Research focus
Theoretical
and experimental work carried out at the Institute covers several fields which contribute
to engineering science and to modern technology. The international
co-operation is an important part of the activity. Department of Physics and
Mechanics of Fluids, presently lead by assoc. Prof. Tomasz Kowalewski, has well
established experience in theoretical and experimental research on applied
fluid mechanics problems. The main research area covered are: multi-phase flow,
phase-change problems, atomisation image processing, flow visualisation,
Particle Image Velocimetry, Particle Image Thermometry, development of
computational models and their experimental validation.
Interests in the 6th Framework
Programme
I. TATEM
Technologies and Techniques
for New Maintenance Concept
Reduce costs and human
error, improve aircraft safety by:
1.
Analysis of the ice creation. Experienced team in studying phase change
problems. Theoretical, numerical and experimental research on creation and
removal of the ice layer.
Code validation, de-icing models and procedures.
2.
Airport visibility problems (fog, rain). Advanced study of predicting
visibility dropout using local atmospheric data. Building models for droplets
condensation and interaction to predict effect of size and concentration of
water droplets on the visibility dropout. Experienced team in studying atmospheric phenomena (clouds),
phase change, hydrodynamic interactions. Theoretical, numerical and
experimental modelling. On site code validation.
II. FRENDCOPTER
The Environmentally Friendly
Helicopter
Reducing
fuel consumption by novel combustion concepts. It needs testing flow structure
in the models using advanced experimental techniques, numerical codes validation. Our group has already participated in
5FP FLOXCOM, testing new concept of the gas turbine combustor. High speed
imaging, 3D PIV experimental methods will be used. Our experience can be used for modelling, testing and
validating flow characteristics, both for the engine flow changes as well as
due geometry modifications necessary to reduce noise generation.
III SPACE PROGRAM
New materials, improving
materials quality, solidification and melting in microgravity
Production of high quality
of the semiconductors, superconductors or DNA crystals is of great importance
to obtain more efficient devices and improve quality of life. One of the main
problems with gating high quality materials is to minimize undesired melt
circulationduring crystallization
process. Solidification and melting in orbiting space vehicles became an important way to minimize effects
of natural convection. We propose to include to the program detailed study,
both numerical and experimental, of the effects of microgravity on the flow
pattern during phase change process.
Presently we participate in one project of UE 5
Framework Program (FLOXCOM) and in one UE thematic network (PIVNET2).
Human resources
The
Institute, with its staff of about 240 highly qualified researchers (of whom
over 70 are full or associate professors, is now the biggest research
institution within the structure of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).
Scientific
and industrial co-operation
Laboratory has close international links with research
groups DLR Goettingen, University La
Sapienza in Rome, LIMSI-CNRS at Orsay, FH Stralsund, TECHNION in Israel. One
of the main subjects of these co-operations is development and application of
the PIV techniques for specific flow problems.