Learn to contribute to new high-tech applications for the aeronautical sector in which aerodynamics, acoustics, structures, materials, and propulsion meet.
Throughout the last century, we have witnessed an evolution of the aviation industry, with aircraft getting larger and larger and becoming a common mode of transport for millions of passengers. And as the demand for air travel continues to increase in the coming decades, the challenges have become more urgent. How can we move towards a sustainable future of air travel? How can you reduce large CO2 emissions or noise pollution? And what are the opportunities of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and what does it take to implement them responsibly? But also, how do the principles of aerodynamics for aeroplanes apply to, for example, wind turbines, ships, or cars? How do we optimally design for maintenance? Can we design and make better (meta)materials? And how can you use this knowledge to realise optimisation in these and other applications as well? These are some of the many types of questions you might deal with in the specialisation in Aeronautics.
What is Aeronautics?
The specialisation in Aeronautics focuses on aerodynamics and its interaction with acoustics, structures, and propulsion used for high-tech applications within the aeronautical industry, but also other applications in e.g. wind turbine design, the maritime or the automotive sector. It covers aspects including the optimisation of aircraft designs, the design and operation of vehicles for Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the advancement of wind turbine technology, but also new technologies for production, energy storage or energy harvesting, electric propulsion, the design of multifunctional materials combining structural integrity and noise control, and in-flight monitoring. From aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, fluid dynamics, structural dynamics, control, and materials science to safety and maintenance engineering: you will become equipped with (fundamental) knowledge of mechanical engineering disciplines that are essential to the field of aeronautical engineering.
You will learn to come up with solutions that can enhance performance with minimal environmental impact. You could explore the use of light-weighted composite materials to improve fuel efficiency, or test noise reduction technologies in our state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Or what about improving safety by designing smart control systems?
Moreover, you will not only learn how the aeronautical industry can become more sustainable but also: how can the aeronautical sector contribute to future sustainability? Think, for example, of the development of satellites and other spacecraft that allow us to collect detailed earth observation data that yields essential information on atmospheric conditions and other climate change-related phenomena. With the knowledge you will acquire within this specialisation, you might contribute to the development of new, sustainable technologies for spacecraft.
What will you learn?
As a graduate of this Master's and this specialisation, you have acquired specific, scientific knowledge, skills and values, which you can put to good use in your future job.
Other master’s and specialisations
Is this specialisation not exactly what you are looking for? Maybe one of the other specialisations suits you better, like the specialisation in Energy & Flow.