Dr Doug Auld
Engineering
University of Sydney
Australia
Biography
BSc, BE(Hons), MEngSc, PhD (Sydney) Senior Lecturer School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering J11 - Aeronautical Engineering Building The University of Sydney
Research Interest
Aircraft components are generally designed for optimal aerodynamic performance during normal flight, with minimum drag, maximum fuel efficiency and so on. Dr Doug Auld's research focuses on the aerodynamics of aircraft components in the event that the craft stalls during flight, so that future design can incorporate properties that mitigate the consequences of such an event. "Since the early 1900s we have basically understood what flight is about, but there are second-order effects with respect to air flow at the microscopic and molecular level that are less well understood. I work mainly on this fundamental knowledge, which can then be applied to aircraft design to improve safety and efficiency. "As well as aircraft, I look at how other objects that move through air or water are affected by disturbances in the flow of the surrounding medium, whether to a minor or a catastrophic degree. This will ultimately lead to design applications that improve the stability of vehicles in cross-winds and so on. "Another project I'm working on involves power generation from wind and wave energy through the use of turbines. Our ability to efficiently obtain power from wind and waves is still quite low. I work with prototypes that aim to maximise the extraction of energy from the naturally variable pressure of airflow in a variety of situations, in order to increase long-term efficiency and reliability and reducing maintenance requirements. "I've been working in this field for around 35 years, most of it at the University of Sydney. There's a strong research environment here and I have the freedom to do the type of fundamental research that other people don't necessarily have the time or freedom to pursue. This means I can focus on developing knowledge that will lead to long-term solutions, rather than just specific localised applications."
