Computational Fluid Mechanics

We are developing and applying computational methods for fluid/thermal, structural, and molecular dynamics.

A number of our faculty perform research in the computational modeling of mechanical engineering systems for discovery and design. These systems are characterized by complex physics and attendant numerical methods in the disciplines of fluid dynamics (e.g., multiphase flows, aerodynamics), heat transfer (e.g., propulsion, boiling), structural mechanics (soft tissue, many-body dynamics), and molecular dynamics (interfaces, materials).

A common element of these research activities is the use of Penn State’s modern high performance computing resources. Broad industry and government research sponsorship engages our students and faculty in state-of-the-art technology development and application of new algorithms and constitutive models, including multi-scale (i.e., molecular-micro-macro) and multi-disciplinary (i.e., flow-structure-biology-controls) coupling.

Computational Reacting Flows Lab

Yuan Xuan

Fluid Dynamics Research Consortium

Robert Kunz, Laura Pauley

Flow Physics and Computational Research Lab

Xiang Yang

Interfacial Phenomena Lab

Bladimir Ramos-Alvarado

Penn State Computational Biomechanics Group

Reuben Kraft

Mathematical Modeling & Computational Physics Laboratory

David Williams