Authors:

Karunmay Aggarwal

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About Paper:

This project presents the design and construction of an Active Turbulence Grid (ATG) for controlled turbulence generation in wind tunnel experiments. The ATG consists of a modular array of diamond-shaped vane elements, each actuated by high-speed servo motors that enable dynamic, programmable manipulation of airflow. Unlike traditional passive grids, which rely on fixed geometries to generate turbulence, this active system allows for real-time control of flow characteristics through adjustable frequency, amplitude, and phase of vane oscillations. This capability facilitates the creation of spatially and temporally varying turbulent conditions tailored to a wide range of flow regimes. The ATG is being developed not only as a general-purpose platform for fundamental turbulence research, aerodynamic testing of scale models, and validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, but also to support a parallel lab project focused on the aerodynamic performance of floating offshore wind turbines. These turbines must withstand and perform efficiently in naturally turbulent marine environments, and the ATG enables the controlled replication of such conditions for systematic testing. By integrating mechanical design, embedded systems, and fluid dynamics, this project provides a versatile and repeatable tool for advancing both basic research and applied engineering challenges in renewable energy. Katie Min:

Source:

Brown / SPRINT|Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA)

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Co-authors:

Karunmay Aggarwal