Why CFD?

CFD or Computational Fluid Dynamics is a new field in engineering. It is the simulation of fluids motion and it allows to model a wide brand of phenomena. From F1 to NASA, CFD is becoming more and more important.

I met this engineering field 3 years ago. I was about to start an investigation project with a teacher at the Structural Department about CFD applied to bridge sections and he recommend me to read some bibliography. Then, I started to understand how a CFD software  works and I became to like it. Better said, I started to like CFD when I realize the applications that it has but not from code developing of course!

I will post some interesting applications of CFD:

1. Formula 1. For some years ago, all the F1 teams felt the necessity of develop a CFD code that allows them to carry out simulations of they cars quicker than into the wind tunnel. This gave them the ability to improve the aerodynamic shape of the car. However, this great idea is not that easy as some teams are having troubles to adjust CFD results with experimental ones.




2. NASA. Starting from rockets up to perform aircrafts designs, NASA contributed amazingly to apply CFD to their designs and thereafter to social progresses.






3. Turbines. With the help of CFD the turbines blades have been improved. CFD codes can be launched with an optimization code and this makes that the blades geometry are modified attended to different criteria.

If you feel interested in CFD, I really encourage yourself to get into this great world that the more you know about it, the more you like it.

 

Nästa: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

After mailing lots of research departments at different universities along Europe, searching any chance to get a high quality PhD position...This week I am officially admitted at Cardiff University :D

From 1st July 2013 until June 2016 I have a PhD position to study in deep the flow in tidal turbines, with Thorsten Stoesser as supervisor. I am very happy because I will be able to carry out a Phd. I really desired this from two years ago. The PhD is about a very interest and with an amazing future project: Tidal turbines. In what concerns to me, I will be in charge to develop a CFD code that simulates properly the action of this turbines. It will help us to perform their design as well as estimate the energy they produce.

The tidal turbines are a renewable energy that nowadays it's not study in deep. These turbines work like windmills with two key differences: the sea is moving every time, it's not random like the wind. Thus, the energy is produced in every second. On the other hand, the water density is much higher than the air one. It acts with larger forces on the turbines and producing more energy than if the wind is the fluid considered.

This energy is productive since the sea level changes from 1 meter. From Cardiff to USA, this energy is of interest of researchers and that's why it has a promising future. As I am from the nortwest of Spain, I am very sad that the goverment doesn't invest an euro in investigate about it even though we have more than properly conditions. Another negative point of spanish research system. A pity.

In conclusion, this renewable energy has a lot remarkable advantages that makes me feel that in a short future we will have a constant source of energy relevant environmental impact and very very clean.

 On 3rd July this new chapter in my life begins....

3D printers

In the XV century, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printer. This little step, a simple invention, constituted a huge change in human race. It gave the ability to copy documents very quick and easy. This made that people could reach more books and then the civilization becomes more wise and very fast.

Nowadays, in the XXI century something very related to this can change the world again. I am talking about the 3D printers. This "simple" invention builds tridimensional objects just loading the sketches on your computer. A simple idea, an easy object, the most stupid thing, can be now build at your home. No more China, no more expensive products. You are the one that can make your needs come true. 

Last weeks, it has been discussed the utility of this printer: People designed weapons, NASA is investing in developing a 3D printer to apply to food, a kind of transparent layer to hide objects, etc. These are some of the possibilities that this machine gives to the user. But now, do we leave people to build anything the want? Is that dangerous? Is copright going to be applied to things printed with this? Last questions are of a huge interest for me. I do think that people is free to print anything they want. However, every person should know what can be or should not be printed.

 My conclusion is: "Wars came out with relevant inventions. I hope this invention doesn't come with a war"