PhD Research Studentships

Vortex interactions in supersonic flows

Supervisors: Kshitij SABNIS and Eldad AVITAL
Apply by:30 April 2024
Start in:September (Semester 1)

Description

The rising demand for fast air travel has renewed interest in developing civilian supersonic aircraft alongside military vehicles. These high-speed aircraft typically generate several vortical structures in close proximity. The vortices interact with one another and with other flow features in the vicinity of the aircraft, including boundary layers and shock waves. Such interactions can substantially change the structure of the vortex and the surrounding flow field, with important consequences for the aerodynamic performance and manoeuvrability of the vehicle. However, the complex underlying physics is poorly understood and computational methods typically used in industry often struggle to accurately capture vortex interactions.

The PhD project will address this gap in knowledge using high-quality supersonic wind tunnel experiments. A range of vortices with different characteristics (such as strength and position) will be generated and carefully characterised for several Mach numbers. The interactions of the vortices with each other, boundary layers and shock waves will be examined to establish the key parameters governing these flow fields. The collected measurements will also form a valuable data set for the validation of computational methods that aim to accurately capture supersonic vortex interactions. In this way, the project will constitute a key step towards improving the aerodynamic performance of future high-speed vehicles.

As part of this PhD project, the successful candidate will conduct wind tunnel experiments using a range of  traditional and innovative optical techniques, including:
  • high-speed schlieren imaging
  • pressure-sensitive paint
  • laser velocimetry (particle image velocimtery/laser Doppler anemometry)
By conducting novel experiments and analysing measurements, the PhD student will gain key skills in state-of-the-art wind tunnel testing and high-speed aerodynamics. The ideal candidate will be of an Engineering or Physics background and will have relevant experience in fluid mechanics or aerodynamics. As part of this project, candidates will benefit from close collaboration with world-leading academic and industrial research partners.

Funding

Funded by: EPSRC
This EPSRC DTP studentship is fully funded and includes a 3.5 years stipend (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa) and 3 years fees at the home level.

Overseas applicants are encouraged to apply, but note that UKRI limit the proportion of international students appointed each year to 30% of the total.

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have settled status, or
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have indefinite leave to remain
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classified as an International student (as advised above, this year UKRI announced that there will be a limited number of studentships for international students available).

There is further guidance on UKRI Eligibility Criteria, within in Annex One of the International Eligibility Guidance. (www.ukri.org/publications/eu-and-international-eligibilit...)

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
  • SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
  • Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
  • Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Kshitij SABNIS or Eldad AVITAL.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Aerospace Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):

Apply Now »

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-554" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Related website:https://admin.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/k.sabnis
SEMS Research Centre:
Intelligent Transport
Keywords:Aerospace Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics, Experimental Physics