Random rough or uneven surfaces that develop on airplanes or ships can create disturbances in air or water flow that impact fuel efficiency, performance and safety. The research could help manufacturers and operators make decisions about the design, cleaning and repair of engineered surfaces. The surfaces of aircraft and ships can become rough or uneven due to manufacturing imperfections or high pressure, high temperature or high humidity conditions experienced under deployment. Rough surfaces cause smooth-flowing air or water around a craft to transition to disturbed or turbulent flow, thus impairing aerodynamics. “If not properly accounted for, such changes can reduce performance of aircraft in critical flight conditions and even drastically impact their safety.”