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<title>Rithik R Nambiar · MS graduate @ Iowa State</title>
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<div class="sidebar-name">Rithik R Nambiar</div>
<div class="sidebar-title">MS graduate · Aerospace Engineering<br>Iowa State University</div>
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<h1>Rithik R Nambiar</h1>
<p class="hero-subtitle" aria-label="MS graduate in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University"><span id="typeText" class="type-text"></span><span class="type-caret" aria-hidden="true"></span></p>
<div class="hero-about">
<p>I am an MS graduate in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis) from <a href="https://www.aere.iastate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iowa State University</a>, specializing in computational analysis and sustainable system design.</p>
<br>
<p>My research portfolio spans
<a href="projects/computational-aeroacoustics.html" class="research-link">computational aeroacoustics</a>,
<a href="projects/wind-energy-systems.html" class="research-link">wind energy systems</a>, and
<a href="projects/lighter-than-air-systems.html" class="research-link">lighter-than-air systems</a>
through collaborations with leading US and Indian institutions including <a href="https://www.iitb.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IIT Bombay</a> and <a href="https://www.iist.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IIST Trivandrum</a>.
</p>
<br>
<p>Previously, I was a Project Research Assistant at the <a href="https://www.aero.iitb.ac.in/ltasyslab/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LTA Systems Laboratory, IIT Bombay</a>, and completed my BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from <a href="https://manipal.edu/mit.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manipal Institute of Technology</a> with a minor in Fundamentals of Computing.</p>
</div>
</section>
<!-- News -->
<section id="news">
<h2 class="section-title">Recent News</h2>
<div>
<div class="news-item">
<span class="news-date">May 2026</span>
<span class="news-emoji">👨🏻🎓</span>
<span class="news-text"> Graduated with MS in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University 🎓✨ </span>
</div>
<div class="news-item">
<span class="news-date">April 2026</span>
<span class="news-emoji">👨🏻🏫</span>
<span class="news-text"> Defended my MS thesis titled "Modeling and Analysis of an OWC Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform" 🎉 </span>
</div>
<div class="news-item">
<span class="news-date">May 2025</span>
<span class="news-emoji">🔬</span>
<span class="news-text">Started as Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant at Iowa State, working on the WAFOWT project.</span>
</div>
<div class="news-item">
<span class="news-date">Apr 2025</span>
<span class="news-emoji">📄</span>
<span class="news-text">Journal paper on <a href="https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.18.4.3453" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Numerical Prediction of Jet Screech Tones</a> published in CFD Letters.</span>
</div>
<div class="news-item">
<span class="news-date">Aug 2024</span>
<span class="news-emoji">🎉</span>
<span class="news-text">Joined Iowa State University for MS in Aerospace Engineering!</span>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Experience -->
<section id="experience">
<h2 class="section-title">Experience</h2>
<div class="exp-item">
<img src="assets/img/isu-logo.png" alt="Iowa State University" class="exp-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
<div class="exp-body">
<div class="exp-header">
<span class="exp-role">Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant</span>
<span class="exp-date">May 2025 – Dec 2025</span>
</div>
<div class="exp-org">Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University</div>
<ul class="exp-bullets">
<li>Applying dynamic modeling and time-domain simulations for a novel Wave-Augmented Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (WAFOWT) system using MATLAB/Simulink and WEC-Sim to evaluate wave-body interactions and enhance platform stability.</li>
<li>Teaching Assistant for AERE 3220: Aerospace Structures Laboratory, guiding 30+ students through hands-on experiments in aerospace structural principles.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="exp-item">
<img src="assets/img/isu-lab-logo.png" alt="ISU Computational Aerodynamics Lab" class="exp-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
<div class="exp-body">
<div class="exp-header">
<span class="exp-role">Research Assistant</span>
<span class="exp-date">Sep 2024 – Jan 2025</span>
</div>
<div class="exp-org">ISU Computational Aerodynamics & Aeroacoustics Laboratory</div>
<ul class="exp-bullets">
<li>Designed a novel ultrasonic bat deterrent device leveraging aerodynamic whistles to mitigate wind turbine mortality risks at wind farms.</li>
<li>Enhanced understanding of aerodynamic whistle performance by conducting detailed CFD and CAA simulations, identifying key operational principles and areas for design improvement.</li>
