What is it about?
This study explores the early stages of developing a surface designed to reduce drag using a pattern of 60-degree triangular grooves. The research includes designing the surface, running computer simulations, fabricating the material, and testing its performance. The grooved surface was designed with spacing of 57.8 µm and a depth of 50 µm, based on previously studied optimal designs. Computer simulations predicted that the surface could reduce drag by about 6.9%. To test this, two acrylic drums were manufactured using high-precision diamond cutting technology—one with a smooth surface and the other with the grooved pattern. The quality and accuracy of the grooves were carefully controlled (within 2 µm). Performance testing was conducted using a specialized system that measured torque (rotational force), position, and applied force. The results showed that the grooved surface significantly reduced drag, achieving up to 12.2% reduction under specific conditions.
Featured Image
Photo by Maryna Yazbeck on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This research has potential applications in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, marine, energy, and biomedical fields, where reducing friction and improving efficiency are important.
Perspectives
This represents one of the very few publications in which drag reduction performance is assessed vby means of rotational devices (and not by means of the traditional linear ones, typicall in the form of a water channel or wind tunnel). Furthermore, the study presented the full R&D cycle to inevitably include design and numerical/experimental validation.
Remus Tutunea-Fatan
Western University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Drag Reducing Functional Surface With 60 Degree Riblets: Modelling, Microfabrication, and Performance Evaluation, January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-1676.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
