Facilities in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Experience World-Class Facilities
Our department is one of the largest at Clarkson. We have several mechanical and aerospace research facilities and labs, including our small wind Blade Test Facility (one of only three in the nation), a flight simulator and a wind tunnel (where the U.S. luge team has tested their sled aerodynamics before the Winter Olympics).
Wind Tunnel Lab
Our wind tunnel lab houses low- and high-speed subsonic wind tunnels. Both tunnels feature a three-foot-by-four-foot test section. The high-speed tunnel can reach speeds of 175 mph, and the low-speed tunnel, equipped with a HEPA filter on the contraction, can reach speeds up to 30 mph. The low-speed tunnel simulates atmospheric conditions for the development of new tools in modeling, measurement and flow management. The high-speed tunnel is used primarily for force measurements on flight and ground vehicles.
Turbulence and Multiphase Flow Laboratory (TMFL)
A virtual lab with main computer facilities managed by Prof. Goodarz Ahmadi, the primary objective of the TMFL is to provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms that control turbulent multiphase flows, including the transport, deposition and removal of particulate matter. The primary objective is to develop predictive models for the behavior of dilute and dense turbulent multiphase flows (including aerosols and granular flows). The other main goal is to provide a detailed understanding of the effect of particle shape and size on particle deposition and removal, as well as the dynamics of multiphase systems.
Connective Tissue Mechanics Laboratory
Managed by Prof. Arthur J. Michalek, this laboratory is used for experimental investigation into the structure, function and composition of various musculature connective tissues, including ligament, meniscus and intervertebral disc. The laboratory is equipped with dedicated workspaces for specimen preparation, biochemistry/histological staining, mechanical testing and instrument prototyping/development. Instrumentation includes a cryostat for preparing thin tissue sections and an inverted microscope with brightfield, phase contrast, epifluorescence and polarized light capabilities. Functional measurements are performed using a constant force creep indenter for testing the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues and a system for measuring pressurization and relaxation during fluid injection protocols.
Shear Flow Water Tunnel
Managed by Prof. Douglas Bohl, the Shear Flow Water Tunnel is a unique water tunnel that allows for non-uniform velocity profiles to be generated in the test section. Two pumps are used to provide independently controlled free streams that combine into a shear layer at the start of the test section. The test section (20 cm x 20 cm x 150 cm) allows for experiments in the developing shear layer or in the fully developed region where the velocity profile varies linearly. The slope of the linear profile is fully adjustable. The test section is optically accessible, and the lab is equipped for optical measurements using Molecular Tagging Velocimetry (MTV), Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF).
Fluid-Acoustic-STructure (FAST) Lab
Directed by Prof. Byron D. Erath, this lab investigates multi-physics problems that arise in nature. While broadly encompassing the field of fluid mechanics, the primary research focus seeks to advance the understanding of laryngeal aerodynamics to improve diagnosis and treatment methods for vocal pathologies, as well as to discover novel biometric markers in speech.
Holistic Structural Integrity Process (HolSIP) Lab
Managed by Prof. Marcias Martinez, this lab is dedicated to the understanding of failure mechanisms of structural aerospace materials and the development of smart material technology in the fields of morphing, SHM and experimental mechanic techniques.
The Aerosol Instrumentation Research lab (AIRlab)
Managed by Prof. Suresh Dhaniyala, the AIRlab is focused on improving the understanding of indoor and outdoor air quality through the development of novel measurement and analytical techniques for the characterization of ambient and atmospheric aerosol. The specific research areas of focus include the development of novel low-cost aerosol sensors; advanced data analytics for sensor networks; building automation for indoor air quality, indoor/outdoor bioaerosol characterization; fundamental studies of aerosol turbulent transport and aerosol/gas sampling from high-speed aircraft. The AIRlab houses advanced instruments for aerosol generation, sizing, collection, characterization and modification. Additionally, the AIRlab operates large indoor and outdoor sensor networks with advanced cloud-based data collection and analytics for use in indoor-outdoor air pollution exposure studies.
Faculty Affiliations
Many of our mechanical and aerospace engineering faculty are affiliated with research centers such as the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP), the Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Sciences (CAARES), the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR), the Shipley Center for Innovation, the Center for Rehabilitation Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) and the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2).