<li>Applied Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) methods using Discrete Adjoint approach with OpenFOAM (DAFoam) to enhance device performance.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="exp-item">
<img src="assets/img/iitbombay-logo.png" alt="IIT Bombay" class="exp-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
<div class="exp-body">
<div class="exp-header">
<span class="exp-role">Project Research Assistant</span>
<span class="exp-date">Sep 2022 – Jun 2024</span>
</div>
<div class="exp-org">LTA Systems Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay</div>
<ul class="exp-bullets">
<li>Led feasibility study on solar/wind aerostats for transmission towers, reducing potential costs by 20%.</li>
<li>Optimized power generation efficiency by 15% through CFD analysis of horizontal and vertical axis turbines.</li>
<li>Developed dashboard to streamline aerostat design process, reducing cycle time by 60%.</li>
<li>Teaching Assistant for AE664: LTA Systems, earning positive feedback for exceptional teaching support.</li>
<li>Demonstrated leadership by organizing impactful events, outreach programs, guiding interns, and strengthening project visibility.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="exp-item">
<img src="assets/img/iist-logo.png" alt="IIST Trivandrum" class="exp-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
<div class="exp-body">
<div class="exp-header">
<span class="exp-role">Research Intern – Bachelor's Thesis</span>
<span class="exp-date">Jan 2022 – Jul 2022</span>
</div>
<div class="exp-org">Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Trivandrum</div>
<ul class="exp-bullets">
<li>Conducted collaborative research employing ANSYS Fluent to dissect screech tones in supersonic jets.</li>
<li>Evaluated sound pressure levels and acoustic behaviors across diverse microphone locations, providing valuable insights into aircraft performance.</li>
<li>Explored the impact of Mach numbers on noise generation in supersonic jets, focusing on predicting screech tones.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="exp-item">
<img src="assets/img/hal-logo.png" alt="Hindustan Aeronautics Limited" class="exp-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
<div class="exp-body">
<div class="exp-header">
<span class="exp-role">Design Intern</span>
<span class="exp-date">Aug 2021 – Sep 2021</span>
</div>
<div class="exp-org">Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore</div>
<ul class="exp-bullets">
<li>Performed design and analysis of critical aircraft components in the Wing & Empennage division, enhancing structural integrity and performance.</li>
<li>Executed a focused study on gurney flaps, optimizing their application for a 15% improvement in lift coefficient.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Publications -->
<section id="publications">
<h2 class="section-title">Publications</h2>
<p style="font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--text-muted); margin-bottom: 1.5rem;">
Visit <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RLRSFkAAAAAJ&hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: var(--link); text-decoration: underline;">[Google Scholar]</a> for my full list of publications.
</p>
<div class="pub-item">
<div class="pub-content">
<div class="pub-title">Numerical Prediction of Axisymmetric Jet Screech Tones in Supersonic Flows</div>
<div class="pub-authors"><strong>Nambiar, R. R</strong>, Karthik, S. K, Manikandan, M., Singh, B., and Nair, M. T.</div>
<div class="pub-venue">CFD Letters, 18(4), 34–53, 2025.</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.18.4.3453" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pub-item">
<div class="pub-content">
<div class="pub-title">Conceptual Sizing Approach for Electric Power Generation Turbine Aerostat</div>
<div class="pub-authors"><strong>Nambiar, R. R</strong>, Dixit, M., & Pant, R. S.</div>
<div class="pub-venue">Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies, 76(2), 67–80, 2024.</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.61653/joast.v76i2.2024.962" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pub-item">
<div class="pub-content">
<div class="pub-title">Effect of Horizontal and Vertical Overlap on the Performance of Two-bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine</div>
<div class="pub-authors"><strong>Nambiar, R. R</strong>, Tripathi, M., and Pant, R. S.</div>
<div class="pub-venue">AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-4118" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pub-item">
<div class="pub-content">
<div class="pub-title">Methodology for Conceptual Sizing of a Turbine Aerostat for Electrical Power Generation</div>
<div class="pub-authors"><strong>Nambiar, R. R</strong>, Dixit, M., and Pant, R. S.</div>
<div class="pub-venue">AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-3792" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pub-item">
<div class="pub-content">
