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Russian professor collaborates with aerospace researchers

From UWE Bulletin February 2007

Professor Igor Lipatov, Head of the Theoretical Research Department, Central Aero Hydrodynamic Institute, Moscow, recently visited UWE to meet with Dr Chris Toomer and Dr Laurent Dala, both Senior Lecturers and Researchers in Aerospace. The purpose of the visit was to discuss two main areas of collaborative research for the next generation of commercial aircraft.

The first relates to supersonic flight and potential future development. There has been much analysis of the development and demise of Concorde, relating primarily to economic and environmental issues. Many of the issues which have been found, surprisingly or unsurprisingly, can be traced back to the sonic boom and the high drag of the aircraft. The discussions with Professor Lipatov centred on how these problems could be acceptably overcome so as to make the next generation of supersonic craft more environmentally and economically viable. The intention is to propose a new method of shock wave control to the EPSRC in order to obtain funding for collaborative research in this area and perhaps prepare for the next generation of Concorde.

The second area of discussion was on the development of new boundary control methods to improve boundary layer behaviour. This will allow for better control of buffeting and turbulence and will improve the economical efficiency and safety of transonic aeroplanes, such as those built by Airbus. The proposed research presents a very innovative method for flow control and potentially a partnership with Airbus for FP7 funding.

Professor Lipatov, who has a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, heads up four scientific sectors at the Institute. His work relates to the investigation and application of asymptotic and numerical methods to solve the fundamental problems of modern aerodynamics, such as flow stability and control, boundary layer separation and vortical flows.

Professor Lipatov is currently a member of the Scientific Council of the Institute as well as of the Fluid Mechanics Scientific Council, Russian Academy of Science. He has presented at lectures, seminars and conferences in many parts of the world and has an impressive list of some 72 publications that he is written or co-written.

Dr Laurent Dala said: "The Aerospace Group at UWE was delighted to hold discussions with Professor Lipatov and believe this is an acknowledgement of the scientific standard of this Group. Research of this nature, into sensitive topics within the aerospace industry, will help to develop a synergy between the needs of the industry, the market and the transfer of knowledge and expertise held within universities. We hope one of the outcomes of the collaboration will be the development of advanced courses, delivered jointly by UWE and our Russian counterparts, on topics such as instabilities in the boundary layer."