A Local Connection

When most people think of aerospace engineering, they picture jet engines, spacecraft, or flight simulations—not eroding streambanks. For AEM senior Justin Bunting, a passion for the outdoors and a lucky research opportunity led to a project that bridges environmental science and engineering in an unexpected way.

Bunting’s research began when his faculty advisor, Associate Professor Melissa Green, initiated a collaboration with the renowned St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. Through conversations with Jessica Kozarek, who leads the Outdoor Stream Lab, an idea emerged: use the aerospace study of fluid mechanics to investigate how reed canary grass, an aggressive invasive species native to Minnesota, contributes to streambank erosion. Bunting was intrigued. “The more I delved into it, the more I thought that this could actually be something really interesting,” he said.

The core of the research involves modeling a streambank in a controlled lab setting, using simulated vegetation to understand how the presence—or absence—of reed canary grass alters water flow and erosion patterns. It’s a unique approach in a space that typically relies on large-scale fieldwork.

Designing the testing apparatus was a major undertaking. “That took me a long time,” Bunting explained. “I had a couple different iterations, built a CAD model, and worked out how to make it modular—adjustable angles, insertable vegetation, and even curved sections.” Funding initially looked uncertain, but then came a surprise boost: the George Oswald Research Scholarship, which allowed the team to bring the design to life.

With the setup complete, Bunting began experimentation using two sophisticated techniques: acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). 

Early tests have already revealed intriguing trends. Without vegetation, the flow behaves predictably, circulating toward the bank and most likely eroding it. However, when reed canary grass is introduced the water is forced outward, curling in ways that suggest the invasive may actually accelerate erosion—and prevent the bank from naturally recovering its shape.

Long-term, the research could have significant environmental impact. Reed canary grass is spreading rapidly across North America, aided by waterborne transmission and human activity. Understanding how it interacts with stream systems could inform better conservation practices and erosion control strategies. “We don’t want natural stream mechanics altered by an invasive,” Bunting noted. “Protecting these systems matters.”

The project highlights applications of aerospace engineering that can be used to solve problems outside the typical field of study. “I’ve always loved the outdoors,” Bunting said. “I never expected my aerospace degree would put me on a project like this, but it ended up being the perfect blend.”

Beyond the science, the project has also been a crash course in hands-on experimentation, CAD modeling, field research, and academic writing. “Experimentation is a beast,” Bunting remarked. “But I’ve learned so much—about design, about precision, and about how to tackle real-world problems.”

The project has set the stage for more long-term research to be conducted, and Bunting looks forward to seeing what the future holds.