At the CoRe Flow Lab, we advance the measurement, modeling, and control of complex reacting fluid flows to address critical challenges in aerospace engineering, energy generation, and sustainability. Our research centers on high-temperature, high-speed flow environments—particularly those relevant to hypersonic flight, earth reentry, and interplanetary reentry. These flows often involve plasmas—ionized, chemically reactive gases—under nonequilibrium conditions that pose unique scientific and engineering challenges. We investigate the experimental generation of such plasmas in ground-based test facilities and conduct detailed measurements to characterize their composition, thermal state, and kinetic processes. Our research also explores how these extreme flows interact with the thermal protection systems of hypersonic vehicles and spacecraft.
Beyond aerospace applications, our work extends to plasma processes in fusion reactors, plasma-assisted combustion (including hydrogen and ammonia as alternative fuels), plasma-based space propulsion, semiconductor manufacturing, catalytic processes, and biomedical engineering solutions enabled by nonequilibrium plasmas.
To push the boundaries of our scientific understanding, we utilize advanced optical and laser spectroscopic measurement techniques — including spontaneous and coherent Raman scattering, laser-induced fluorescence, and emission spectroscopy. These tools reveal the hidden structures of particle motion, chemical reactions, and energy exchange, from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale. Our approach is elevated by cutting-edge data science, using Bayesian inference and machine learning—such as convolutional neural networks—to extract deeper insights, quantify uncertainties, and bridge experimental data with physical models in unprecedented ways.
At the CoRe Flow Lab, we’re not just solving technical problems—we are redefining the limits of what is possible in aerospace engineering and beyond. Our mission is to develop technologies that make hypersonic flight and reentry safer and more efficient, open new avenues for sustainable space travel, and revolutionize how we generate and utilize energy. We believe that scientific innovation, grounded in a deep understanding of fundamental processes, is key to shaping a better, more connected, and more prosperous future for humanity.
We are a passionate and collaborative team, committed to curiosity, creativity, and impact. If you're an undergraduate or graduate student driven by bold ideas and a desire to make a difference, we invite you to join us. We want to explore new frontiers together, challenge conventional limits, and help build a future where the boundaries of Earth and space are only the beginning.
This webpage will be updated on a regular basis to reflect our research progress and to inform you off new developments. Join us on our journey to innovate, collaborate, and push the boundaries of aerospace engineering. For inquiries or opportunities, please contact Dr. Dan Fries at dan.fries@uky.edu.
