EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics

Started

Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research

Training

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr OG Harlen
Applied Mathematics
University of Leeds

Standard

EPSRC

01 April 2024

30 September 2032

102 months

£6,151,428

Aerospace; Defence and Marine; Healthcare; Manufacturing

Yorkshire & Humberside

EPSRC Training Grants

Dr OG Harlen, Applied Mathematics, University of Leeds

Professor PK Jimack, Sch of Computing, University of Leeds
Dr s Khodaparast, Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds
Dr CJ Noakes, Civil Engineering, University of Leeds
Dr AN Ross, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
Dr C Savy, Sch of Computing, University of Leeds
Dr S Tobias, Applied Mathematics, University of Leeds

The scientific discipline of fluid dynamics is primarily concerned with the measurement, modelling and underlying physics and mathematics of how liquids and gases behave. Almost all natural and manufactured systems involve the flow of fluids, which are often complex. Consequently, an understanding of fluid dynamics is integral to addressing major societal challenges including industrial competitiveness, environmental resilience, the transition to net-zero and improvements to health and healthcare. Fluid dynamics is essential to the transition of the energy sector to a low-carbon future (for example, fluid dynamics simulations coupled with control algorithms can significantly increase wind farm efficiency). It is vital to our understanding and mitigation of climate change, including extreme weather events (for example in designing flood mitigation schemes). It is key to the digitisation of manufacturing through 3d printing/additive manufacturing and development of new greener processing technologies. In healthcare, computational fluid dynamics in combination with MRI scanning provides individualised modelling of the cardio-vascular system enabling implants such as stents to be designed and tested on computers. Fluid dynamics also shows how to design urban environments and ventilate buildings to prevent the build-up of pollutants and the transmission of pathogens.The UK has long been a world-leader in fluid dynamics research. However, the field is now advancing rapidly in response to the demand to address more complex and interwoven problems on ever-faster timescales. Data-driven fluid dynamics is a major area where there are rapid advances, with the increasing application of data-science and machine learning techniques to fluid flow data, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate computational simulations. For the UK to maintain its competitive position requires an investment in training the next generation of research leaders who have experience of developing and applying these new techniques and approaches to fluids problems, along with professional and problem-solving skills to lead the successful adoption of these approaches in industry and research.The University of Leeds is distinctive through the breadth, depth and unified structure of its fluid dynamics research, coordinated through the Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics (LIFD), making it an ideal host for this CDT. The CDT in Future Fluid Dynamics (FFD-CDT) will build on the experience of successfully running a CDT in Fluid Dynamics to address these new and exciting needs. Our students will carry out cutting-edge research developing new fluid dynamics approaches and applying them across a diverse range of engineering, physics, computing, environmental and physiological challenges. We will recruit and train cohorts of students with diverse backgrounds, covering engineering, mathematical, physical and environmental sciences, in both the fundamental principles of fluid dynamics and new data-driven methodologies. Alongside this technical training we will provide a team-based, problem-led programme of professional skills training co-developed with industry to equip our graduates with the leadership, team-working and entrepreneurial skills that they need to succeed in their future careers.We will build an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community that supports cross-disciplinary science and effective and productive collaborations and partnerships. Our CDT cohort will be at the heart of growing this capability, integrated with and within the Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics to deliver a dynamic and vibrant training and research environment with strong UK and international partnerships in academia, industry, policy and outreach.

22/05/24