<div class="pub-title">Conceptual Design of a Solar Powered Winged Hybrid Airship for Agricultural Purposes</div>
<div class="pub-authors"><strong>Nambiar, R. R</strong>, and Gupta, P.</div>
<div class="pub-venue">AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-3791" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Thesis -->
<section id="thesis">
<h2 class="section-title">Thesis</h2>
<div class="thesis-card">
<div class="thesis-degree">Masters's Thesis</div>
<div class="thesis-title">Modeling and Analysis of an OWC-Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform</div>
<div class="thesis-meta">
Iowa State University, 2026<br>
Advisor: Dr. Ossama Abdelkhalik
</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/modeling-analysis-owc-integrated-floating/docview/3350731121/se-2?accountid=10906" target="_blank" rel="noopener">URL</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="thesis-card">
<div class="thesis-degree">Bachelor's Thesis</div>
<div class="thesis-title">Numerical Prediction of Generation of Axisymmetric Mode Jet Screech Tones for Various Mach Numbers</div>
<div class="thesis-meta">
Manipal Institute of Technology / Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, 2022<br>
Advisor: Dr. Manoj T. Nair (IIST Trivandrum) and Dr. Manikandan Murugaiah (MIT Manipal)
</div>
<div class="pub-links">
<a href="https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18141.93928" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOI</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Education -->
<section id="education">
<h2 class="section-title">Education</h2>
<div class="edu-item">
<img src="assets/img/isu-logo.png" alt="Iowa State University" class="edu-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
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<span class="edu-school">Iowa State University</span>
<span class="edu-date">Aug 2024 – May 2026</span>
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<div class="edu-degree">MS in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis)</div>
</div>
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<img src="assets/img/manipal-logo.png" alt="Manipal Institute of Technology" class="edu-logo" loading="lazy" width="44" height="44">
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<span class="edu-school">Manipal Institute of Technology</span>
<span class="edu-date">Jul 2018 – Jul 2022</span>
</div>
<div class="edu-degree">BTech in Aeronautical Engineering · Minor in Fundamentals of Computing</div>
<div class="edu-note">Recognized for outstanding thesis work. Coursework in aerodynamics, aircraft structures, flight mechanics, propulsion, and avionics.</div>
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<span class="award-title">Global Scholars Award – Graduate</span>
<span class="award-date">2026</span>
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<div class="award-org">International Students & Scholars Office, Iowa State University</div>
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<h4>Engineering Software</h4>
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<span class="skill-tag">CFD++</span>
<span class="skill-tag">ANSYS Fluent</span>
<span class="skill-tag">OpenFOAM</span>
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<span class="skill-tag">LaTeX</span>
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<h2 class="section-title">Field Notes</h2>
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data-meta="MIT Manipal · 2022"
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data-caption="With Prof. R.S. Pant and the LTA Systems Laboratory team ">
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<span class="fn-caption-meta">IIT Bombay · Jun 2024</span>
<span class="fn-caption-text">With Prof. R.S. Pant and the LTA Systems Laboratory team </span>
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<div class="footer">© 2026 Rithik R Nambiar · Ames, Iowa</div>
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about:"Rithik R Nambiar recently completed his MS in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis) at Iowa State University, specializing in computational analysis and sustainable system design. His research spans computational aeroacoustics, wind energy systems, and lighter-than-air systems.",
background:"Rithik grew up in India and developed an early interest in aerospace engineering. He completed his BTech at Manipal Institute of Technology (2018–2022), gained research experience at IIST Trivandrum and IIT Bombay, and earned his MS at Iowa State University in 2026.",
why_aerospace:"Rithik chose aerospace engineering because it sits at the intersection of complex physics, advanced computation, and tangible real-world impact — from cleaner energy systems to safer flight.",
why_iowa_state:"Iowa State's Aerospace Engineering department offered the right combination of strong computational research groups, faculty working on offshore wind energy and aeroacoustics, and a collaborative graduate culture — a strong fit for Rithik's research interests.",
