Yiyang Sun

Assistant Professor

212 Link Hall

ysun58@syr.edu

315-443-1395

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. Florida State University, Tallahassee, 2017
  • B.S. Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 2012

Areas of Expertise:

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Flow Control
  • Unsteady Aerodynamics
  • Modal Analysis 

Dr. Sun’s research interests focus on understanding the underlying physics of fluid flows and designing physics-driven control strategies using high-fidelity numerical simulations, modal/non-modal analysis, and data science. The ability to control fluid flow behaviors can lead to quiet, economical, and efficient systems in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. Because of high dimensionality, strong nonlinearity, and complexity in fluid physics, the design of effective control strategies can be challenging. Dr. Sun’s research focuses on uncovering the underlying physics of complex fluid flows using the cutting-edge techniques of modal analysis, such as modal decomposition, stability analysis, and resolvent analysis. The insights obtained from these analyses provide guidance for physics-driven control designs. 

Honors and Awards:

  • Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award, Syracuse University, 2025
  • AFOSR Young Investigator Award, 2024
  • Amelia Earhart Fellow, Zonta International, 2016

Selected Publications:

  • Islam, M. R. and Sun, Y., “Identification of cross-frequency interactions in compressible cavity flow using harmonic resolvent analysis,” J. Fluid Mech., Vol. 1000, A13, 2024.
  • Yeung, M., Gaitonde, D. V., and Sun, Y., “High-speed microactuation in a supersonic dual-stream jet flow,” J. Fluid Mech., Vol. 998, A53, 2024.
  • Thakor, M., Sun, Y., and Gaitonde, D. V., “Responses to disturbance of supersonic shear layer: input-output analysis,” Phys. Rev. Fluids, Vol. 9, pp. 084603, 2024.
  • Thakor, M., Seh, K. H., Gladson, S. R., Fernandez, M. L., Ivany L. C., Green, M., and Sun, Y., “Effects of annulation on low-Reynolds-number flows over an orthocone,” Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn., Vol. 37, pp. 357-374, 2023.
  • Yao, H., Sun, Y., and Hemati, M. S., “Feedback control of transitional shear flows: sensor selection for performance recovery,” Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn., Vol. 36, pp. 597-626, 2022.
  • Liu, Q., Sun, Y., Ukeiley, L. S., Cattafesta, L. N., and Taira, K., “Unsteady control of supersonic turbulent cavity flow based on resolvent analysis,” J. Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 925, A5, 2021.