AEM Open House Recap

The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) recently hosted its annual Open House for incoming freshmen in the College of Science and Engineering. The event offered a glimpse into the AEM major, highlighting opportunities for research, advanced labs, and student groups.

Graduate students from the department hosted live demonstrations in several main labs: 

  • Fluid Mechanics Lab: Rafael Ribeiro showcased experimental studies on fluid dynamics, essential for aircraft and spacecraft design.

  • Extreme Materials Lab: Rushikesh Kabadi demonstrated materials experiments for high-stress aerospace environments.

  • ARDC Lab: Attendees explored the collaborative cable robot project, a hands-on venture involving both undergraduate and graduate students.

  • AEM Wind Tunnel: JJ Sordencillo gave a live demonstration, explaining how airflow simulation tests aircraft designs for aerodynamic efficiency.

  • AEM Solid Mechanics Lab: Vladimir Kornev presented a vibrating beam experiment that explores the mechanical properties of materials in various conditions.
View of vapor in wind tunnel.
Flow moving through a wind tunnel in the form of smoke.
Student pressing button on machine in lab.
Student pointing to data on screen in lab.
Student controlling cable-driven robot.
Photo of tape measures and system used to control the cable driven robot.
Balloon stack in a stairwell with students on either side.

 

Professor Flaten also hosted a ballooning exhibit for the Space Grant Consortium, offering high-altitude ballooning experiences tied to atmospheric science.

Current AEM students showcased their own projects, including James Johnson’s tabletop wind tunnel and Dan Reuter’s flight simulator, designed to teach students about flight dynamics.

The event also featured many of the department’s student groups, such as the AIAA CanSat group. The CanSat team competes in an annual competition that involves the design and building of model satellites that are launched to 700 meters and judged based on their descent. The Rocket Team was also present, a student group that designs and builds rockets, and competes in the annual Spaceport America Cup. Another student group that joined the event was the AIAA DBF group, a team that creates RC airplanes to compete in the annual Design-Build-Fly competition. The SmallSat team joined the Open House as well, a group that designs and builds small satellites.

The Open House provided incoming students a valuable insight into the cutting-edge research, innovation, and teamwork within aerospace engineering. Read more about the event in the most recent AEM magazine

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