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UC Drone Institute

30 June 2026

The UC Drone Institute is one of the leading research groups at UC. We focus on Aerodynamics & Propulsion, Control & Design, Application & Implementation of multi-rotors, as well as fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft [Funding Agency: MBIE (2021-2027), $12.0 M]. In addition to drones, our research also covers wind turbine technology and related fields. Learn more about the UC Drone Institute.

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Collection of drone-related experiments
Collection of drone-related new findings
Explore UCDI: Research, study, and collaboration opportunities

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Current research areas, news, awards, and contacts for our research projects.

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Study options, how to join us, information for Honours, Masters, and PhD students and internships.

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Postgrad opportunities

UCDI has various projects available within the discipline of aircraft aerodynamics and controls.

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Collaborate with us

UCDI partners with leaders in the aviation and drone industries and academic collaborators.

About UCDI

UCDI is a major contributor to technological advances in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in New Zealand.

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Student profiles

Our graduates have gone on to fulfilling careers with UCDI partners, other companies and further study.


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Get in touch with the UC Drone Institute

References section
  • Dougherty, S. C., Oo, N. L., & Zhao, D., 2024. Effects of propeller separation and onset flow condition on the performance of quadcopter propellers. Aerospace Science and Technology, 145, 108837. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2023.108837
  • Liu, X., Zhao, D., & Oo, N. L., 2024. CFD investigation on wind power harvesting from small-scale wind turbines for powering residential buildings in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 55(4), 977-1004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2024.2323488
  • Cheng, H., Zhao, D., Oo, N. L., Liu, X., & Dong, X., 2024. Numerical investigation on intermittent maximum ice accretion and aerodynamic performances of RG-15 aerofoil at low Reynolds number. Aerospace, 11(1), 7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11010007
  • Zhang, Z., Liu, X., Zhao, D., Post, S., Chen J., 2023. Overview of the development and application of wind energy in New Zealand. Energy and Built Environment, 4(6), 725-742. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbenv.2022.06.009
  • Oo, N. L., Zhao, D., Sellier, M., & Liu, X., 2023. Experimental investigation on turbulence effects on unsteady aerodynamics performances of two horizontally placed small-size UAV rotors. Aerospace Science and Technology, 141, 108535. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2023.108535
  • Liu, X., Zhao, D., & Oo, N. L., 2023. Comparison studies on aerodynamic performances of a rotating propeller for small-size UAVs. Aerospace Science and Technology, 133, 108148. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2023.108148
  • Dougherty, S. C., Barr, C., Nankivell, T., Goggin, Z., Oo, N. L., & Zhao, D., 2023. Optimizing Propeller Separation Distance to Enhance Multi-rotor UAV Aerodynamics. AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, 2023-4462. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-4462
  • Liu, X., Zhao, D., & Oo, N. L., 2023. Experimental and numerical studies of the multirotor overlapping effect on aerodynamic performances of small-size UAVs. AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, 2023-4463. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-4463
  • Liu, X., Zhao, D., & Oo, N. L., 2022. Numerical prediction of the power coefficient improvements of three laterally aligned Savonius wind turbines above a forward facing step. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 228, 105112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2022.105112
  • Rubin, R. L., Zhao, D.2022, Identifying the propeller transition to wing-like behavior at high angles of incidence, AIAA Journal, 60(4), 2308-2323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J060932
  • Rubin, R. L., Zhao, D.2022, New development of classical actuator disk model for propellers at incidence, AIAA Journal, 59(3), 1040-1054. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J059734

 

 


UC Drone Institute

Civil Mechanical Engineering Building
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand

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