Scientific Computing and Fluid Dynamics Lab

MISSION

To advance theories and computational methods and deepen the understanding of fluid flow and related physical phenomena in pursuit of innovative engineering solutions.

ACADEMICS

SCFDL welcomes both graduate and undergraduate researchers. Students interested in joining the lab are encouraged to read the Advising page before contacting the faculty advisor to learn about project availability. Graduate research is typically pursued by MAE students enrolling in the master's (thesis) program and the doctoral program at UTK. The doctoral research topic is usually chosen in collaboration with the faculty advisor. Undergraduate research is typically pursued by MAE students in their junior and senior years. The scope of an undergraduate research project can be tailored to the student's interests, course backgrounds, and career goals. Mathematics students at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels are also welcome. The faculty advisor can co-advise these students.

RESEARCH

Our lab performs both basic and applied research projects. A basic research project focuses more on numerical methods and fundamental knowledge for algorithm development. An applied research project focuses more on numerical/physical modeling, software design, and data analysis. Strong background in numerical methods, applied mathematics and physics, and computer programming is essential for the type of research performed in this lab.

Faculty

Graduate Students

Lab Alumni

M.S. Students 

• Trenton Henderson (2024 NSF-GRFP Fellow), Aerospace Engineering (M.S., 2024) 

--- Applications Engineer, Tennessee Machine Tool Supply Inc.

• Luc Lipcius, Aerospace Engineering (M.S. Research Project, 2023) 

--- Aircraft Completions Supervisor, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

B.S. Students

• Aidan Lay, Mechanical Engineering (2024-2025) 

--- Direct Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (with Interdisciplinary Graduate Minor in Computational Science), University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Jackson Dendy, Aerospace Engineering (2024)

• Thomas Scott (2023 Foster Fellow), Mechanical Engineering (2022-2024) 

--- Direct Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

• Michael Davis, Mechanical Engineering with Minor in Aerospace Engineering (2023) 

--- M.Sc. in Race Car Aerodynamics, University of Southampton, UK

• Trenton Henderson, Aerospace Engineering (2020-2022) 

--- Direct Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (with Interdisciplinary Graduate Minor in Computational Science), University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Even Hals, Aerospace Engineering (2022)

--- Engineer, ATA Engineering, Inc.

• Noah Jagielski, Aerospace Engineering (2022)

--- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, UT Space Institute

• Colby Warden, Mechanical Engineering (2021)

--- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Caleb Ross, Aerospace Engineering (2020-2021)

--- Propulsion Engineer, Raytheon Technologies

• Makaela Sides, Aerospace Engineering (2020)

--- Structures Engineer, Lockheed Martin

Summer Students

• Daniel Korol, Pennsylvania State University, PA (2026)

• Nathan A. Seamans, University of California Los Angeles, CA (2026)

• Haripriya Mahapatra, Clarkson University, NY (2026)

• Matthew Schnese, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO (2026)

• Vaibhav Bhoovarahan, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2026)

• Sanwarya Sajish Mavilaveettil Ponnon, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2026)

• Tor Burwell, University of Colorado Boulder, CO (2025)

• Chayapat Bunterngsook, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2025)

• Jacob Horn, Fred J. High School, Franklin, TN (2024)

• Ahadu Mengesha, Farragut High School, Knoxville, TN (2024)  

--- B.S. in Electrical Engineering (with a minor in Data Science), University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Ava Snowdon, Myers Park High School, Charlotte, NC (2024)

--- University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Gabe Renwick, Cleveland High School, Cleveland, TN (2024)

     --- University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Michael Sutton, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN (2024)

• Ashley Bancroft, Farragut High School, Knoxville, TN (2023) 

--- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Central Florida

• Maushmi Thirumaran, Farragut High School, Knoxville, TN (2023) 

--- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (with a minor in Computer Science), Auburn University

Honorary Member