education:"Rithik earned his MS in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis) from Iowa State University (Aug 2024 – May 2026). Earlier, he completed his BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology (2018–2022) with a Minor in Fundamentals of Computing, and was recognized for outstanding thesis work in his batch.",
manipal:"Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT Manipal) is where Rithik completed his BTech in Aeronautical Engineering (2018–2022). Coursework covered aerodynamics, aircraft structures, flight mechanics, propulsion, and avionics. He also earned a Minor in Fundamentals of Computing.",
isu:"Iowa State University is where Rithik completed his MS in Aerospace Engineering with thesis (2024–2026). He worked there as a Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.",
experience:"Rithik has held several research roles:\n\u2022 Graduate RA & TA at Iowa State (May 2025–Dec 2025)\n\u2022 Research Assistant at ISU Comp. Aerodynamics Lab (Sep 2024–Jan 2025)\n\u2022 Project RA at LTA Systems Lab, IIT Bombay (Sep 2022–Jun 2024)\n\u2022 Research Intern at IIST Trivandrum (Jan–Jul 2022)\n\u2022 Design Intern at HAL Bangalore (Aug–Sep 2021)",
teaching:"Rithik has served as a Teaching Assistant twice: (1) AERE 3220: Aerospace Structures Lab at Iowa State, guiding 30+ students; (2) AE664: LTA Systems at IIT Bombay, earning positive feedback for teaching support.",
hal:"At Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore, Rithik was a Design Intern (Aug–Sep 2021) in the Wing & Empennage division. He performed design and analysis of aircraft components and achieved a 15% lift coefficient improvement via gurney flap optimization.",
iist:"At IIST Trivandrum, Rithik conducted his BTech thesis research (Jan–Jul 2022), using ANSYS Fluent to investigate screech tones in supersonic jets across various Mach numbers and microphone locations.",
iitb:"At IIT Bombay's LTA Systems Lab (2022–2024), Rithik worked under Prof. R.S. Pant. He led aerostat feasibility studies, optimized turbine designs, built a design dashboard, organized the eTAE-2023 national seminar, guided interns, and served as TA.",
research:"Rithik's research spans three main areas:\n1. Computational Aeroacoustics — jet screech prediction, aeroacoustic optimization\n2. Wind Energy Systems — WAFOWT dynamic modeling, VAWT optimization, bat deterrent devices\n3. Lighter-than-Air Systems — turbine aerostats, solar-powered hybrid airships\nClick the project links in the sidebar to explore each area!",
aeroacoustics:"Rithik's computational aeroacoustics research includes: (1) Aeroacoustic optimization of aerodynamic whistles for ultrasound generation using CFD, CAA, and MDO with DAFoam; (2) Numerical prediction of jet screech tones in supersonic flows using ANSYS Fluent.",
wind:"Rithik's wind energy research includes: (1) WAFOWT — dynamic modeling of a floating offshore wind turbine; (2) VAWT optimization — studying overlap effects on vertical axis wind turbines; (3) Ultrasonic bat deterrent device for wind farms.",
lta:"Rithik's lighter-than-air systems research at IIT Bombay includes: (1) Turbine Aerostat — feasibility study achieving 20% cost reduction and 15% efficiency gain; (2) Solar-Powered Hybrid Airship — conceptual design for agricultural applications.",
wafowt:"The WAFOWT project involves dynamic modeling of a Wave-Augmented Floating Offshore Wind Turbine using MATLAB/Simulink and WEC-Sim. His MS thesis, 'Modeling and Analysis of an OWC Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform', was defended in April 2026.",
thesis_ms:"Rithik's MS thesis: 'Modeling and Analysis of an OWC Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform' — defended April 2026 at Iowa State using MATLAB/Simulink and WEC-Sim.",
thesis_btech:"Rithik's BTech thesis: 'Numerical Prediction of Generation of Axisymmetric Mode Jet Screech Tones for Various Mach Numbers' (2022, MIT Manipal / IIST Trivandrum). Advised by Dr. Manoj T. Nair and Dr. Manikandan Murugaiah.",
bat:"The bat deterrent project designed ultrasonic devices using aerodynamic whistles to reduce wind turbine bat mortality. Used CFD, CAA, and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization with DAFoam.",
vawt:"The VAWT project investigated overlap effects on two-bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbines using CFD, published at AIAA AVIATION 2023.",
aerostat:"At IIT Bombay, Rithik led feasibility studies on turbine aerostats for power generation, achieving 20% cost reduction and 15% efficiency improvement. He also built a design dashboard reducing cycle time by 60%.",
airship:"The solar-powered hybrid airship integrates photovoltaic harvesting with a lifting-body configuration for long-endurance agricultural operations like crop monitoring and spraying.",
screech:"Rithik's screech tone research used ANSYS Fluent to numerically predict axisymmetric mode jet screech at various Mach numbers. Published at AIAA 2023 and in CFD Letters (2025).",
