Aerospace Research awarded with a Prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has received significant international recognition by securing two Consolidator Grants from the European Research Council (ERC). These grants, part of the Horizon Europe program, provide nearly €4 million to support pioneering research projects. The recipients are Professor Andrea Ianiro, from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and Professor Ignacio Jurado, from the Department of Social Sciences.

Nature-Inspired Innovation for Sustainable Transportation

Professor Andrea Ianiro will lead the Spandrels project, which tackles one of the biggest challenges in aerodynamics: predicting and controlling turbulence. This phenomenon significantly impacts vehicle design and emissions, making it a key factor for sustainable transportation.

With €2 million in funding, Spandrels aims to innovate vehicle design by reducing reliance on large volumes of data and enhancing environmental sustainability. Inspired by the natural sensors found in insect wings, capable of detecting small variations in airflow, the project seeks to develop biomimetic sensors to efficiently manage turbulence. By combining fluid mechanics and machine learning, these sensors promise to reduce aerodynamic drag and revolutionize transportation systems.

A Commitment to Research Excellence

These prestigious Consolidator Grants highlight UC3M’s commitment to cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines. The success of Andrea Ianiro and Ignacio Jurado strengthens the university’s leadership in addressing both technological and societal challenges. Over the next five years, these projects will make significant contributions to advancing knowledge in aerospace innovation and democratic resilience.