Porous Engineering Solutions
Project Overview
University
Year
About
Conventional solid wings, turbine blades and pump components can disrupt the flow of air or water, creating resistance that wastes energy and reduces efficiency. Porous Engineering Solutions replaces selected solid components with algorithmically designed, 3D-printed structures inspired by the layered porosity of birds’ wings. These internal networks allow fluid to move between areas of high and low pressure, helping to reduce drag and maintain smoother flow without heavy moving parts. The approach could improve performance, lower energy use and reduce associated carbon emissions.
Team
Kushal Umamahesh
Kushal Umamahesh is a PhD researcher in Computational Fluid Dynamics at Cranfield University. His research focuses on developing porous airfoil applications for aerodynamic enhancement, aiming to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing drones, pump impellers, and wind-turbine blades. He holds master’s degrees in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Power, with experience in CFD analysis, engineering design, and prototype development. He is passionate about developing energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, with a strong interest in transforming engineering concepts into physical prototypes through design, fabrication, testing, and experimental validation.
Spencer Matthews
Spencer Matthews is a PhD researcher in Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University. His doctoral project studies the aerodynamics of porous airfoils, using scale-resolving computational fluid dynamics to understand how flow through permeable surfaces alters aerodynamic performance. His master’s research investigated the micro-blowing technique for drag reduction. Before Cranfield, he ran CFD simulations at Corvid Technologies, tested battery thermal management at Exponent, and validated diesel powertrains at Detroit Diesel. A former machinist and Formula SAE engineer, Spencer brings a hands-on approach to closing the loop between simulation and physical testing.