Fluid–Metamaterial Interaction
Studying how engineered mechanical metamaterials coupled with unsteady aerodynamic flows can enable passive and semi-passive flow control.
Learn more →Department of Aerospace Engineering · UIUC
Numerics & Unsteady Flows Group
We develop high-fidelity numerical methods and open-source tools to understand the rich physics of unsteady flows — from bio-inspired design to interaction with metamaterials.
Who We Are
Advancing Computational Fluid Dynamics
Welcome! The Numerics and Unsteady Flows (NUF) Group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign investigates fundamental and applied problems at the intersection of fluid mechanics and computational science. Our work combines rigorous numerical method development with physics-driven analysis to reveal the mechanisms that govern complex, unsteady fluid flows.
We are part of the Department of Aerospace Engineering within the Grainger College of Engineering and welcome collaboration across engineering, biology, and applied mathematics.
What We Study 
Research Areas
Our work spans fluid–metamaterial interaction, modal flow analysis, bio-inspired design, and numerical method development.
Modal Analysis of Fluid Flows
Identifying coherent structures and amplification mechanisms in unsteady flows using data-driven and operator-based modal techniques.
Learn more → Bio-Inspired Design
Drawing from nature to design next-generation aerodynamic surfaces and micro air vehicles informed by bird flight mechanics.
Learn more → Numerical Method Development
Developing immersed boundary formulations and open-source tools for high-fidelity simulation of unsteady incompressible flows.
Learn more → Latest Updates
Recent News
Publication
Our paper on aerodynamic fluid-metamaterial interaction was accepted to JFS!
Our paper on aerodynamic fluid-metamaterial interaction was accepted by the Journal of Fluids and Structures.
Read more → Conference
Nick presented his work at MUFMECH 2026!
Nick presented one talk at the Midwestern Universities Fluid Mechanics Retreat annual meeting in Cedar Lake, IN.
Read more → Conference
Srikumar, Zoey, Arturo and Elyse presented their work at DFD 2025!
Srikumar, Zoey, Arturo and Elyse presented four talks at the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics annual meeting in Houston, TX.
Read more → Our Work 2026 2026 2026
Newest Publications
A framework to systematically study the nonlinear fluid-structure interaction of phononic materials with aerodynamic flows
Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2026
Dynamic passive control of turbulent drag via subsurface resonant phononic material
AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum, 2026
A High-Fidelity Simulation Framework for Turbulent Flows with Complex (Metamaterial) Structures
AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum, 2026