Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has been awarded a new Proof of Concept (PoC) grant by the European Research Council (ERC) in its latest call for the RT-FLOW project, led by Stefano Discetti from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at UC3M. The project aims to transform the way aerodynamic experiments are conducted by enabling near-instantaneous flow field measurements using compact hardware, thereby reducing both the time and cost of these tests.
Experiments in fluid dynamics are essential for the design, improvement, and validation of aerodynamic systems, yet they are difficult to carry out due to the high cost of experimental facilities and the limitations of current measurement techniques. Traditional sensors provide information limited to specific points, while conventional optical techniques require complex and expensive instrumentation, generating large volumes of data that are difficult to process in order to obtain complete flow fields.
The RT-FLOW project (Real-time data-driven flow diagnostics with event-based cameras, GA 101292611) addresses this challenge through the use of an event-based imaging velocimetry system enhanced with data-driven methods, capable of delivering real-time flow field information. “Event-based cameras record only the changes in the scene within the measurement space and therefore acquire information in a more compact manner; they are more sensitive than the cameras typically used in aerodynamic experiments and allow the use of inexpensive illumination sources,” explains Stefano Discetti. Thanks to these features, the project will enable high-frequency, low-latency measurements using compact and cost-effective hardware, facilitating access to advanced aerodynamic testing with quick feedback in both academic and industrial settings.
RT-FLOW aims at changing how aerodynamic experiments are conceived, moving from post-processed diagnostics to experiments capable of integrating flow information in real time. This capability allows flow physics to be observed, interpreted, and exploited during the experiment itself, opening new opportunities for experiment-driven discovery, adaptive testing, and the development of closed-loop flow control strategies that are not readily accessible with conventional measurement methods.
The project will define the requirements for a fast, quantitative flow visualization platform capable of providing real-time feedback. It will also tackle the challenge of scaling data-driven spatial and temporal resolution enhancement techniques to typical wind tunnel operating conditions. Beyond the technical development, RT-FLOW will outline a strategy for commercialization and exploitation, assessing potential markets and application areas.
These research grants highlight UC3M’s commitment to excellence in research. To date, UC3M has secured a total of 22 ERC projects since the programme’s inception (8 Starting Grants, 9 Consolidator Grants and 5 Proof of Concept grants), with total funding amounting to approximately €28 million.