Evaluating the Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Performance of Airfoil Geometries for Transmedium Applications Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This study examines the impact of a foil’s geometry on its efficiency in water and air to determine the optimal foil geometry for transmedium applications. Currently, there is no published research investigating the optimal transmedium foil geometry or comparing foil efficiency in air and water. This study intends to lay the groundwork for further research surrounding transmedium foils. The lift-to-drag ratios, lift coefficients, and drag coefficients were collected using NASA’s simulation tool, FoilSim. Foils with diverse cambers and thicknesses were selected from the NACA four-digit family and tested in water and air at angles from 0° to 15° and speeds of 25 mph to 100 mph. The NACA 2408 was found to be the most efficient foil in four of the six scenarios, making it the optimal geometry for transmedium applications. The NACA 0008 was found to be the optimal geometry for a 5° angle of attack, and the NACA 0012 was determined to be the optimal geometry for 10° and 15° angles of attack. Developing research on transmedium foil geometries will enhance the viability of transmedium vehicles, which scientists and militaries worldwide are exploring for their applications in oceanography, warfare, and other fields. Additionally, the broad range of data tested in this study aims to narrow the scope that future researchers need to investigate to find the optimal transmedium geometry, allowing for more precise manipulation of variables while avoiding overly cumbersome data volumes.