“I’m pleased to be back testing at Southampton and working with past colleagues as the basis of the working relationship is already there.” Dr Darren Coe Aerodynamicist at Aston Martin
Widespread impact
Aerodynamic aspirations
One of the reasons the wind tunnels are such a fantastic asset for the University is that they impact on a whole variety of industries. David explains that researchers at Southampton have carried out aerodynamics work for performance sports teams, the motorsports industry, Formula 1 teams such as McLaren, and sports car manufacturers such as Aston Martin. In addition, civil engineering projects that involve wind turbines, aerospace engineering, marine technologies and high-speed train design have all been conducted for commercial partners in the wind tunnels.
From an early age, David was interested in aerodynamics. “I sent off letters when I was at secondary school to Formula 1 teams to ask what type of degree I needed to do to get into the industry. Aerospace Engineering at Southampton came back as the course of choice,” he says.
Dr James Roche (BEng Ship Science, 2006; EngD Ship Science, 2010) is an engineer at McLaren Applied Technologies and is responsible for winter sports projects. Refining the aerodynamics of athletes in winter sports can shave fractions of a second off their times and so aerodynamic design is vital in the equipment. “We plan to use the wind tunnels at Southampton for various projects in the lead up to winter sporting events in order to develop new equipment and techniques,” he says.
Aeronautics and Astronautics at Southampton is the largest specialist undergraduate course in the UK with a variety of wind tunnels used in the undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes. In his final year of his undergraduate degree, David was offered the chance to study for a doctorate by his supervisor. The project was sponsored by a rally team and involved aerodynamic design in the wind tunnels, he explains. “It was exactly what I wanted to do.”
During his postgraduate studies his supervisor Dr Charlie Williams was tragically killed in a kite surfing accident. For a year, David and fellow postgraduate student Darren Coe (MEng Aerospace Engineering, 2005; EngD Experimental Transient Ground Effect Aerodynamics, 2011) helped to manage the wind tunnels. When the wind tunnel manager As a postgraduate, James was involved in the aerodynamic position became available, David applied and was testing, aero-design, development and race simulation successful. “The job ticked all the boxes,” he says. “It’s of the Skeleton on which British athlete Amy Williams something that I have always wanted to do and the flexibility won a gold medal at Vancouver in 2010. He believes his and variety that is involved in the work here suits me.” experience at Southampton has helped him get to where he is now in his career.
Engineering versus beauty
Over the years the wind tunnels have also been used extensively by world-leading aerospace companies, for aeroacoustic testing, wind engineering research and for work on racing yacht sails for the marine industry. “The special thing about the Southampton wind tunnels is they can almost take all comers, from yachts to sleds to race cars and various other wacky things,” says James. “They are set up to be flexible and this helps attract interesting projects.” “We also do a lot of certification studies. So customers with products that get exposed to the wind come to us because they need to know the maximum wind speed their products can survive,” says David. “Examples of such products include advertising hoardings, TV aerials, traffic lights and road signs – just anything the wind can act upon. We put them in the wind tunnel under controlled conditions and observe what happens,” he adds.
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Hartley News | Spring 2012 | University of Southampton
Having completely left the University after his postgraduate degree, Darren took a different path in his career. He now works for Aston Martin as an aerodynamicist: “I head the experimental aerodynamic research as well as conducting computational simulations,” he says. Aerodynamics plays a major role in the capability of high-performance sports cars. Wind tunnel testing looks to achieve a balance between meeting engineering requirements while maintaining the beauty of the car, explains Darren. Factors such as engine cooling, wind noise, high-speed stability and achieving environmental targets are developed in conjunction with the style. “This requires forward-thinking engineering proven with robust testing,” he adds. “Collaboration between industry and research institutions has to be based on a strong mutual
Aerodynamics plays a major role in the capability of high-performance sports cars Image supplied by Aston Martin
relationship,” says Darren. “By working together the potential benefit to both parties can produce stunning results. I’m pleased to be back testing at Southampton and working with past colleagues as the basis of the working relationship is already there,” he adds.
Great career advice Charlie Williams also inspired Darren when he was an undergraduate at Southampton, but he explains that his initial decision to study at the University was due to Adrian Newey (BSc Aeronautics, 1980; Hon DSc, 2000), now Chief Technical Officer at Red Bull Racing. “I contacted him seeking career advice and he was kind enough to reply, suggesting that if my interest lay with aerodynamics, Southampton was a good choice,” says Darren. As an undergraduate student Darren worked closely with a number of clients including Aston Martin, on cuttingedge aerodynamic programmes in the R J Mitchell wind tunnel. “Being able to tap into the wealth of knowledge that these clients possess along with the experience I gained conducting the research, undoubtedly led directly to where I am today,” he says. David explains that there is something very welcoming about the University and that helped him to forge a career here. “The team atmosphere here is great, but at the same time the University is still very highly regarded in research terms,” he says. One of the biggest selling points
for the Southampton wind tunnels, explains David, is the fact that the team of experts that supports the facility is incredibly flexible. “We can accommodate anything and offer some of the best support in the country for wind tunnel testing,” he says. James agrees and adds that the relaxed environment enables companies to have a lot of freedom to work in the way that best suits them, while the wind tunnel team provides support along the way.
Proud achievements David explains that most of the marketing for the wind tunnels is done by word of mouth and is based on reputation. “Most companies that would require wind tunnels on a regular basis know we are here,” he says. Southampton’s wind tunnel complex is the largest facility in the UK available for commercial use. “Most Formula 1 teams have their own wind tunnels, but we offer worldleading expertise as well as the facilities,” says David. The combination of unique facilities, world-leading expertise and a flexible working ethic at the wind tunnels shows how the University is supporting its alumni both during their studies and in their future careers. “As an alumnus, I am proud of the University and what it has achieved,” says James. For more information, visit www.windtunnel.soton.ac.uk
Hartley News | Spring 2012 | University of Southampton
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