Dennis Román | Project Portfolio

HyTech on-track context for the aerodynamic development work.

Why this is one project

While I've worked on two aero packages for two different competition cycles, the lessons learned in one cycle are important for the next. This consolidated view captures the progression and technical continuity across cycles.

This project forms part of my involvement in Georgia Tech's student-run Formula SAE electric program being HyTech Racing.

Third-element (rear aero) optimization (2024-2025): Third-element flow behavior and influence on local aerodynamic performance. Key output: comparative contour evidence used to decide which geometry direction to pursue next.
Side-aero package study (2025-2026): Baseline vs variant package performance under matched comparison framing. Key output: consistent trend direction for package iteration.
Composites manufacturing support (2024-2026): Carbon-fiber aero part fabrication workflow and implementation readiness. Key output: aero hardware build context aligned with design/analysis intent.

Evaluated interactions between front wing, side aero, rear wing, and radiator cooling systems.
Tested performance across yaw and pitch conditions to assess package behavior under dynamic track conditions.

Tested interactions between the third element and the first and second existing front-wing elements.
Focused on local flow behavior changes near the third element and adjacent features to optimize element spacing and geometry.

Added manufacturing-side support for carbon-fiber aero hardware, including bagging/fabrication workflow participation.
Helped connect analysis intent to physical part execution by supporting build-readiness context.

All CFD systems run on Georgia Tech's HPC cluster with careful attention to computational cost due to credit constraints.
Used half-car models with standard FSAE/motorsport CFD assumptions: viscous sublayer resolution, moving ground plane, rotating wheels, and appropriate turbulence modeling for vehicle aerodynamics.

Involved in validation systems using pressure sensors, load sensors, and mathematical representations using physical sensor data to validate CFD results with real-world testing.
Personally developed Cp (pressure coefficient), drag, and downforce validation systems.
Assisted other sub-teams (Power and Suspension) with their own validation data analysis.
Conducted low, mid, and high downforce testing to optimize multiple settings for maximum efficiency across different competition configurations.

Ability to translate CFD outputs into practical design decisions under team constraints.
Strong comparison discipline for motorsport aero iteration loops plus manufacturing awareness.
Clear communication of engineering outcome without exposing full internal thought process.