Fluids Group

Researchers in the Fluids Group of the department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering investigate the underlying physical principles of complex systems and develop improved models for renewable energy applications and for sustainable energy use (see Figure 1).

Experimental, computational and theoretical fluids dynamics research is carried out by the group, with applications in wind energy, bluff body aerodynamics and turbulent flows on rough surfaces, which can be applied to hydroelectric power turbines and aircraft propulsion turbines. A unique experimental facility known as the OTTER Lab (Optical Towing Tank for Energetics Research) enables large scale testing of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flows using highspeed laser and camera systems (see Figure 2).

Detonation of alternative fuel mixtures and the development of new engines is a second major research theme of this group, and includes the development of highly efficient combustion engines for aerospace. 

Members of this group include an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and fellows of the American Physical Society (APS), the Combustion Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), and the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). The group also includes the former Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Turbulence Simulation and Modelling, the former HPCVLSun Microsystems Chair in Computational Science and Engineering, the managing editor of the Shock Waves journal and the editor-in-chief of the  Journal of Turbulence. Members have been awarded the Jules Stachiewicz Medal, a CANCAM Award, and a Discover Magazine Award for Technical Innovation.

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