https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/tags/ongoing/OngoingHugo Blox Builder (https://hugoblox.com)en-usThu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/media/icon_hu16206239388152479810.pnghttps://neerajbalachandar.github.io/tags/ongoing/https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flowunsteady/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flowunsteady/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>VarFIExI is a variable-fidelity aeroelastic framework that couples vortex particle flow models with structural solvers. The aim is to retain key aeroelastic physics while keeping the computational cost low enough for design and control studies.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flowunsteady/detail.png" alt="VarFIExI - Variable Fidelity Aeroelastic Solver detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>rVPM flow solver coupled to FEM via preCICE</li> <li>Implicit and partitioned explicit coupling strategies</li> <li>Validation on benchmark aeroelastic cases</li> </ul>https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/docking/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/docking/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>This project develops sequential convex programming formulations for drone-to-drone docking. The focus is on safe, feasible trajectories that respect disturbance bounds and actuator limits while preserving computational tractability.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/docking/detail.png" alt="Nonlinear Model Predictive Control via Sequential Convex Programming for Drone-to-Drone Docking detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>Convexified constraints for safety and docking geometry</li> <li>Robust thrust profiles under bounded disturbances</li> <li>Numerical validation on docking scenarios</li> </ul>https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/neural-operator-surrogates/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/neural-operator-surrogates/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>This project builds neural-operator-based surrogates for fast multipole vortex simulations. The emphasis is on conservation-preserving learning and super-resolution reconstruction of velocity fields.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/neural-operator-surrogates/detail.png" alt="Neural Operator Surrogates for Fast Multipole Vortex Simulations detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>Neural operators for N-body vortex interactions</li> <li>Conservation-aware training objectives</li> <li>Super-resolution velocity reconstruction</li> </ul>https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/jellyfish/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/jellyfish/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>This project develops analytical models for tendon-actuated soft membranes inspired by jellyfish propulsion. The goal is to capture dominant deformation and propulsion mechanisms with compact, interpretable models.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/jellyfish/detail.png" alt="Analytical Model for Soft Robotic Membranes detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>Cosserat rod modeling of membrane deformation</li> <li>Hydrodynamic force estimation via Lighthill&rsquo;s theory</li> <li>Validation using immersed boundary simulations</li> </ul>https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flapping/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flapping/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>This project studies chaotic wake evolution in flapping-wing flows. The goal is to extract low-dimensional descriptors that capture transitions to chaos and inform control-oriented modeling.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/flapping/detail.png" alt="Chaotic Wake Dynamics of Flapping Wings detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>Graph-based representation of vortex interactions</li> <li>Information-theoretic metrics for chaos detection</li> <li>Comparative analysis across operating regimes</li> </ul>https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/drone-swarm-rescue-simulation/Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/drone-swarm-rescue-simulation/<h2 id="problem">Problem</h2> <p>This project focuses on multi-agent rescue and transport in simulated environments. I explored navigation, coordination, and clustering methods for robust swarm behavior.</p> <figure class="project-detail-figure"><img src="https://neerajbalachandar.github.io/project/drone-swarm-rescue-simulation/detail.png" alt="Drone Swarm Rescue Simulation detail image" loading="lazy"></figure> <h2 id="approach">Approach</h2> <ul> <li>Artificial potential fields for navigation</li> <li>RRT-based transport strategies</li> <li>Clustering comparisons (DBSCAN, K-means)</li> </ul>