Visualization and quantitave measurement of aerodynamic effects on several aircraft models have been conducted using an optical pressure measurement system, based on the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. The PSP technology not only provides a good understanding of the flow topology around a wind tunnel model, but can be used to carry out absolute pressure measurements on a surface of the model and to determine additional aerodynamic data such as loads on it as well.
The identification of laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition on models in wind tunnels yields essential information for the design of modern wings.
Among other techniques, transition detection can be done using the temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) technique.