Our research group is focused on large-scale, multi-physics simulations that drive novel developments in science and engineering, and help uncover the governing physical mechanisms. Our most recent research includes:
Hypersonic Transition Research
Hypersonic flight vehicles are among the most sophisticated devices ever envisioned. The flow field around hypersonic cruise hardware is highly complex and contains a wide range of intricate physical phenomena, such as transitional and turbulent flows, steady and unsteady shocks, chemical reactions, particulate laden flow. The ability to accurately predict the complex flow field around hypersonic vehicles and provide a sophisticated understanding of the relevant physics is essential to reduce design margins and systems uncertainties and, ultimately, guide the development of novel innovative designs.
In past experiments and analysis rotation of turbulent flows has been shown to provide a stabilizing effect, such as reducing Reynolds stresses, overall drag and causing the mean velocity profile to appear laminar. The physical mechanisms causing turbulence suppression are currently not well understood, and a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is of great value for many practical examples involving swirling or rotating flows, such as swirl generators, wing-tips, axial compressors, and hurricanes.
Turbulence Physics of Rotating Flows
Research aims at addressing the computational efficiency and model fidelity involved in conducting multi-scale Large-Eddy Simulations (LES). These simulations will be utilized to obtain a detailed understanding of noise generation mechanisms. Acoustics research has been conducted for a wide range of applications, e.g. rocket exhaust, jet impingement noise, and contra-rotating open rotors.
