Research
Wind Energy
Wind energy (or more specifically, the kinetic energy of wind) is one of the most common forms of natural energy that is readily available on the Earth. With ever-increasing demand for energy worldwide, it is becoming more and more important to understand how to extract wind energy efficiently at a very large scale. This is a complex multi-scale problem and requires an interdisciplinary approach between engineering and atmospheric physics.
Our research employs theoretical and computational methods to look into relevant fluid flow problems at various scales, ranging from the dynamics of small vortices generated by wind turbine blades to large-scale motions of the atmospheric boundary layer, and most importantly, how to model their interactions across scales.
Atmospheric Boundary Layer Interaction with Wind Turbine Arrays >>> Read paper 1 2
Optimal Wind Turbine Design and Control for Large Wind Farms >>> Read paper
Modelling of Horizontal-Axis and Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Wakes
Combined Effects of Local Blockage and Wake Mixing in Large Wind Farms
Tidal & Marine Current Energy
Tidal and marine current energy is one of the emerging areas in renewable energy technologies, although its basic concept has been known for many years. Leading industrial companies have already demonstrated the performance of megawatt-scale water turbines and are currently designing the first-generation large-scale arrays.
Our research explores the optimal design of tidal and marine current power plants by understanding the underlying multi-scale flow physics of water turbine arrays.
Extended Actuator Disc Theory for Marine Turbines >>> Read more
Optimal Energy Extraction from Turbulent Open Channel Flow
Integrated Multi-Scale CFD Modelling of Marine Turbine Arrays
Aerodynamics / Flow Control
Our research also looks into some fundamental aerodynamics and flow control problems, such as the separation of turbulent boundary layers and transition from laminar to turbulent flows.
Formation Mechanisms and Characteristics of Stall Cells >>> Read paper
Lift Enhancement of Bumpy Leading-Edge Wings
Flow Separation Control by Coanda Jets and Synthetic Jets >>> Read paper
Swept Wing Boundary Layer Transition Control
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) & Turbulence Modelling
Applications and Validation of Hybrid RANS-LES Approaches
Applications and Validation of Laminar-Turbulent Transition Models
RANS Modelling of Highly Anisotropic Turbulent Flows
Stability, Mode Transition and Non-Uniqueness of URANS solutions
Other Topics
Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Wake Instability >>> Read thesis
Ground Effect Aerodynamics
Wind Tunnel Wall Effects >>> Read paper
CFD Modelling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells