OU Professor Takes Lead in Building High-speed Aerothermodynamics Lab
Hiroshi Ozawa, Ph.D., a new faculty member in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, is taking the lead in building a high-speed aerothermodynamics lab on OU’s North Campus. High-speed aerothermodynamics includes hypersonics and plays a key role in the aerospace industry, the second largest industry in Oklahoma.
Ozawa’s research is in experimental hypersonics which accelerates designs and applications in hypersonic vehicles, defense and commercial markets, and space transportation. Hypersonic – moving at a speed greatly in excess of the speed of sound, usually meaning greater than Mach 5 – translates into traveling at 60 miles per minute. Understanding flow behavior and heating load at this speed help in the design of fast-moving aircraft that reduces flight duration.
Ozawa joined OU in 2021 bringing with him an impressive background. His experience includes stints at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Nagoya University and Honda.