Here, Max Stancliffe, Engineer at PPS, explains how the company’s AeroStrip sensor, trialled with University of Strathclyde Motorsport (USM), offers a cost-effective solution for teams beyond the elite level.
Aerodynamic measurement is crucial in automotive design, helping engineers optimise stability and performance. CFD and PIV remain the gold standard, but their expense and complexity make them impractical for smaller outfits in series such as Formula E or Formula Student.
At the top level, PIV is typically used to study small areas of a car, requiring considerable time, resources and specialist equipment.
For university teams, such tools are often unavailable, limiting their ability to carry out meaningful testing.
Even when CFD models are used, the lack of real-world validation means simulations don’t always translate to on-track results.
AeroStrip delivers reliable aerodynamic data in days rather than weeks, helping teams accelerate learning and development.
The sensor solution
To overcome traditional barriers, PPS developed AeroStrip, a low-profile pressure-sensing strip for fast, accurate aerodynamic testing in real-world conditions.
It captures high-resolution pressure data directly from track or wind tunnel environments, replacing costly and time-consuming testing with a fast, accessible alternative.
AeroStrip consists of a flexible strip of dense pressure sensors that can be mounted on vehicle surfaces, such as rear wings or bodywork, to record real-time pressure data. It comes in three versions: 20mm and 25mm pitch sensors for general airflow trends, and 8mm pitch sensors for high-definition mapping where more detail is needed.
Working with PPS, the University of Strathclyde Motorsport team trialled AeroStrip in its wind tunnel. For the first time, students could collect experimental aerodynamic data to refine their CFD models and validate different turbulence approaches.
The results helped bridge the gap between simulation and reality, showing which models best matched real-world airflow.
Future use
AeroStrip’s potential extends far beyond Formula Student – to Formula E, endurance racing and even grassroots motorsport. The trial not only demonstrated AeroStrip’s capabilities, but also introduced PPS to manufacturers and developers across the racing sector.
Its compact design makes installation simple and minimises aerodynamic drag. Beyond motorsport, the same sensing technology shows promise for automotive applications such as active aerodynamic control systems.
PPS now plans to move from wind tunnel to on-track testing, capturing pressure data under live racing conditions. Measuring turbulence and airflow separation in motion will allow teams to refine designs more effectively.
By simulating CFD-style rolling road conditions, AeroStrip can be mounted on key areas such as wings, endplates and undertrays to measure real-time pressure distribution.
Pressure readings can be validated against CFD simulations using PPS’s Chameleon software via USB interface. CAN (controller area network) integration is also being developed to feed real-time data directly into a vehicle’s network, synchronising it with speed, steering and throttle input. This will let engineers monitor aerodynamic performance live during a lap, validating simulations instantly in the pit lane.
Currently, AeroStrip provides data over a wireless Bluetooth connection, though with limited range. PPS is now developing a more compact setup that combines the data acquisition unit and tablet into one integrated system.
The sensing area can also be customised as a long strip, wide pad or distributed sensors across multiple surfaces to suit each test.
To find out more about how AeroStrip can help measure aerodynamics in automotive and aerospace applications, visit its website.