Tech Xplore: Engineers design a quieter future for drones
UC aerospace engineering students work to dampen noise from drones and flying cars
Tech Xplore highlighted research by aerospace engineering students at the University of Cincinnati to reduce the noise of drones and flying cars.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science assistant professor Daniel Cuppoletti and his students are examining how propellers in different sizes, configurations, number and rotation can affect noise.
Students presented their research at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Science and Technology Forum and Exposition in January.
"I'm looking at noise from a societal impact," Cuppoletti said. "These vehicles have to be imperceptible in the environment they fly in or someone will have to take the brunt of that impact."
Cuppoletti and his students study propeller noise in an anechoic chamber lined with sound-dampening tiles.
Featured image at top: UC aerospace engineering researchers study propeller noise by using laser light to examine air vortices. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science assistant professor Daniel Cuppoletti studies propeller noise in an anechoic chamber in an aerospace engineering lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
Related Stories
Doctoral student exploring first-year engineering experience
June 15, 2026
At the College of Engineering and Applied Science, undergraduate students take a series of first-year foundational and design thinking engineering courses (ENED) to set them up for success in their program. For Madeline Martin, aerospace engineering '24, these courses left a lasting impact. With a passion for teaching and experience as a teaching assistant, Martin chose to pursue a doctoral degree in engineering education at UC. She was recently named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month.
World Cup puts spotlight on immigration policy
June 15, 2026
CNN, NPR's "All Things Considered' turn to UC Professor David Niven to explain how new U.S. immigration policy is colliding with the World Cup.
UC grad and Honda employee helps race team win Indy 500
June 11, 2026
UC engineering graduate JP Suozzi helped driver Felix Rosenqvist win the Indianapolis 500 as a trackside engineer with Honda Racing. While on co-op with Meyer Shank Racing, Suozzi monitored Honda engine performance at the track, contributing to the closest finish in Indy 500 history.