Dr Sergi Palleja Cabre

Research groups

Research interests

• Propeller interaction noise
• Fan broadband noise
• Duct acoustics

Current research

Propeller interaction noise

Multiple sources of noise have been identified for propeller-based vehicles used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sectors. Current research on this topic includes a fundamental approach to identify and characterise the dominant sources of noise in counter-rotating propeller systems and propellers installed close to a wing which will contribute to designing low-noise propulsion systems.

Fan broadband noise

Current research on this topic includes the development of ‘downstream porosity’ for the reduction of turbulence/aerofoil interaction noise. This treatment provides significant reductions of turbulence-aerofoil interaction noise with a minimal impact on aerodynamic efficiency. Other new noise reduction technologies are being investigated such as flexible aerofoil sections and have led to the filing of a patent.

Duct acoustics

The current research on duct acoustics is focused on the investigation of noise reduction treatments for fan noise, mainly Over-Tip-Rotor (OTR) liners and porous tip treatments. The work on OTR liners focuses on improving understanding of the physics involved in the noise suppression of this technology and its prediction through analytical formulations. Current work also includes the investigation of noise generation and mitigation in compact ducted propellers.

Research projects