Laboratory activities include experimental testing of models and components, force and pressure measurements, advanced flow diagnostics (PIV, anemometry, and optical techniques), and aeroacoustic analysis. These activities support applications in aeronautical, industrial, and sports engineering, both within the department’s facilities and in the Large Wind Tunnel of Politecnico di Milano (GVPM).

The laboratory participates in several European research projects on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, in collaboration with leading research institutes, as well as international universities.

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FACILITIES

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“SERGIO DE PONTE” WIND TUNNEL

Description

The “Sergio De Ponte” Wind Tunnel (Blue Wind Tunnel) is the flagship facility of the laboratory. Built in the early 2000s, it is a closed-circuit subsonic wind tunnel with a closed test section, dedicated to aerodynamic testing of scaled models and aeronautical and industrial components.

The facility is equipped with an auxiliary fan to compensate pressure variations in the test section, allowing operation even when the test section is not sealed.

In addition, it features a six-degree-of-freedom model positioning system, enabling unsteady aerodynamic measurements.

The wind tunnel is used both for fundamental research activities and for experimental campaigns carried out in collaboration with industrial partners.

Technical Specifications

• Test section dimensions: 1.5 m × 1 m × 3 m (height × width × length)
• Maximum speed: 58 m/s
• Turbulence intensity in the test section: < 0.13%
• Dynamic positioning range: ±50 mm, ±20°, 0.5 m/s, 150°/s
• Installed electrical power: 100 kW

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AEROACOUSTIC WIND TUNNEL

Description

The Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel (White Wind Tunnel), commissioned in 2025, is an open-circuit subsonic wind tunnel with an open test section, specifically designed to study the interaction between aerodynamic flow and noise generation.

The facility enables the investigation of aeroacoustic phenomena associated with rotors, wings, and aeronautical components, with particular emphasis on noise reduction.

It represents a strategic infrastructure for the development of innovative solutions in the field of advanced and sustainable air mobility.

Technical Specifications

• Test section dimensions: 4 m × 4 m × 4 m (height × width × length)
• Maximum usable free-jet size: 0.5 m × 0.7 m
• Maximum speed: 43 m/s
• Turbulence intensity: < 0.3%
• Fully anechoic down to 100 Hz
• Installed electrical power: 37 kW

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TEACHING WIND TUNNEL

Description

The Teaching Wind Tunnel (Green Wind Tunnel), upgraded in 2022 from a previous facility, is a closed-circuit subsonic wind tunnel with a closed test section.

It is primarily used for laboratory activities within aerodynamics courses and represents a fundamental tool for the experimental training of students, allowing them to complement theoretical preparation with hands-on experience in measurements, data acquisition, and analysis of fluid-dynamic phenomena.

In addition to teaching activities, the Green Wind Tunnel is also used for research projects and student theses.

Technical Specifications

• Test section dimensions: 0.3 m × 0.45 m × 1.4 m (height × width × length)
• Maximum speed: 37 m/s
• Turbulence intensity in the test section: < 0.35%
• Installed electrical power: 6.5 kW

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INSTRUMENTATION

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• Single- and biaxial load cells and six-component balances with different measurement ranges
• Pressure scanners capable of acquiring up to 400 simultaneous channels
• High-sensitivity pressure transducers, with capability for unsteady measurements
• Pressure probes (Pitot tubes and multi-hole directional probes)
• 2D and 3D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems
• Hot-wire anemometry system with 1D and 3D probes
• Microphones, up to 23 simultaneous channels
• Single- and triaxial accelerometers and single-axis inclinometers
• High-sensitivity infrared thermal camera
• 3D motion tracking system (up to 8 cameras)
• China-clay and fluorescent micro-tufts with UV illumination for surface flow visualization
• Smoke generators for flow visualization
• Motorized positioning systems up to 5 axes (travel ranges from 30 cm to 4 m)
• GVPM aerodynamic test-section positioning systems for standard aeronautical tests and high angle-of-attack testing
• GVPM positioning system in free-jet configuration
• Low-voltage DC power supplies up to 7 kW and 600 V, 75 kW regenerative power supply

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SERVICES PROVIDED

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The services offered by the aerodynamic laboratory cover the entire experimental workflow across the four available facilities, from test design to the execution and management of experimental campaigns.

In addition to the typical operational activities of a wind tunnel, the laboratory provides high value-added services, offering specialized expertise and advanced design capabilities, including:

• Design, development, and manufacturing of wind-tunnel models, including powered models, covering technical design, mechanical integration, and structural verification through static and dynamic FEM analyses
• Specialized consultancy for the design and optimization of wind tunnels, from requirement definition to performance validation
• Planning and execution of outdoor measurement campaigns, using dedicated instrumentation and customized protocols
• Numerical modeling of steady and unsteady aerodynamics, supporting experimental activities or provided as a standalone service, using and developing in-house computational codes (DUST, ROSITA).