Advancing aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and noise control.

AANTC — the Aerodynamics, Acoustics and Noise Control Technology Centre at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology — combines fundamental research, advanced experiments and numerical simulation to improve aircraft, low-altitude mobility and sports performance.

Numerical simulation of flow structures around a multi-rotor aircraft.

The Centre combines experimental, computational and theoretical research for aircraft, propulsion and low-altitude flight, alongside sports aerodynamics. Its facilities and in-house tools connect physical mechanisms with practical engineering decisions.

Professor Xin Zhang

Swire Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Chair Professor at HKUST; Director of the Aerodynamics and Acoustics Facility. His research covers unsteady aerodynamics, aircraft and propulsion noise, predictive methods and noise control.

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Professor Xin Zhang
Professor Xin Zhang leads AANTC's connected programme in aerodynamics and aeroacoustics.

Fundamental research

We investigate the physical mechanisms that govern complex flows, aerodynamic loading, sound generation and propagation.

  • Unsteady aerodynamics
  • Flow-generated sound
  • Acoustic source localisation
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Circular microphone array under green laser illumination beside a wind-tunnel test section
A circular microphone array under controlled illumination supports aerodynamic noise-source investigation.

Advanced experiments

Purpose-built aerodynamic and acoustic facilities connect controlled measurements with full-system behaviour.

  • Wind-tunnel testing
  • Microphone arrays and source imaging
  • Rotor and aircraft noise measurement
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Drone and measurement equipment inside an anechoic chamber
A full-scale drone measurement arrangement inside the anechoic chamber.

Numerical simulation

AANTC uses high-fidelity computation to examine aerodynamic loads, rotor wakes and airframe interactions around its scaled eVTOL demonstrator.

  • Scaled eVTOL demonstrator
  • Rotor wake development
  • Rotor–airframe interaction
View low-altitude aircraft research
Computed flow structures around AANTC's scaled eVTOL demonstrator
Flow visualisation from AANTC's scaled eVTOL demonstrator simulation.

Engineering applications

Research methods are translated into quieter flight, noise-aware urban mobility and evidence-led performance analysis.

  • Aircraft and rotor systems
  • Low-altitude air mobility
  • Sports Aerodynamics
View sports aerodynamics research
Cyclist undergoing aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel
Wind-tunnel testing supports aerodynamic analysis of cycling posture and equipment.

Research across four connected fields.

Aerodynamic test facility with an installed model

Aerodynamics

Experimental and computational methods for complex aerodynamic flows, vehicle loads and performance.

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Circular microphone array installed beside a wind-tunnel test section

Aeroacoustics

Prediction, measurement and control of aerodynamic noise from aircraft, propulsion and rotor systems.

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Experimental platforms and predictive tools.

Low-noise low-speed wind tunnel facility with an installed test model

Wind-tunnel and aerodynamic testing

Controlled flow environments for vehicles, components, athletes and equipment.

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CFD flow visualisation around a racing cyclist

Simulation and prediction

Numerical solvers and engineering tools for flow, noise and performance analysis.

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Research evidence and institutional context.

AANTC outcomes

37 Research project records View projects
154 Publication records View publications
22 Facilities & software records View facilities & software

HKUST rankings

33 QS World University Rankings 2027 Official source
40 QS Engineering & Technology worldwide, 2026 Official source
1 Engineering & Technology in Hong Kong, QS 2026 Official source

Work with AANTC.

Discuss academic collaboration, industrial research, postgraduate study or access to specialist experimental and computational capability.