publications:"Rithik has 6 publications — 2 journal papers and 4 conference proceedings:\n\u2022 CFD Letters 2025 — Jet screech tones\n\u2022 JAST 2024 — Turbine aerostat sizing\n\u2022 AIAA 2023 — VAWT overlap, aerostat sizing, jet screech, solar airship\nAll have DOI links and downloadable PDFs in the Publications section.",
journal_papers:"Rithik has 2 journal papers: (1) CFD Letters 2025 on jet screech tone prediction; (2) Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies 2024 on turbine aerostat conceptual sizing.",
conferences:"Rithik has presented at AIAA AVIATION 2023 in San Diego, with four conference papers covering VAWT performance, turbine aerostats, jet screech, and solar-powered hybrid airships.",
scholar:"Rithik's work is indexed on Google Scholar — see the link in the Publications and Contact sections.",
skills:"Rithik's skills include:\n\u2022 CFD/CAA: ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, CFD++, DAFoam\n\u2022 Dynamic modeling: MATLAB, Simulink, WEC-Sim\n\u2022 CAD: CATIA v5, Fusion 360, AutoCAD\n\u2022 Programming: Python, MATLAB, LaTeX\n\u2022 Languages: English, Hindi, Malayalam",
cfd:"Rithik has extensive CFD experience: ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, CFD++, and DAFoam for multidisciplinary design optimization.",
matlab:"Rithik uses MATLAB/Simulink extensively for the WAFOWT project with WEC-Sim, plus data analysis and numerical computations.",
python:"Rithik uses Python for data analysis, automation, and scripting around CFD workflows. He has completed multiple Python certifications including 'Python for Everybody' (UMich/Coursera).",
optimization:"Rithik's optimization experience includes Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) with DAFoam (Discrete Adjoint approach in OpenFOAM) for the bat deterrent device.",
cad:"Rithik is proficient in CATIA v5, Autodesk Fusion 360, and AutoCAD for component design and aerospace structural modeling.",
certifications:"Certifications include: ANSYS Fluent (Udemy), CATIA V5 (Upskillz), Python with Space Applications (Spaceonova), Python for Everybody (Coursera/UMich), Autodesk CAD & Digital Manufacturing (Coursera).",
languages:"Rithik is fluent in English, Hindi, and Malayalam.",
awards:"Rithik received the Global Scholars Award (Graduate) from the International Students & Scholars Office at Iowa State University in 2026. See the Honors & Awards section for details.",
advisor:"Rithik's MS work at Iowa State was carried out with Dr. Ossama Abdelkhalik's group in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. His BTech thesis was advised by Dr. Manoj T. Nair (IIST) and Dr. Manikandan Murugaiah (MIT Manipal). At IIT Bombay he worked under Prof. R.S. Pant.",
mentors:"Rithik's mentors include Prof. R.S. Pant (IIT Bombay, LTA systems), Dr. Manoj T. Nair (IIST, aeroacoustics), and Dr. Manikandan Murugaiah (MIT Manipal).",
contact:"Reach Rithik at:\n\u2022 Email: rithiknambiar2000@gmail.com\n\u2022 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rithik-r-nambiar\n\u2022 Google Scholar & ResearchGate in the Contact section.\nOpen to research collaborations and industry opportunities!",
resume:"Download Rithik's resume via the 'Resume' button in the sidebar.",
location:"Rithik is based in Ames, Iowa — home of Iowa State University.",
collaborate:"Rithik is open to collaborations in aerospace, renewable energy, and computational engineering. Email: rithiknambiar2000@gmail.com",
funding:"Rithik's MS was supported through Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University.",
hobbies:"Outside research, Rithik enjoys staying active, exploring new places, photography from his travels, and following developments in clean energy and aerospace.",
career_goals:"Having completed his MS, Rithik aims to contribute to sustainable aerospace and clean energy R&D — particularly at the intersection of computational engineering and renewable systems — through PhD studies or industry research roles.",
phd:"Rithik is open to PhD opportunities in computational aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, offshore wind, and multidisciplinary design optimization. Reach out via email to discuss.",
industry:"Rithik is open to industry research opportunities in aerospace, renewable energy, and computational engineering — particularly roles involving CFD, dynamic modeling, or design optimization.",
leadership:"At IIT Bombay, Rithik organized the eTAE-2023 national seminar, guided interns, and led outreach efforts that strengthened the LTA lab's visibility.",
internships:"Rithik's internships include HAL Bangalore (design, 2021), IIST Trivandrum (BTech thesis research, 2022), and his Project RA role at IIT Bombay (2022–2024) which functioned as an extended research role.",
github:"Rithik's portfolio code lives at github.com/rithikrn — feel free to explore.",
spotlight:"The Field Notes section at the bottom of the page shows photos from conferences, lab visits, and milestones — flip through using the arrows or dots.",
ml:"Rithik's primary computational expertise is CFD/CAA and dynamic modeling rather than traditional ML, but he uses Python-based data analysis and optimization techniques regularly."
