Challenges and Advances in Boundary Layer Control on Aerodynamic Flow
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Boundary layer control (BLC) is essential for enhancing an aircraft's overall performance, stability, and efficiency. It contributes to increased lift generation, decreased drag, and improved flying stability when controlled appropriately. The review outlines the challenges and recent advances in BLC techniques within the context of aerodynamic flow. This is to provide a clear understanding of advantages and limitations associated with different BLC strategies. The traditional BLC techniques, including suction, blowing, and vortex generators, have limitations and drawbacks that can cause major repercussions. The review compares the modern developments in BLC while high-lighted key challenges such as energy cost, durability and scalability. Suggestions for future improvement include hybrid control systems that combine passive and active elements, model predictive control (MPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and real-time monitoring via the Internet of Things (IoT) to overcome these constraints. From this comparative and forward-looking approach, a better airplane performance and sustainability flying can be resulted through increasingly intelligent and effective BLC systems.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
A. Hujjatul, H. Luqman, B. Aris and B. Agus, “Design of Diver Propulsion Vehicle Ganendra RI-1Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation,” Marin.. and Underwat. Sci. Technol., vol 1, no. 2, pp. 55-60, 2015.
D. Kalvaitis, “Fundamental of Aerodynamics for Pilots,” BAA Training Vietnam, 2024. [Available online on August 2024] https://rev.baatraining.com/blog/fundamentals-of-aerodynamics-for-pilots.
J. D. Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, 6th Edn. McGraw-Hill Education, pp. 997-1000, 2017.
F. Bouderbala, “Passive Flow Control Around A NACA4415 Airfoil by Means of Vortex Generators,” Int. J. Fluid Mechanic. Res., vol 52, no. 1, pp. 1-16, 2025.
H., Shi, “Effect of the Reynolds Number and Clearance Flow on The Aerodynamic Characteristics of A New Variable Inlet Guide Vane,” Aerospace, vol. 8, no. 7, pp. 172, 2021.
D. P. Giacomo, B. Matteo, M. Davide, S. Francesco and B. Matteo, “Direct Numerical Simulation of Supersonic Boundary Layers Over A Microramp: Effect of The Reynolds Number,” Phys.: Fluid Dyn., arXiv:2305.10268, 2023.
D. Xu, Y. Gu, X. Gao, Z. Ren and J. Chen, “Experimental Investigation on Boundary Layer Control and Pressure Performance for Low Reynolds Flow with Chemical Reaction,” Appl. Sci., vol. 13, no. 20, pp. 11335, 2023.
G. Julian, L. Thibault, S. M. Robert, G. Pierre and B. Reynald, “Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Porous Bleed Control for Supersonic/Subsonic Flows, and Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions,” Phys.: Fluid Dyn., arXiv:2312.02951, 2023.
J. G. Leishman, Introduction to Aerospace Flight Vehicles, 2nd Edn., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2023.
P. Wang, Q. Liu, C. Li, W. Miao, M. Yue and Z. Xu, “Investigation of The Aerodynamic Characteristics of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Using An Active Flow Control Method via Boundary Layer Suction,” Renew. Ener., vol. 198, pp. 1032-1048, 2022.
F. Seel, T. Lutz and E. Kramer, "Numerical Study of The Unsteady Blade Root Aerodynamics of A 2 MW Wind Turbine Equipped with Vortex Generators,” Wind Ener. Sci., vol. 8, pp. 1369 – 1385, 2023.
N. Beck, T. Landa, A. Seitz, L. Boermans, Y. Liu and R. Radespiel, “Drag Reduction by Laminar Flow Control,” Energies, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 252, 2018.
I. Dagal, B. Erol, Harrison, A., W. F. Mbasso and Al-W. Ibrahim, “Enhancing Dynamic Control and Stability Assessment of Cessna 172 Aircraft with a PID Controller for New Pilot Trainees,” Int. J. Aeronautic. Space Sci., https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-025-00899-6, 2025.
Q. Sun et al., “Suppression of Flow Separation of A High-Lift Wing with Active Flow Control,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 159, pp. 110017, 2025.
X. Li, Y. Zhang and J. Wang, “Research on The Performance of Active-Passive Combined Thermal Protection Systems for High-Speed Aircraft,” Int. J. Heat and Mass Transf., vol. 180, pp. 121234, 2025.
