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Yakeno Lab
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The lab investigates hypersonic flows through mathematics, computation, and experiments.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding and controlling flow mechanisms for next-generation aerospace vehicles.
The Yakeno Lab studies thermofluid phenomena that are key to aerospace vehicles, such as hypersonic flows and the laminar-turbulent transition within them.
By combining mathematical science, state-of-the-art numerical computation, and experimental techniques, the lab tackles flow phenomena that are difficult to predict.
The lab is conducting research to demonstrate drag reduction by distributed micro-roughness (DMR), a patented technology.
Using one of the world's largest magnetic suspension and balance systems and a ballistic range, the lab works to create technologies for reusable rockets and practical hypersonic vehicles.
Key terms
- Hypersonic
- Speeds above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound)
- Laminar-turbulent transition
- When smooth, orderly laminar flow changes into turbulent flow with fine, irregular fluctuations
- Magnetic suspension and balance system
- A device that levitates a model in a wind tunnel using electromagnetic force and measures aerodynamic forces without any influence from support struts
NewsLab news
Paper on drag reduction by micro-roughness published online in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Paper on nonlinear optimal external forcing analysis of flow around an airfoil published online in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Paper on predicting vortex shedding using machine learning published in Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
Work from magnetic suspension and balance system experiments selected as a finalist in the Science Photo Contest
Researcher selected for the top award (Fluid Dynamics category) at the 57th Fluid Dynamics Conference
ResearchResearch themes
Behind phenomena such as aircraft stall, wind turbine noise, and heat loads on hypersonic vehicles lies the property of "bifurcation" hidden in the governing equations of the flow. By combining theory developed with mathematicians, world-class numerical computation, and support-free experiments, the lab works on predicting and controlling flows.
*Illustrative imageComputational Fluid Dynamics and Fluid Physics Theory
Using large-scale DNS and LES, the lab clarifies how smooth flows turn into turbulent flows around swept wings and hypersonic vehicles. With models treated with its original distributed micro-roughness (DMR), it has demonstrated a large drag reduction in a specific range of flow speeds.
*Illustrative imageData Science and AI-Based Flow Analysis
Predicting complex unsteady phenomena such as vortex shedding has required enormous computational cost. Together with Prof. Sandberg of the University of Melbourne, the lab is researching how to have AI learn physical laws on its own in order to greatly speed up analysis.
*Illustrative imageNext-Generation Aerodynamic Experiments
The lab has a 1 m magnetic suspension and balance system that levitates a model without touching anything, and a ballistic range that launches models using gunpowder or high-pressure gas. It works on measuring aerodynamic forces free of flow disturbance from support struts, and on measuring surface heat flux during flight above Mach 5.
*Illustrative imageControlling Heat and Flow in Extreme Environments
The lab is moving into the area of integrated control of aerodynamics, heat, and electricity. Through the proposed ADMR, it aims to reduce drag and aerodynamic heating in hypersonic flight, protect against communication blackout during reentry, and develop materials that retain their structure even after burn damage.
MembersFaculty
The Yakeno Lab's members consist of faculty, researchers, technical staff, administrative and technical assistants, graduate and undergraduate students, research students, and visiting special research students from overseas.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorAiko Yakeno
- ProfessorShigeru Obayashi
- Project Assistant ProfessorKento Inokuma
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “JAXA 1.27m Hypersonic Wind Tunnel P4223597” Kestrel / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics and Fluid Physics Theory: “Flow-vector-heat-sink-fluid-WBG” Novel Concepts Inc / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Data Science and AI-Based Flow Analysis: “221206-F-KN521-2020” U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett / Public domain (cropped)
- Next-Generation Aerodynamic Experiments: “Model in Supersonic Wind Tunnel GPN” NACA / Public domain (cropped)
- Controlling Heat and Flow in Extreme Environments: “Space Shuttle Columbia launching” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (深見 研究室): “CFD Orbiter Model - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (齋藤(勇) 研究室): “Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Test Firing - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (永井・伊神 研究室): “Mars 2020 spacecraft thermal vacuum test PIA23263- D G2775 (cropped)” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (船本 研究室): “Microfluidic Reservoir” Kimbalm / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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