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Jai Ahuja

Research Engineer II
Advanced Configurations Division

Dr. Jai Ahuja is a Research Engineer II in ASDL’s Advanced Configurations Division. His research interests are in multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization, specifically in propulsion-airframe integration and aerodynamic shape optimization. His research exposure spans multiple advanced technologies and configurations such as boundary layer ingestion, overwing nacelles, transonic truss braced wing concepts, commercial supersonic transports, blended wing body aircraft, etc.

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Aerospace Engineering, 2020, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, 2017, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Dual Major), 2015, Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (Sponsor: NASA)

  • Role: Technical Lead - Blended Wing Body Aircraft System Modeling (JetA and LH2 variants)
  • Project overview: System level studies of several advanced configurations and alternate fuel sources for a 2030s timeframe replacement of current tube and wing aircraft

Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (Sponsor: DARPA)

  • Role: Technical Contributor - CFD and CAD
  • Project overview: Conceptual design proposal of an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle leveraging active flow control for performance enhancement

Zero Impact Aviation (Sponsor: NASA)

  • Role: Technical Lead - CFD and Aerodynamic Optimization
  • Project overview: System level modeling and high-fidelity aerodynamic/structural optimization of the blended wing body and strut-braced wing liquid hydrogen powered concepts

Overwing Engine Placement Evaluation (Sponsor: FAA)

  • Role: Technical Contributor: CFD, Aerodynamic Optimization, Propulsion System Modeling
  • Project overview: RANS CFD based propulsion-airframe integration study for the overwing nacelle design space

Supersonic Transport Modeling (Sponsor: FAA)

  • Role: Technical Lead - CFD and Aerodynamic Optimization
  • Project overview: Conceptual design proposals of a fleet of supersonic commerical transport aircraft involving both high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization and system level modeling

Parametric Noise Modeling for Boundary Layer Ingesting Propulsors (Sponsor: FAA)

  • Role: Technical Contributor - CFD and CAD support
  • Project overview: Development of a parametric noise model for a tailcone mounted boundary layer ingesting propulsor

Jet Noise Modeling To Support Low Noise Supersonic Aircraft Technology Development (Sponsor: FAA)

  • Role: Technical Contributor
  • Project overview: Development of a supersonic inlet performance prediction code as part of an effort to analyze changes in inlet design on overall vehicle performance and noise footprint

Journal Papers

  1. Ahuja, J., Renganathan, S. A., and Mavris, D. N. Sensitivity Analysis of the Over-Wing Nacelle Design Space, Journal of Aircraft, 2022. Link to PDF
  2. Ahuja, J., and Mavris, D. N. Conceptual Design of a Boundary Layer Ingesting Aircraft Capturing Aero-Propulsive Coupling, Journal of Aircraft, 2022. Link to PDF
  3. Renganathan, S. A., Maulik, R., and Ahuja, J. Enhanced Data Efficiency using Deep Neural Networks and Gaussian Processes for Aerodynamic Design Optimization, Aerospace Science and Technology, 2021. Link to PDF

Conference Papers

  1. Baltman, E. M., Tai, J. C., Ahuja, J., Stewart, B., Perron, C., De Azevedo, J. H., Vlady, T., and Mavris, D.N. A Methodology for Determining the Interdependence of Fuel Burn and LTO Noise of a Commercial Supersonic Transport, AIAA Aviation Forum. Chicago, IL, 2022. Link to PDF
  2. Ahuja, J., and Mavris, D. N. A Method for Modeling the Aero-Propulsive Coupling Characteristics of BLI Aircraft in Conceptual Design, AIAA SciTech Forum. 2021. Link to PDF
  3. Ahuja, J., and Mavris, D. N. Assessment of Propulsor On-Design and Off-Design Impacts on BLI Effects, AIAA SciTech Forum. 2021. Link to PDF
  4. Ahuja, J., and Mavris, D. N. Sensitivity of Boundary Layer Ingestion Effects to Tube and Wing Airframe Design Features, AIAA SciTech Forum. Orlando, FL, 2020. Link to PDF
  5. Pokhrel, M., Shi, M., Ahuja, J., Gladin, J. C., and Mavris, D. N. Conceptual Design of a BLI Propulsor Capturing Aero-Propulsive Coupling and Distortion Impacts, AIAA SciTech Forum. San Diego, CA, 2019. Link to PDF
  6. Ahuja, J., Renganathan, S. A., Berguin, S. H., and Mavris, D. N. Multidisciplinary Analysis of Aero-Propulsive Coupling for the OWN Concept, AIAA Aviation Forum. Atlanta, GA, 2018. Link to PDF
  7. Berguin, S. H., Renganathan, S. A., Ahuja, J., Chen, M., Tai, J., and Mavris, D. N. Sensitivity Analysis of Aero-Propulsive Coupling for Over-Wing-Nacelle Concepts, AIAA SciTech Forum. Kissimmee, FL, 2018. Link to PDF
  8. Lewe, J.H., Duncan, S., Song, K., Oh, S., Solano, D., Yarbasi, E., Ahuja, J., Johnston, H., and Mavris, D. N. A Comprehensive Energy Monitoring Environment for District Energy Grid Systems, Propulsion and Energy Forum. Atlanta, GA, 2017. Link to PDF
  9. Harish, A., Perron, C., Bavaro, D., Ahuja, J., Ozcan, M., Justin, C., Briceno, S., German, B., and Mavris, D. N. Economics of Advanced Thin-Haul Concepts and Operations, AIAA Aviation Forum. Washington, D.C., 2016. Link to PDF

Reports

  • Berguin, S. H., Renganathan, S. A., Ahuja, J., Chen, M., Perron, C., Tai, J., and Mavris, D. N. CFD Study of an Over-Wing Nacelle Configuration, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018. Link to PDF

Doctoral Dissertation

  • Ahuja, J. A Methodology For Capturing the Aero-Propulsive Coupling Characteristics of Boundary Layer Ingesting Aircraft in Conceptual Design, Ph.D. Thesis, School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 2020 Link to PDF