Y. Zhang, X. Li and J. Wang, “Investigation of Blowing and Suction for Turbulent Flow Control on A Flat Plate,” Int. J. Heat and Fluid Flow, vol. 99, pp. 109123, 2025.
L. Li, Y. Liang and Z. Tian, Numerical Investigations of Outer-Layer Turbulent Boundary Layer Control for Drag Reduction Through Micro Fluidic-jet Actuators,” Aerosp. Res. Commun., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 12506, 2024.
A. Sahoo, A. K. Ravishankara, W. Yu, D. Ragni and C. S. Ferreira, “Modelling Vortex Generators Effects on Turbulent Boundary Layers with Integral Boundary Layer Equations,” Wind Ener. Sci. Discuss., Preprint wes-2025-69, 2025.
S. Abdolahipour, “Review on Flow Separation Control: Effects of Excitation Frequency and Momentum Coefficient,” Front. Mechanic. Engin., vol. 10, pp. 1380675, 2024.
M. Y. Andino, L. T. G. Pack Melton, M. Koklu and J. Hannon, “Active Flow Control Enhanced Aileron of the High-Lift Common Research Model,” in AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2025-1491, 2025.
A. Wissa, G. Sedky and D. Lentink, “Airplanes of The Future Could Be Fitted with Feather-Like Flaps”, Wired, 2025. [Available online on 5 March 2025] https://www.wired.com/story/airplanes-of-the-future-could-be-fitted-with-feather-like-flaps/.
N. Kubo, S. Bhandari, M. Tanaka, T. Nonomura and H. Kawabata, “Experimental Parametric Study on Flow Separation Control Mechanisms around NACA0015 Airfoil using A Plasma Actuator with Burst Actuation over Reynolds Numbers of 105–106,” Appl. Sci., vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 4652, 2024.
M. Yu, Z. Tao, H. Li and P. Tang, “Optimizing the Landing Stability of Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft with Distributed Electric Boundary-Layer Ingestion Propulsors through A Novel Thrust Control Configuration,” Appl. Sci., vol. 14, no. 18, pp. 8546, 2024.
H. Gao, Y. Liu and T. Zhang, “Suppression of Flow Separation of A High-Lift Wing with Active Flow Control,” Europ. J. Mechanic. - B/Fluids, vol. 94, pp. 1–12. 2025.
V. Mosca and A. Elham, “Investigations on The Potentials of Novel Technologies for Aircraft Fuel Burn Reduction through Aerostructural Optimisation,” Aerospace, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 744, 2022.
W. B. Gan, Z. J. Zuo, J. W. Xiang, Z. L. Zhao, J. Cai and M. A, Shang, “Research Progress on Dynamic Stability of Rotating Variant Wing Opening and Closing Process for Aircraft,” J. Beijing Univ. Aeronaut. and Astronaut., vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 1053-1064, 2024.
F. Oz and K. Kara, “Controlling Hypersonic Boundary Layer Transition with Localized Cooling and Meta-Surfaces,” Sci. Rep., vol. 14, pp. 15928, 2024.
H. Chang, “Design Considerations and Strategies for Improving Passenger Comfort through Aeroacoustics,” J. Aeronaut. & Aerosp. Eng., vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 342, 2024.
J. Bouwens, L. Fasulo, S. H. V, Mastrigt, U. W. Schultheis, A. Naddeo and P. Vink, “Being in Control of Noise Levels Improves The Perception of Airplane Seat Comfort,” Aviat. Phycol. and Human Fact., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2021.
L. Halawi, M. Miller and S. Holley, “Beyond The Blue Skies: A Comprehensive Guide for Risk Assessment in Aviation,” Aeronaut. – Character. and Emer. Technol., IntechOpen, pp. 1006687, 2024.
P. Veillette, “Structural Integrity Factors Can Cause Premature Failure, Part 3,” Aviation Week Network, 2023.
S. Gu, C. Breard, Y. Cen, X. Song and Y. Sun, “Wall Pressure Fluctuation on The Aircraft Fuselage: Part 2 Impact of Sensor Wake on the Spectrum,” in Asia-Pacific Int. Symp. Aerosp. Technol. Proc., vol. 1050. Springer, Singapore, 2024.
