Brown Bag Seminar

Friday, October 27

11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Guggenheim 442

Pizza will be served

Presenters

James Farmer

Crispin Gambill

William Zhang

James Farmer

Title:

Anisotropic Mesh Validation for Computational Fluid Dynamics Applications

Abstract:

While increasingly fine mesh within Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is associated with more accurate results, it leads to an increase in computational costs, time to converge, and chances of failure modes associated with convergence. To counteract the need for finer mesh sizes & maintain geometrical as well as solutional accuracy, a recent and unconventional anisotropic meshing has come under scope. This study aims to determine if anisotropic meshing can be used as an alternative to isotropic meshing for a complex physics problems such as a high lift Common Reference Model (CRM) wing. Anisotropic mesh cases were generated and used within a grid refinement study to be compared against isotropic counterpart data. Early study results were inconclusive and necessitated more information, therefore cases up to 300 million cells were generated. These cases failed to converge, but the size of the 300M anisotropic mesh contradicts the very nature of what anisotropy aims to accomplish. This suggests that anisotropy is not effective for dealing with complex physics models of turbulence that the high lift CRM invokes.

Advisor: 

Professor Jimmy Tai

Crispin Gambill

Title:

Scientific Payload Testing and Integration for the WEBS CubeSat

Abstract:

The Wireless Energy from Beamed Signals (WEBS) CubeSat is one part of a larger mission intended to demonstrate the applications of transferring stored power using radio waves. WEBS has six rectifying antennas (rectennas) that will convert the beamed radio waves into direct current and report the generated power to the ground. This talk will include an overview of the science behind the mission and the WEBS mission architecture, before moving on to discuss the work involved in testing and integrating the payload hardware with the rest of the satellite.

Advisor:

Professor Brian Gunter

William Zhang

Title:

Numerical studies of shock-to-detonation transition with liquid fuels

Abstract:

This project aims to identify the minimum detonation conditions required for ignition and sustained operation of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs). To accomplish this objective, a 2D configuration is developed for simulating shock-to-detonation transition. The model incorporates a dilute / dense gas spray mixture and utilizes the LESLIE Multiphysics code to simulate the evolution of the combustive spray within the channel via EL framework. By analyzing the fundamental aspects of these simulations, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the critical detonation and detonation sustainment criteria in RDE engines, which holds significant implications for future advancements in propulsion technology.

Advisor:

Professor Suresh Menon