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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/K027379/1
Title: Developing Software for High-Order Simulation of Transient Compressible Flow Phenomena: Application to Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Principal Investigator: Vincent, Professor PE
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BAE Systems Imperial College London NASA
nVIDIA Regents of the Univ California Berkeley Stanford University
Swansea University University of Utah Zenotech Ltd
Department: Aeronautics
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: EPSRC Fellowship
Starts: 23 September 2013 Ends: 22 September 2018 Value (£): 1,011,005
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 May 2013 Engineering Fellowships Interviews May 2013 Announced
11 Mar 2013 Engineering Prioritisation Meeting 11/12 March 2013 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Over the past decades, computer simulations have played an increasingly important role in design of numerous complex systems. In particular, computer simulations have played a pivotal role in aerodynamic and structural design of aircraft. It is becoming apparent, however, that current generation software packages used for aerodynamics design are not fit for purpose. Newer software is required, that can make effective use of current and future computing platforms, to perform highly accurate so called 'scale-resolving' simulations of air flow over complex aircraft configurations. Such capability would lead to design of more efficient and capable aerospace technology. In particular, it would greatly improve design of next generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which in the coming decades are set to have a significant impact on our society, playing key roles in areas such as defense, border security, search and rescue, farming, fishing, cargo transport, wireless communications, and weather monitoring.

The primary objectives of this research are to i.) develop software that can effectively leverage capabilities of current and future computing platforms (with many thousands or even millions of computing cores) to undertaken hitherto intractable simulations of airflow over complex UAV configurations ii.) test and demonstrate cutting edge functionality of this software, iii.) translate the technology to industry, such that it can be used to facilitate design of next generation UAVs.

The research program will be lead by Dr. Peter Vincent (a Lecturer in the department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London). It will be undertaken in collaboration with various industrial partners including BAE Systems, NASA Glenn, Nvidia, and Zenotech, and with various academic partners including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of Swansea, and University of Utah. This assembled team of project partners, comprising a selection of the world's leading companies, and elite research institutions, will ensure the project successfully delivers its objectives.

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Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk