Dr Filippone's expertise is on modelling and simulation of fluid flows, particularly on computer programming, high-performance computing, software engineering, software systems integration, numerical optimisation, stochastic methods, data analysis and data processing. He has done extensive research in wind turbine aerodynamics, rotor aerodynamics, helicopter aerodynamics, car and vehicle aerodynamics, industrial flows in mechanical plants, power plants (for oil, gas and steam energy), flight mechanics of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. His present interests are multi-disciplinary, but focus broadly on aero flight mechanics and related disciplines.
We study the multi-disciplinary aspects of the atmospheric flight. In particular, we study the problems related to getting a vehicle off the ground, keeping it safely airborne, and controlling it back to Earth. We analyse the perfomance of the vehicle at all flight conditions (design and off-design). Aerodynamics is a key factor in flight, but it is not the only one. Without controls no vehicle would be capable of taking off. For some vehicles, such as rotorcraft, trim and aerodynamics are the key to flight stability. Hence, we study the relationships between the aerodynamic loads on the aircraft (or parts of it) and the inputs required to maintain a stable flight, perform a manoeuvre, avoid a collision, fly along a prescribed trajectory, etc.
Our core expertise is in aero-flight mechanics of fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft. However, we also deal with non conventional flight vehicles that use alternative means of propulsion and operate at the frontier of flight. At the frontier, vehicles fly without human pilots, at scales previously unimaginable, and external conditions not easily endured by a human being. The last few decades of research have led to a shift in paradigm: from a human-powered flight to a flight vehicle that requires no human intervention, is completely autonomous, or can be controlled remotely.
Our methods rely on rigorous physical modelling. In this context, computer simulation is of strategic importance. Programming a computer to perform complex calculations requires knowledge of software design, development, testing and verification. Intensive tasks require high-performance computing, e.g. software and hardware technology that rely on multiple processors. We have developed and continue to develop computer programs that simulate non linear aerodynamics around streamlined and bluff bodies, flight mechanics of atmospheric vehicles, aircraft noise, gas turbine propulsion, propeller and rotor design, numerical optimization, trajectory analysis, stochastic analysis.
Prospective students please enquire about current research opportunities.
