Research Centre Fluid and Complex Systems
Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems (FCS) Postgraduate Research
Research Coventry
discover more online www.coventry.ac.uk/research
Welcome to the Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems This is a very exciting time for the Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems (FCS). We are growing the size and scope of our research activities, pushing boundaries and delivering real world solutions to some of the most complex external challenges. Our research benefits from an impressive, ever-growing network of commercial, academic and government partnerships here in the UK, throughout Europe and across the globe. We encourage all our researchers to access and engage with these networks to enhance and promote our research to the widest possible audience. We strive to achieve maximum impact from our research, and our students have won prestigious awards and been published in top academic journals. Professor Alban Potherat Executive Director
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About FCS FCS was established in 2016. We bring together almost 100 leading applied mathematicians, statistical physicists, experimentalists, theoreticians, and specialists in scientific computing, with a focus on measuring and predicting complex systems. Our research benefits from an impressive and growing network of commercial, academic and government partnerships across the globe. FCS's combination of expertise and facilities is allied with access to flow standards’ laboratories at TÜV-NEL, a global provider of technical services in key areas including testing, certification, verification and knowledge transfer. We also provide the unique opportunity to undertake research using some of the world’s highest magnetic field facilities at the Laboratoire National des Champs Magnétiques Intenses, CNRS, Grenoble, France.
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Research themes Research within our centre is broken in to four groups:
Fluid mechanics of complex flows In this group, we tackle fundamental problems in fluid mechanics arising in natural and industrial processes. Our expertise lies in stability theory, turbulence, convection, magnetohydrodynamics, plasmas, particulate and free surface flows, as well as advanced numerical methods. Concerned with astro- and geophysical flows (in particular, in planetary interiors), metallurgical and nuclear engineering, and flow measurement, our research is supported by partners including the Royal Society, the Leverhulme Trust, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, as well as a number of industrial partners.
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Engineering applications of fluid mechanics We specialise in engineering applications of complex systems driven by fluid flow. We combine experiments, theory and numerical simulations, to gain fundamental understanding and establish quantitative models of various phenomena in which fluid dynamics is key, including mass and heat transfer, reactive transport, flow in porous media, turbulent flows, aerodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, combustion, and biomechanics. We are involved in a wide range of industrial and natural processes across scales, from microfabrication and computational fluid dynamics simulations, 3D printing, microfluidics and filters, to water resources, geohazards, enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, carbon geosequestration and renewable energy systems.
Flow modelling and process nowcasting We tackle major scientific challenges of concurrent flow measurement and modelling. Combining cutting-edge measurement with theory, our research allows accurate process control, management and optimisation, providing unrivalled predictive flow capabilities. With the development of new technologies, new measurement data will become available, offering detailed information about the fluid structure in space and time across an entire pipe or vessel. This creates the opportunity to develop a whole new generation of coupled measurement and modelling techniques. Our researchers focus on the measurement of 3D-flow structure and how this can be input into computational fluid dynamics models to help calculate associated parameters which may not be measured directly.
Statistical physics Our researchers are pioneers in interdisciplinary research of complex systems. They collaborate worldwide in biophysics, computational physics, cosmology, informatics, sociophysics, transport and narrative networks. Established in 2006, our statistical physics group has an international reputation in classical and quantum statistical physics including liquid crystals and polymers.
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Research environment We are based in Maudslay House, on the outskirts of the Coventry University Technology Park, in Coventry’s city centre. Within Maudslay House, we have a suite of laboratories with a number of fully operational flow-measurement rigs, and there are always several new experimental designs in preparation at any time. Our unique combination of expertise and facilities from Coventry University and TÜV-NEL (the former National Engineering Laboratory) allows us to work across multiple sectors to be the UK’s leading fluid and complex systems research centre. We have strong links with many UK and international companies, as well as active research projects with universities and research institutions around the world. Our close working relationship with TÜV-NEL means we have access to their world-leading test facilities for industrial-scale research in multiphase, wet gas, high-pressure and highviscosity oil, gas and water flows. In addition, we also carry out research activities at CNRS Grenoble, utilising their large-bore magnets.
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Some of the facilities available to our students include: 3-phase, oil-air-water, oil-well-flow simulator Multiphase flow loop, UK national standard (NEL) Single-phase flow calibration facilities in oil and water (NEL) Wet gas flow loop, UK national standard (NEL)
Postgraduate research: what we offer The breadth of research activity within FCS means that we are home to a varied and dynamic research culture. Our students are very important to us and we put them at the heart of our research to ensure they gain the most benefit. We have strong working relationships with industrial partners, and our students are actively involved in a weekly seminar programme. Students can also benefit from some of the other activities that FCS is involved in: Internationalisation Our ‘International Invited Researcher’ scheme attracts expert speakers from around the world to Coventry University. The scheme promotes collaborative research with leading academic experts, enhancing the international impact of research within the FCS. It provides a great opportunity for researchers from across the globe to meet and work together.
Doctoral Training Alliance FCS is part of the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) in energy, a postgraduate training initiative from University Alliance. As the largest multi-partner and only nationwide initiative of its kind, the DTA builds on the research strengths and industry-focused ethos of Alliance universities. The DTA offers a fully funded postgraduate programme in energy. Doctoral students gain access to excellent research, an expert support network, cohort development training and improved employment opportunities. The training provided as part of the DTA produces independent, highly employable researchers with knowledge, expertise and skills in strategically important research areas.
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Research Centre Fluid and Complex Systems
PGR enquiries E: research.eec@coventry.ac.uk Find us Mile Lane, Coventry, CV1 2NL www.coventry.ac.uk/CFCS
J1664-20 Š Coventry University.
Find us on social media: @CovUni_FCS