RESEARCH
IMPROVING EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Enhancing data accuracy and refining data analysis techniques are crucial for advancing experimental measurements and simulations in engineering and science, particularly in the study of turbulence and unsteady flows. Discrepancies in data interpretation within these complex flow environments can lead to significant deviations in results, sparking interest in refining these methodologies. The Laurent Fluid Dynamics Lab has focused on developing innovative approaches to improve data fidelity in turbulence research and beyond.
FLUID MECHANICS AROUND ANIMALS
Researchers have often turned to nature for inspiration. Soaring birds are capable of traveling astonishingly long distances without flapping their wings. Through the use of thermal and orographic updrafts, these birds have evolved to alter their behaviors in a way that enables them to make use of the energy contained within these structures and maintain flight with little discernible effort. As a result of spending a large portion of their lives in these highly variable environments, these birds have evolved to understand and take advantage of the flow around them in many different ways.
UAV FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
Natural environments are highly variable and present significant challenges for autonomous aircraft. As the size of aircraft decreases, they become more susceptible to flow disturbances and typical control schemes fail. An understanding of the effects of turbulence on flight becomes crucial when developing new control schemes to optimize the performance of smaller aircraft. The Laurent Fluid Dynamics Lab, in collaboration with SU’s Autonomous Unmanned Systems Lab, aims to address these challenges.
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