Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Unsteady vortex dominated flows
- Experimental aerodynamics
- Flow diagnostics
Current research
Swathi's group focusses on the physics of unsteady, vortex-dominated flows and their impact on sustainable and efficient engineering designs.
Current projects fall under the umbrella of experimental unsteady fluid-structure interactions with applications to aeronautical and marine technologies. Projects include the aerodynamics of vertical axis turbines, propeller-wing interactions on novel VTOL aircraft configurations, aero/hydrodynamics of morphing wings, and effect of bio-inspired corrugations on a wing's aerodynamic performance.
The PhD, MSc, and undergraduate students working with Swathi use the state-of-the-art facilities available at University of Southampton such as the recirculating water channel, wind tunnels, static tanks, and several stand-alone experimental rigs to carry out cutting-edge research in the above-mentioned fields. Her group is particularly geared towards building complex robotic systems, often drawing inspiration from nature. They combine moving objects, fluids, experimental techniques, and advanced flow diagnostics to understand the physics, which then feeds into engineering design and optimisation problems.