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if(q.match(/intern(ship)?(s)?/)) return kb.internships;
if(q.match(/leader|organiz|outreach|event|seminar|etae/)) return kb.leadership;
if(q.match(/research area|research focus|research topic|what.*(do|work).*research|field of/)) return kb.research;
if(q.match(/aeroacoustic|caa|noise|acoustic|sound/)) return kb.aeroacoustics;
if(q.match(/wind|offshore|renewable|turbine farm/)) return kb.wind;
if(q.match(/lighter|lta|aerostat|airship|buoy/)) return kb.lta;
if(q.match(/wafowt|owc|floating.*wind|wave.*augment/)) return kb.wafowt;
if(q.match(/bat|deterrent|ultrasonic|whistle|wildlife/)) return kb.bat;
if(q.match(/vawt|vertical.*axis|overlap/)) return kb.vawt;
if(q.match(/turb.*aerostat|power.*gen.*aerostat|transmission/)) return kb.aerostat;
if(q.match(/solar.*air|agri|crop|farm|hybrid airship/)) return kb.airship;
if(q.match(/screech|jet.*noise|supersonic.*noise|mach/)) return kb.screech;
if(q.match(/thesis|defend|dissert/)){
if(q.match(/ms|master|current|wafowt|owc/)) return kb.thesis_ms;
if(q.match(/btech|bachelor|undergrad|screech/)) return kb.thesis_btech;
return "Rithik has two theses: a BTech thesis on jet screech tones (IIST/MIT, 2022) and an MS thesis on WAFOWT/OWC (Iowa State, 2026). Which would you like to hear about?";
}
if(q.match(/journal/)) return kb.journal_papers;
if(q.match(/conference|aiaa|forum|presented/)) return kb.conferences;
if(q.match(/scholar|google scholar/)) return kb.scholar;
if(q.match(/publication|paper|publish|cite|citation/)) return kb.publications;
if(q.match(/skill|tool|software|tech stack|expert/)) return kb.skills;
if(q.match(/cfd|fluent|simulation|comput.*fluid/)) return kb.cfd;
if(q.match(/matlab|simulink|wec.?sim/)) return kb.matlab;
if(q.match(/python|coding|scripting/)) return kb.python;
if(q.match(/optim|adjoint|dafoam|mdo\b/)) return kb.optimization;
if(q.match(/cad|catia|fusion|autocad|design software/)) return kb.cad;
if(q.match(/openfoam/)) return kb.cfd;
if(q.match(/machine learning|ml\b|ai\b|neural|deep learning/)) return kb.ml;
if(q.match(/certif|course|training|udemy|coursera/)) return kb.certifications;
if(q.match(/language|speak|english|hindi|malayalam/)) return kb.languages;
if(q.match(/award|honor|recogni|prize|fellowship|scholarship/)) return kb.awards;
if(q.match(/advisor|supervisor|professor|guide/)) return kb.advisor;
if(q.match(/mentor/)) return kb.mentors;
if(q.match(/fund|stipend|gra\b|assistantship/)) return kb.funding;
if(q.match(/github|repo|code repo/)) return kb.github;
if(q.match(/spotlight|photo|gallery|picture/)) return kb.spotlight;
if(q.match(/contact|email|reach|connect|linkedin|mail/)) return kb.contact;
if(q.match(/resume|cv|download/)) return kb.resume;
if(q.match(/where.*based|location|live|city|ames|iowa/)) return kb.location;
if(q.match(/collaborat|opportunit|hire|recruit|available|position open/)) return kb.collaborate;
if(q.match(/phd|doctorate|doctoral/)) return kb.phd;
if(q.match(/industry|company|corporate|job market/)) return kb.industry;
if(q.match(/career goal|future|next step|plan|aspiration|aim/)) return kb.career_goals;
if(q.match(/hobby|hobbies|interest.*outside|free time|fun|leisure|personal/)) return kb.hobbies;
if(q.match(/interest|passion|motivat/)) return "Rithik is passionate about translating complex engineering challenges into sustainable solutions advancing both technology and environmental stewardship.";
if(q.match(/thank/)) return "You're welcome! Feel free to ask anything else.";
if(q.match(/bye|goodbye|see ya/)) return "Goodbye! Reach Rithik at rithiknambiar2000@gmail.com anytime.";
return "I'm not sure about that specific question. Try asking about Rithik's education, research, publications, skills, awards, hobbies, career goals — or type 'help' to see what I can answer!";
}
chatInput.addEventListener('input',function(){this.style.height='auto';this.style.height=Math.min(this.scrollHeight,100)+'px';chatSend.disabled=!this.value.trim()});
chatInput.addEventListener('keydown',function(e){if(e.key==='Enter'&&!e.shiftKey){e.preventDefault();if(this.value.trim())sendMessage()}});
chatSend.addEventListener('click',sendMessage);