B. D Corte, M. Sluis, A. G. Rao and L. L. Veldhuis, “Aerodynamics Performance of An Aircraft with Aft-Fuselage Boundary-Layer-Ingestion Propulsion,” AIAA Aviation 2021 Forum., AIAA 2021-2467, 2021.
G. Fahland, M. Atzori, A. Frede, A. Stroh, B. Frohnapfel and D. Gatti, “Drag Assessment for Boundary Layer Control Schemes with Mass Injection,” Flow Turbul. Combust., vol. 113, pp. 119–138, 2024.
G. Fahland, A. Stroh, B. Frohnapfel, M. Atzori, R. Vinuesa, P. Schlatter and D. Gatti, “Investigation of Blowing and Suction for Turbulent Flow Control on Airfoils,” AIAA Journal, vol. 59, no. 11, 2021.
J. Svorcan, J. M. Wang and K.P.Griffin, “Current and Future Trends in Boundary Layer Control on Lifting Surfaces,” Adv. Mechanic. Eng., vol. 14, no. 7, 2022.
W. Liu, X. Fan, D. Huang and Y. Chen, “Effect of Adverse Pressure Gradients on Drag Reduction by Opposition Control in Turbulent Boundary Layers,” Phys.: Fluid Dyn., arXiv:2408.15588, 2024.
X. X, Ji., X. L. Li, F. L. Tong and C. P. Yu, “Large Eddy Simulation of Shock Wave/Turbulent Boundary Layer Interaction under Incipient and Fully Separated Conditions,” Phys. Fluids, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 046106, 2023.
A. Prasannakumar, A. Sudhi, A. Seitz and C. Badrya, “Design of Hybrid-Laminar-Flow-Control Wing and Suction System for Transonic Midrange Aircraft,” JA Aircraft, vol. 61, no. 3, 2023.
A. Jariwala, A. Burtsev, S. Suryanarayanan, E. Bakolas and D. B. Goldstein, “Model Predictive Control of Large-Scale Motions for Separated Flow Over An Airfoil,” AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2025-1302, 2025.
Z. Wu, P. Christofides, W. Wu, Y. Wang, F. Abdullah, A. Alnajdi and Y. Kadakia, “A Tutorial Review of Machine Learning-Based Model Predictive Control Methods,” Rev. Chem. Eng., vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 359–400, 2025.
J. N. Yu, D. W. Fan and Y. Zhou, “Artificial Intelligence Control of Turbulent Boundary Layer Based on Distributed Synthetic Jets,” Fluid-Structure-Sound Interact. and Contr., Singapore, pp. 247–252, 2024.
R. Chen, P. Wang, B. Lin, L. Wang, X. Zeng, X. Hu, J. Yuan, J. Li, J. Ren, and H. Zhao, “An Optimized Lightweight Real-time Detection Network Model for IoT Embedded Devices,” Sci. Rep., vol. 15, pp. 3839, 2025.
O. Khattach, O. Moussaoui and M. Hassine, “End-to-End Architecture for Real-time IoT Analytics and Predictive Maintenance using Stream Processing and ML Pipelines,” Sensors, vol. 25, no. 9, pp. 2945, 2025.
J. Xu, W. Wan, L. Pan, W. Sun and Y. Liu, “The Fusion of Deep Reinforcement Learning and Edge Computing for Real-time Monitoring and Control Optimization in IoT Environments,” Netw. Intern. Architect., arXiv:2403.07923, 2024.
R. Zhao, J. Jiang, H. Feng, T. Liu, W. Wang, M. Shen, D. Chen and Y. Wang, “Researches on Vortex Generators Applied to Wind Turbines: A Review,” Ocean Eng., vol. 253, pp. 111266, 2022.
K. Telli, O. Kraa, Y. Himeur, A. Ouamane, M. Boumehraz, S. Atalla and W. Mansoor, “A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research Trends on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),” Systems, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 400, 2023.
S. C. Künnecke, S. Vasista, J. Riemenschneider, R. Keimer and M. Kintscher, “Review of Adaptive Shock Control Systems,” Appl. Sci., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 817, 2021.
R. Mulligan, “Bio-inspired Aerofoils for Small Wind Turbines,” Renew. Ener. Pow. Qual. J., vol. 18, no. 6, 753-758, 2020.