From Cranfield to Purdue University, an international career in aerodynamics
After his 4th year at ESTACA, Guillaume Crenn spent a year doing research in a laboratory on the Cranfield Defense and Security campus, which is based at the UK Defense Academy. He then went on to spend a semester as an exchange student at Purdue University in the United States, home of astronauts. A journey full of both scientific and cultural discoveries that opened up great prospects for the future…
Discovering the world of research in an English research laboratory
Guillaume’s internship was on “the computational study of supersonic overexpanded impinging air jets”. His mission was to develop a methodology to study the impact of very high speed air jets (up to twice the speed of sound) with a perpendicular or inclined wall, in 2D and 3D… Impinging air jets are used in aeronautics and space. They allow, for example, burnt gases to be diverted from an aircraft or rocket in order to protect people or avoid damage to the runway, other aircrafts or the aircraft itself. Impinging air jets are also used to heat the leading edge of aircraft wings to prevent icing in sub-zero temperatures.
They are also used to cool the blades of aircraft engine turbines where temperatures at the turbine inlet can reach 1500°C.
A semester at Purdue, home of astronauts
After taking a gap year, Guillaume went on to continue his studies abroad at Purdue University in the USA, a very well known university, nicknamed the cradle of astronauts with iconic figure Neil Armstrong! During his semester Guillaume attended courses in aeronautical propulsion, space propulsion and fluid mechanics. In particular, he participated in a project with American students to study and manufacture a radio-controlled aircraft with a wingspan of more than 2 meters.
And great opportunities to come...
Guillaume was selected to present the research done during his internship at the 56th edition of the “International Conference on Applied Aerodynamics” organized by the French Aeronautical and Astronautical Association (3AF), on March 28-29-30 at ISAE SUPAERO in Toulouse. This year’s conference focused on aerodynamics for a lower environmental impact A hundred experts from the industrial world, researchers, engineers, and students from all over the world present their work.
In April, Guillaume will start his end-of-study internship at Safran Aircraft Engines in France, in the Aerodynamic Methods and Tools office, to work on the aerodynamic impact of under-wing engine installation.