const _sugg = document.getElementById('chatSuggestions');
if(_sugg){
_sugg.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
const chip = e.target.closest('.chat-chip');
if(!chip) return;
chatInput.value = chip.dataset.q || chip.textContent;
chatSend.disabled = false;
sendMessage();
});
}
function sendMessage(){const text=chatInput.value.trim();if(!text)return;
const u=document.createElement('div');u.className='chat-msg user';u.innerHTML='<div class="chat-bubble">'+escapeHtml(text)+'</div>';
chatMessages.appendChild(u);chatMessages.scrollTop=chatMessages.scrollHeight;
chatInput.value='';chatInput.style.height='auto';chatSend.disabled=true;
const t=document.createElement('div');t.className='chat-msg bot';t.innerHTML='<div class="chat-bubble chat-typing"><span></span><span></span><span></span></div>';
chatMessages.appendChild(t);chatMessages.scrollTop=chatMessages.scrollHeight;
const r=getResponse(text);setTimeout(()=>{t.remove();const b=document.createElement('div');b.className='chat-msg bot';b.innerHTML='<div class="chat-bubble">'+r+'</div>';chatMessages.appendChild(b);chatMessages.scrollTop=chatMessages.scrollHeight},500+Math.random()*500)}
function escapeHtml(t){const d=document.createElement('div');d.textContent=t;return d.innerHTML}
/* ─── Field Notes carousel ─── */
(function(){
const slides = document.querySelectorAll('.fn-slide');
const dotsContainer = document.getElementById('fnDots');
const prevBtn = document.getElementById('fnPrev');
const nextBtn = document.getElementById('fnNext');
const captionEl = document.getElementById('fnCaption');
if (!slides.length || !captionEl) return;
let idx = 0;
let timer;
const INTERVAL = 5000;
slides.forEach((_, i) => {
const d = document.createElement('button');
d.className = 'fn-dot' + (i === 0 ? ' active' : '');
d.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Go to slide ' + (i + 1));
d.addEventListener('click', () => goTo(i));
dotsContainer.appendChild(d);
});
const dots = dotsContainer.querySelectorAll('.fn-dot');
function updateCaption(slide) {
const meta = slide.dataset.meta || '';
const text = slide.dataset.caption || '';
captionEl.innerHTML =
'<span class="fn-caption-meta">' + meta + '</span>' +
'<span class="fn-caption-text">' + text + '</span>';
}
function goTo(n) {
slides[idx].classList.remove('active');
dots[idx].classList.remove('active');
idx = (n + slides.length) % slides.length;
slides[idx].classList.add('active');
dots[idx].classList.add('active');
updateCaption(slides[idx]);
resetTimer();
}
function resetTimer() {
clearInterval(timer);
if (slides.length > 1) {
timer = setInterval(() => goTo(idx + 1), INTERVAL);
}
}
prevBtn.addEventListener('click', () => goTo(idx - 1));
nextBtn.addEventListener('click', () => goTo(idx + 1));
// Pause on hover (desktop)
const stage = document.getElementById('fnStage');
stage.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => clearInterval(timer));
stage.addEventListener('mouseleave', resetTimer);
// Hide nav arrows if only one slide
if (slides.length <= 1) {
prevBtn.style.display = 'none';
nextBtn.style.display = 'none';
dotsContainer.style.display = 'none';
}
updateCaption(slides[0]);
resetTimer();
})();
// Scroll progress bar
const _bar = document.createElement('div');
_bar.className = 'scroll-progress';
document.body.appendChild(_bar);
window.addEventListener('scroll', () => {
const d = document.documentElement;
const max = d.scrollHeight - d.clientHeight;
_bar.style.width = (max > 0 ? (d.scrollTop / max) * 100 : 0) + '%';
}, { passive: true });
// Reveal-on-scroll (skips hero; it has its own entrance)
const _reveals = document.querySelectorAll('section:not(.hero), .footer');
_reveals.forEach(s => s.classList.add('reveal'));
const _revObs = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
entries.forEach(e => { if (e.isIntersecting) { e.target.classList.add('visible'); _revObs.unobserve(e.target); } });
}, { rootMargin: '0px 0px -8% 0px', threshold: 0.05 });
_reveals.forEach(s => _revObs.observe(s));
/* ─── Hero typewriter ─── */
(function(){
const el = document.getElementById('typeText');
if(!el) return;
const LINES = [
"MS graduate · Iowa State University",
