The Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) has organized a program of science outreach activities as part of the 13th European Researchers’ Night, an event held on Friday Sep 30th and Saturday Oct 1st throughout Europe.
The Department of Aerospace Engineering participates to the event proposing the following activities:
“Beyond emissions: How to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft?”

When?
Friday, September 30, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where?
Aerodynamics Laboratory 7.0.H.03. Juan Benet building, UC3M Leganés campus. University Avenue, 30, 28911 Leganés, Madrid. Googlemaps link
Description:
Why is the shape of aircraft important in fuel consumption and the generation of pollutants? In this workshop we will teach you to visualize aerodynamic flows and discover why certain shapes are more efficient. We will carry out flow visualization experiments using smoke for means of transport, especially focused on aviation. In the experiments, the vortices that are generated in the wake of bodies are contemplated in a very visual way and the research that we carry out to reduce aerodynamic resistance and obtain more efficient aircraft will be discussed.
Speakers:
- Stefano Discetti, Professor of the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering at UC3M.
- Carlos Sanmiguel Vila, Senior Scientist at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA).
- Rodrigo Castellanos, research technician at INTA and collaborator of the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering at UC3M.
“Theater and science: beyond well-being”

When? Friday, September 30, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where? UC3M Auditorium. Leganes Campus. How to get?
Scientific popularization show on various aspects related to our well-being, such as water, pollution caused by planes, the health of our cells or the impact of technology on the perception of our body.
In this event, theatrical scenes alternate with talks by UC3M research staff on UC3M scientific projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC).
Information about the scientific projects that will be presented:
Artificial intelligence and aerodynamics: learn to measure and control natural phenomena.
- Stefano Discetti. Dept. Bioing. and Aerospace Engineering from UC3M. ERC NEXTFLOW (Next-generation flow diagnostics for control; GA 949085).
Summary:
We have tried to control some aspects of nature, such as the air, to improve our climatic well-being through various technologies. For example, controlling aerodynamic flows makes it possible to design more efficient plans or bridges that are more resistant to the wind. The challenge now is to measure everything more precisely and learn to control these technologies through Artificial Intelligence, which allows imitating what nature does through techniques such as reinforcement learning or genetic algorithms.
Informational Notes:
- The activities are directed to the general public.
- Reservations of places for the activities should be made using the form you will find at the following link.
- It is possible to reserve starting from September 19 at 9 a.m.
- Doubts and suggestions: oic@uc3m.es.