معرفی
Alex Zanotti is an Associate Professor of Fluid Dynamics at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology of Politecnico di Milano, where he also earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Rotary Wing Aircraft, respectively. He leads key research and teaching initiatives in experimental and computational aerodynamics, serving as Scientific Coordinator of the Aerodynamics Laboratory and Deputy Head of the Scientific Council of the Politecnico di Milano Wind Tunnel.
- Ph.D. in Rotary Wing Aircraft, Politecnico di Milano (2012)
- M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (2006)
His research focuses on the fluid dynamics of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles, particularly eVTOLs, with emphasis on interactional aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. He investigates phenomena such as propeller-propeller, propeller-wing, blade-vortex interactions, and vortex ring state across the flight envelope. His work integrates wind tunnel experiments with mid-fidelity simulations using DUST, a vortex-particle-method based solver he coordinates.
The recent articles reflect a consistent trend in multi-propeller aerodynamic interactions, noise prediction, and validation of computational tools against experimental data. Topics span from fundamental vortex dynamics to applied urban air mobility vehicle design, with strong emphasis on performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. The integration of simulation and testing is a hallmark of his research approach.
Scientific Roles and Leadership:
- Scientific Coordinator, Aerodynamics Laboratory, Politecnico di Milano
- Deputy Head, Scientific Council, Politecnico di Milano Wind Tunnel
- Scientific Coordinator, DUST mid-fidelity aerodynamic solver
- Instructor, Experimental Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics of Transport Vehicles (M.Sc. Aeronautical Engineering)
While no formal awards or student names are mentioned, his leadership in lab operations, software development, and advanced teaching suggests an active supervisory role in graduate research. His work supports the development of next-generation urban air mobility systems through rigorous aerodynamic and acoustic analysis.
He is involved in advanced research infrastructure and is likely engaged in national and international collaborations related to AAM certification and design. His future work may focus on scaling simulation capabilities, integrating machine learning for flow prediction, and expanding experimental databases for regulatory frameworks.
