PhD Studentship: Dispersion in turbulent boundary layers

Engineering & the Environment

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Saturday 10 February 2018

Reference: 838517F2

Project Reference: CDT-SIS-164

The aim of this project is to study how mass is transported in boundary layer flows and is effected by local flow structures created by complex surface topographies. Experiments will trace the dispersion of fluorescence dye released in a water channel, utilizing the laser-diagnostic techniques of particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) to measure the velocity and concentration in the flow. A variety of surface topographies will be generated by 3D printing and placed in the flow to study how different surfaces can create preferential pathways (such as through urban canyons) for mass transport. There is also the opportunity to further develop these experimental techniques using multiple lasers to acquire pioneering 3D concentration measurements. The results of these experiments will aid our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of dispersion and be used to develop models to track pollution in the atmosphere and oceans. Applicants should have experience with design and manufacturing of equipment (such as undergraduate training in the machine shop or extracurricular project work) and/or experience performing experiments in fluid mechanics (such as previous project work in a wind tunnel or water channel).

In order to gain insight into the transport of pollution in the atmosphere and oceans, experiments will be performed studying the dispersion of fluorescent dye released in the controlled environment of a laboratory water channel. Laser-diagnostic techniques will be used to measure the velocity and concentration or the dye. Flows around different types of 3D printed surfaces (representing urban, rural, and/or sea-bed topography) will be studied in order to determine the effects of buildings, urban canyons, and the flow structure on the mass transport.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Christina Vanderwel, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics research group, Email: C.M.Vanderwel@soton.ac.uk.

This project is being run in participation with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (http://www.cdt-sis.soton.ac.uk/). For details of our 4 Year PhD programme and further projects, please see http://www.findaphd.com/search/PhdDetails.aspx?CAID=2477

To apply, please use the following website: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/apply.page

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification