Meet Divya Tyagi: Indo-American Student Solves 100-Year-Old Math Problem

Divya Tyagi, a postgraduate student at Pennsylvania State University, solved a century-old math problem. The Indo-American budding aeronautical engineer worked on the problem for her college thesis and redesigned it into a more straightforward format, according to the institute's Instagram page. Her findings, published in the Wind Energy Science journal, could help in reducing costs and increasing wind energy production.

Divya Tyagi's Findings

Divya Tyagi's formula expands research in aerodynamics by opening up new avenues in wind turbine design. The study's original author, Hermann Glauert's 'optimum rotor disc solution addendum' maximises power output by optimising wind turbine performance through the solution of optimal flow conditions.

The Penn State student developed an addition to the Glauert problem's optimal rotor disc solution, following encouragement from her professor and co-author, Sven Schmitz, PhD. Speaking to CNBC TV18, he said they found the Glauert problem had “steps were missing and it was very complicated. That’s when Divya came in."

Tyagi came up with a solution based on the calculus of variations, a mathematical technique for restricted optimisation. She said that she developed an addition to Glauert's problem that “determines the optimal aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine by solving for the ideal flow conditions for a turbine to maximize its power output.”

Tyagi said that her study could increase wind energy production and reduce costs. "Even a 1% improvement in power coefficient could notably increase a turbine’s energy output, potentially powering an entire neighbourhood.” Professor Schmitz added, "I think it will find its way into the classrooms, across the country and around the world."

Tyagi is currently studying computational fluid dynamics models for her master's degree in aeronautical engineering, to have her work included in wind turbine systems. According to her LinkedIn profile, she is a Leonhard Scholar, a merit-based program for engineering students at Penn State. She is set to graduate in May 2026.