"Project Research Assistant · IIT Bombay",
"BTech graduate · MIT Manipal",
"Just a curious human, mostly figuring it out",
"Perpetually debugging — meshes, code, and life",
"Resume is a snapshot; curiosity is the story",
];
const reduce = matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
if(reduce){ el.textContent = LINES[0]; return; }
const TYPE = 55, ERASE = 28, HOLD = 1500, GAP = 350; // ms — timing knobs
let li = 0, ci = 0, deleting = false;
function tick(){
const line = LINES[li];
if(!deleting){
el.textContent = line.slice(0, ++ci);
if(ci === line.length){ deleting = true; return setTimeout(tick, HOLD); }
return setTimeout(tick, TYPE);
} else {
el.textContent = line.slice(0, --ci);
if(ci === 0){ deleting = false; li = (li + 1) % LINES.length; return setTimeout(tick, GAP); }
return setTimeout(tick, ERASE);
}
}
tick();
})();
/* ─── Theme toggle ─── */
(function(){
const root = document.documentElement, btn = document.getElementById('themeToggle');
function apply(theme, animate){
if(animate){ root.classList.add('theme-transition'); setTimeout(() => root.classList.remove('theme-transition'), 420); }
theme === 'dark' ? root.setAttribute('data-theme','dark') : root.removeAttribute('data-theme');
try { localStorage.setItem('theme', theme); } catch(e){}
if(typeof refreshFlowColor === 'function') refreshFlowColor();
}
btn && btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
apply(root.getAttribute('data-theme') === 'dark' ? 'light' : 'dark', true);
});
})();
/* ─── Ambient flow field (airflow / streamlines) ─── */
(function(){
const canvas = document.getElementById('flowField');
if(!canvas) return;
const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
const reduce = matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
let w, h, dpr, particles = [], raf, t = 0;
let strokeRGBA, fadeRGBA, clearOnce = true;
// ── tuning knobs ──
const SPEED = 1.2, COUNT_DESKTOP = 70, COUNT_MOBILE = 34, LIFE = 280;
function hexA(hex, a){
const m = (hex || '').replace('#','').match(/^([0-9a-f]{6})$/i);
let r = 184, g = 92, b = 56;
if(m){ const n = parseInt(m[1], 16); r = (n >> 16) & 255; g = (n >> 8) & 255; b = n & 255; }
return `rgba(${r},${g},${b},${a})`;
}
function readColors(){
const cs = getComputedStyle(document.documentElement);
const dark = document.documentElement.getAttribute('data-theme') === 'dark';
strokeRGBA = hexA(cs.getPropertyValue('--accent').trim(), dark ? 0.22 : 0.20);
fadeRGBA = hexA(cs.getPropertyValue('--bg').trim(), 0.055);
clearOnce = true;
}
window.refreshFlowColor = readColors;
function resize(){
dpr = Math.min(devicePixelRatio || 1, 2);
w = canvas.width = innerWidth * dpr;
h = canvas.height = innerHeight * dpr;
canvas.style.width = innerWidth + 'px';
canvas.style.height = innerHeight + 'px';
const count = innerWidth < 720 ? COUNT_MOBILE : COUNT_DESKTOP;
particles = Array.from({ length: count }, () => ({
x: Math.random() * w, y: Math.random() * h, life: Math.random() * LIFE
}));
clearOnce = true;
}
function step(){
if(clearOnce){ ctx.clearRect(0, 0, w, h); clearOnce = false; }
ctx.fillStyle = fadeRGBA; ctx.fillRect(0, 0, w, h);
ctx.strokeStyle = strokeRGBA; ctx.lineWidth = 1.1 * dpr; ctx.lineCap = 'round';
t += 0.0015;
for(const p of particles){
const a = (Math.sin(p.x * 0.0015 + t) + Math.cos(p.y * 0.0015 - t * 0.8)) * Math.PI;
const nx = p.x + Math.cos(a) * SPEED * dpr;
const ny = p.y + Math.sin(a) * SPEED * dpr;
ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(p.x, p.y); ctx.lineTo(nx, ny); ctx.stroke();
p.x = nx; p.y = ny; p.life--;
if(p.life < 0 || nx < 0 || nx > w || ny < 0 || ny > h){
p.x = Math.random() * w; p.y = Math.random() * h; p.life = LIFE;
}
}
raf = requestAnimationFrame(step);
}
readColors(); resize();
if(!reduce) raf = requestAnimationFrame(step);
let rt; addEventListener('resize', () => { clearTimeout(rt); rt = setTimeout(resize, 200); }, { passive: true });
document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', () => {
if(document.hidden) cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
else if(!reduce){ clearOnce = true; raf = requestAnimationFrame(step); }
});
})();
</script>
</body>
</html>