flow-control

R.D.Prabhu

Almost 2-3 years ago ..there was intense activity in the field of flow-control ..specially related to DRAG - REDUCTION! The argument that even a 1 to 5 percent of Drag-reduction would boost fuel efficiency and save Billions of dollars for the 'automobile/aeronautics' industry was an EYE CATCHER.

Now a days all that enthusiasm seems to have 'fizzled' out..and all the hue and cry about saving billions of dollars..seems to have got silenced.

what happened ? (will someone ..please tell me that all this is WRONG ? I will be happy to learn that.)

If I am right, I am wondering what the major hurdles ARE. Is it with the development of sensors,actuators,controls, or flow-dynamics itself ?

Aren't companies putting their investments into each of these..related areas ? ( If yes ..WHO ARE THEY ?)

I shall be happy to learn about the new-dimensions which this field has assumed.

Prabhu,

RICE UNIVERSITY, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA