Rithik R Nambiar
MS Candidate · Aerospace Engineering · Iowa State University
I am an MS candidate in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis) at Iowa State University, specializing in computational analysis and sustainable system design.
My research portfolio spans computational aeroacoustics, wind energy systems, and lighter-than-air systems through collaborations with leading US and Indian institutions including IIT Bombay and IIST Trivandrum.
Previously, I was a Project Research Assistant at the LTA Systems Laboratory, IIT Bombay, and completed my BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology with a minor in Fundamentals of Computing.
Recent News
Experience
- Applying dynamic modeling and time-domain simulations for a novel Wave-Augmented Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (WAFOWT) system using MATLAB/Simulink and WEC-Sim to evaluate wave-body interactions and enhance platform stability.
- Teaching Assistant for AERE 3220: Aerospace Structures Laboratory (Fall 2026), guiding 30+ students through hands-on experiments in aerospace structural principles.
- Designed a novel ultrasonic bat deterrent device leveraging aerodynamic whistles to mitigate wind turbine mortality risks at wind farms.
- Enhanced understanding of aerodynamic whistle performance by conducting detailed CFD and CAA simulations, identifying key operational principles and areas for design improvement.
- Applied Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) methods using Discrete Adjoint approach with OpenFOAM (DAFoam) to enhance device performance.
- Led feasibility study on solar/wind aerostats for transmission towers, reducing potential costs by 20%.
- Optimized power generation efficiency by 15% through CFD analysis of horizontal and vertical axis turbines.
- Developed dashboard to streamline aerostat design process, reducing cycle time by 60%.
- Teaching Assistant for AE664: LTA Systems, earning positive feedback for exceptional teaching support.
- Demonstrated leadership by organizing impactful events, outreach programs, guiding interns, and strengthening project visibility.
- Conducted collaborative research employing ANSYS Fluent to dissect screech tones in supersonic jets.
- Evaluated sound pressure levels and acoustic behaviors across diverse microphone locations, providing valuable insights into aircraft performance.
- Explored the impact of Mach numbers on noise generation in supersonic jets, focusing on predicting screech tones.
- Performed design and analysis of critical aircraft components in the Wing & Empennage division, enhancing structural integrity and performance.
- Executed a focused study on gurney flaps, optimizing their application for a 15% improvement in lift coefficient.
Publications
Vist [Google Scholar] for my full list of publications.
Thesis
Education
Honors & Awards
Technical Skills
Engineering Software
Numerical Analysis
Programming
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Field Notes
Glimpses from labs, conferences, and milestones along the way.
