The Cluster of Excellence SE²A - Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviation is a DFG-funded interdisciplinary research center investigating technologies for a sustainable and eco-friendly air transport system. Scientists from engineering, economics, chemistry and biology are working on the reduction of drag, emissions and noise, life-cycle concepts for airframes, improvements in air traffic management and new technologies for energy storage and conversion.
The current research in this area deals with Hybrid load alleviation by fluidic/reversed control and nonlinear structures. In collaboration with partners at the TU Delft and the Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures, we investigate combinations of novel active flow control methods, tailored wing structures for reverse control and nonlinearly behaving structures that buckle under loads.
Reducing wing structural weight and aerodynamic drag is essential for achieving more climate-friendly future commercial aircraft, regardless of the propulsion system, as it significantly lowers energy consumption and emissions. This requires integrating multiple functions into high-aspect-ratio wings, including high-lift performance, active gust and maneuver load alleviation, and laminar flow control, which current leading-edge systems cannot provide simultaneously. Previous research demonstrated that dynamically actuated leading-edge devices can reduce structural gust loads by over 90% and maneuver loads by one-third, but existing actuation concepts are too large and insufficiently capable for these combined functions. The MUVE project therefore aims to develop a multifunctional leading-edge system with innovative actuators as a key enabling technology for future low-emission aircraft.
The JRG on "Flow Physics of Load Reduction" studied novel flow control concepts to realize fast and efficient alleviation of gust and maneuver loads on aircraft wings. As part of the first funding phase of the Cluster of Excellence SE²A, two PhD researchers conducted unsteady flow simulations and wind tunnel tests for flow control on 2D wing segments and 3D wings of finite span for a range of actuation and geometric parameters. The results of this project laid the basis for ongoing research in the Hyconos project in the same Cluster of Excellence SE²A.
In the EDGE project (Ultraefficient Aircraft Integration, based on cutting-edge capabilities) in collaboration with Airbus, DLR, University of Stuttgart and RTU Kaiserslautern, we develop and validate advanced simulation methods for aerodynamic and structural analysis to support the design of high-aspect-ratio wings with active load alleviation technologies. By improving the simulation capabilities of CODA and FlowSimulator, the project enables the evaluation of innovative fluidic actuation concepts that reduce gust and maneuver loads while overcoming the integration challenges of conventional mechanical actuators. These methods are applied to a future reference aircraft wing to assess the potential of active flow control for reducing wing structural weight and induced drag. Together, these advances contribute to more energy-efficient and climate-friendly aircraft designs.