms.
A key aspect of our work is the design and construction of affordable, high-performance diagnostic tools for fluid mechanics and experimental acoustics. We have developed a custom imaging laser that enables high-speed imaging at up to 20,000 frames per second, and we are currently developing prototypes of low-cost Schlieren, PIV, and shadowgraph systems. These tools not only support our own research but also aim to democratize access to advanced experimental techniques, facilitating high-quality measurements in resource-constrained laboratories.
We wish to study the formation and stability of convection cells in Rijke tubes, combining theoretical modeling and numerical simulations to understand how geometry and boundary conditions influence flow organization. Our goal is to identify the conditions under which different numbers of convection cells emerge and evolve—such as the four- and eight-cell patterns described in the literature—including asymmetric configurations where one pair of cells predominates over its neighbors. While this work is currently primarily computational, we are developing visualization and measurement techniques to experimentally capture these structures in the near future, linking numerical predictions with observable flow behavior.
In this line, we developed an experimental system that emulates the ejection of fragments as occurs in active volcanoes, exploring the physical processes that govern the expulsion and dispersion of material in fluid media. We used a resonant bowl containing water that generates Faraday waves, from which droplets are emitted at the system's antinodes, reproducing in a controlled manner the fragmentation and ejection dynamics observed in volcanic eruptions. To characterize the process, we employed high-speed cameras, particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV), and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), techniques that allow us to precisely measure the size, velocity, and energy distributions of the ejected droplets. This experimental and stochastic approach seeks to understand the mechanisms of ejection and atomization in resonant systems, with applications in geophysics, fluid dynamics, and complex systems.
In addition, we are exploring topics such as:
Simplified dynamics of double reeds (non-linear acoustics)
Impact of viscoelastic particles at high speed