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Sarasija Sudharsan
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Iowa State University
Monday, Apr. 14 | 9:35 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: The aviation industry is undergoing significant improvements in aircraft efficiency, driven by technological innovation and evolving performance demands. In this lecture, we will explore the differing performance requirements of military and commercial aircraft—including efficiencies, range, and maneuverability—and how these variations shape engine configuration and design philosophies. Central to our discussion is the Brayton cycle, which underpins modern jet engine operation. By examining the thermodynamic processes of key components—the compressor, combustor, and turbine—we will explore how these elements influence engine performance. We will also discuss how fundamental thermodynamic principles and design constraints inform decisions during the preliminary design phase of an aircraft engine, using specific next-generation aircraft as examples.

Bio: Sarasija Sudharsan is a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University, where she received her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in Spring 2024. Her doctoral research addressed unsteady aerodynamic stall, aimed at improving the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. In Fall 2024, she served as the instructor for an engineering thermodynamics course. She has also engaged with students on topics in aerospace propulsion and turbomachinery, earning the departmental Teaching Excellence Award. As a Regional Energy Innovator at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), she contributed to offshore wind energy research. Prior to joining Iowa State, Sarasija worked as an Aerodynamics Engineer at General Electric (GE) Aviation, where she gained experience in preliminary and detailed design processes for aircraft engines. She was a lead aerodynamic designer on the turbine rear frame of the GE9X commercial engine, where her design contributions led to a patent award for her team. Ìý