ZigZAAAG specializes in the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic analysis of numerous applications of wings and blades. We examine the underlying flow phenomena of existing operational challenges to inspire novel designs and improved performance. Through the use of numerical and experimental techniques, our research works towards designs that are aerodynamically efficient, mitigate structural fatigue and produce minimal noise.
Our research applications include the following, with examples listed in order of increasing Reynolds Number:
Wind Turbines (WT)
Small WT
Onshore WT
Offshore WT
Floating Offshore WT
Rotorcraft
Martian Drones
Multi-rotor Drones
VTOL/Tiltrotor aircraft
Helicopters
Aircraft
UAV Glider
Solar Powered Aircraft
Light Aircraft
Commercial Aircraft
Our work to date has focused on the challenges of operating at low Reynolds numbers, where a laminar separation bubble (LSB) has a major influence on the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance. The LSB plays a critical role in the generation of tonal, whistling noise which causes high annoyance and it also influences the severe fluctuations in aerodynamic loading during the dynamic stall process.
Laminar Separation Bubble
Tonal Noise and Acoustic Feedback
Dynamic Stall
Specializations & Research Interests
- Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of wings and blades
- Low Reynolds Number Airfoils – Laminar separation bubble (LSB)
- Tonal Airfoil Self-Noise – Trailing edge noise, acoustic feedback
- Rotational Aerodynamics – Dynamic stall, unsteady wind conditions
- Wind Turbines – Horizontal Axis (HAWT)
- Rotorcraft – Helicopters, multirotor drones
- Fixed-wing Aircraft – UAV Gliders, Light aircraft, commercial aircraft
- Computational Fluid Dynamics – RANS, LES
- Computational Aeroacoustics – FW-H, DNC
Current Research Projects
Coming soon…
Past Research
For information on research projects completed by Dr. Zilstra, see the publications page for her work completed from 2016-2026 as a part of the Wind Energy Research Group at the University of Waterloo.
