Research in the Fluids Group encompasses a wide range of modern and classical topics in engineering fluid mechanics, spanning both highly applied and fundamental aspects. The focus of the group's research is aimed both at developing and enhancing fundamental understanding and on developing solutions to specific problems - many of these driven directly by the needs and challenges faced by industry. The group works closely with industrial partners from all engineering sectors. The Chair of Fluid Mechanics was appointed through a generous donation from Dyson and the group has/continues to receive significant support and sponsorship from a wide range of engineering companies.
The group has expertise in the entire range of complementary methodologies from laboratory experiments and flow visualisation, CFD/DNS, to theoretical modelling. The group has an excellent range of facilities in the aerodynamics, acoustics and fluid mechanics laboratories, as well as significant computing capabilities in its CFD lab. The main work of the group falls into the following research areas:
- High speed aerodynamics – wings and engine inlets
- Low speed aerodynamics – reducing losses due to drag on road vehicles
- Acoustics - combustion and jet noise, combustion instability
- Acoustics – noise generation and mitigation in domestic appliances/vehicles/aircraft/wind turbines
- Control of turbulent flows via smart/active surfaces.
- Buoyancy-driven and stratified flows, especially related to energy conservation/comfort in buildings
- Multi-phase flows
- Hydraulics and coastal engineering, including tsunami wave propagation
- Turbulence geophysical fluid mechanics
- Computational modelling of turbulent flows