IMPROVING EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
PHYSICS-BASED FILTERING TECHNIQUES FOR PARTICLES IN TURBULENCE
In collaboration with local company, OpB Data Insights, we have developed a new position filtering technique for Lagrangian particle tracking in turbulence studies, using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to address measurement errors and enhance data accuracy. The proposed MLE filter is adaptable to various turbulent flows and outperforms an existing filter by Mordant et al. while providing similar performance to spline filters by Gesemann. Unlike spline filters, the MLE filter is more versatile and can be tailored to different physics. The effectiveness of the filters is assessed using error metrics, with the MLE filter applied to simulated isotropic turbulence data.
This project is currently seeking undergraduate students. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Laurent at klaurent@syr.edu
Related Publications
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF A RANDOMLY ACTUATED SYNTHETIC JET ARRAY
Randomly actuated synthetic jet arrays (RASJAs) are systems composed of multiple synthetic jets that are driven independently and without a fixed pattern. In turbulence studies, RASJAs are used to create complex flow fields with controlled but unpredictable characteristics, making them ideal for simulating turbulent environments. This work aims to determine how jet actuation frequencies, amplitudes, and phase differences to study impact the turbulence, which in turn affects fluid transport, mixing, locomotion, and particle dynamics (image source).
This project is currently seeking undergraduate students. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Laurent at klaurent@syr.edu
UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT: LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE FLOW VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR A LOW-SPEED WATER TUNNEL
Flow visualization techniques offer a unique way to understand the complex behaviors of fluids across many applications including the fluid dynamics within biological systems, such as lungs and veins, or the aerodynamic properties of aircraft. Dye tracing methods, which involve injecting colored fluid into the fluid of interest, provides a minimally intrusive method to observe fluid movements without disrupting the natural flow dynamics. The goal of this project is to design a dye injection system tailored for a low-speed water tunnel, aiming to assess the potential for this qualitative flow visualization technique to provide quantitative results. This knowledge would advance flow visualization measurement techniques, contributing to an ever-growing collection of research dedicated to improving flow measurement methods.
Related Publications & Posters
– Coming soon
LATEST NEWS
01.13.2026 – Dr. Laurent and the lab present three papers at AIAA SciTech 2026! PhD student Adhip Gupta presents on multi-camera tracking of flocking birds, PhD student Matthew Qualters presents on supersonic dual-stream jet characterization, and Dr. Laurent presents on scalable energy harvesting for UAVs.
01.16.2025 – Undergraduate student Sona Flask joins the lab! Her SOURCE-funded project aims to understand how textured surfaces which mimic shark skin can reduce drag.
01.01.2026 – PhD student Matthew Qualters joins the lab! His project focuses on flow control in supersonic jets.
11.23.2025 – PhD student Adhip Gupta presents his work on 3D trajectory reconstruction of flocking birds at the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics conference.
10.15.2025 – Undergraduate student Jason Reid joins the lab! His SOURCE-funded project investigates how shark skin-inspired textured surfaces can reduce drag.
08.15.2025 – PhD student William Martin joins the lab! His project focuses on energy extraction from small-scale turbulence for improved UAV flight performance.
05.15.2025 – Undergraduate students Zachary Freyman (SOURCE-funded), Dean Abdel-Aziz (SOURCE-funded), Rudy Adkins (REU-funded), and Ava Lough join the lab for summer research projects!
05.21.2025 – Dr. Laurent participates in the Faculty Success Program through the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity.
04.26.2025 – Dr. Laurent and PhD student Adhip Gupta present at the 1000 Islands Fluid Dynamics Meeting.
11.25.2024 – PhD student Adhip Gupta presents his work at the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics conference. Read the abstract here
10.18.2024 – In collaboration with Dr. Lui, Dr. Laurent receives funding from SOURCE for undergraduate research for Spring – Fall 2025. Learn more about the project and how to get involved here!
08.05.2024 – Dr. Laurent presents Birds, Planes, & Aerodynamics at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
07.16.2024 – Dr. Laurent volunteers for TACNY’s Summer STEM Trekker Program. Read more about it on our “Outreach” page!
06.03.2024 – Undergraduate student Maximilian Lapinski joins the lab for a summer REU-funded project! This project aims to develop an experimental setup for measuring the forces on a flapping wing.
06.03.2024 – Undergraduate student Joshua Varkey joins the lab! His SOURCE-funded project aims to design and analyze flow visualization techniques for a low-speed water tunnel.
02.15.2024 – Dr. Laurent receives funding from SOURCE for undergraduate research for Summer & Fall 2024. Learn more about the project and how to get involved here!
02.07.2024 – Dr. Laurent’s collaborative work with local company OpB Data Insights is published in Experiments in Fluids. Read the article here
01.20.2024 – Dr. Laurent presents Birds of Prey in Flight: Exploring the Aerodynamics of Birds of Prey at the Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse.
12.11.2023 – Dr. Laurent presents her research at Clarkson University’s Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Graduate Seminar
08.28.2023 – Undergraduate student Kazi joins the lab! His research project examines drag-reduction in car designs.
09.29.2023 – Dr. Laurent receives funding from SOURCE for undergraduate research. Learn more about the project and how to get involved here!
03.10.2023 – Dr. Laurent presents her research at Syracuse University’s Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Graduate Seminar
01.17.2023 – Undergraduate students Sophia and Alex join the lab! Their SOURCE funded project examines how fish bodies reduce drag.
08.29.2022 – Undergraduate student Cody joins the lab! His research project examines optimal flapping patterns in manta-inspired robots.
08.22.2022 – Dr. Laurent arrives at Syracuse University to start her role as an Assistant Professor.
03.02.2022 – An interview with Dr. Laurent is published in BBC Wildlife – read the article here
JOIN OUR TEAM!
There are open opportunities for PhD and master students. Highly motivated undergraduate students are encouraged to reach out as well. Please email your CV with a brief introduction to klaurent@syr.edu