Turbulent flow in canopies of complex geometries

Turbulent flows within canopies, whether over trees, vegetation, buildings, or solar panels, regulate the transport of carbon dioxide, humidity, and heat within microclimates, and thus play a pivotal role in urban and rural settings. Characterising momentum and scalar exchanges in canopies with different shapes and drag profiles is key to understanding flow dynamics in diverse environments and their implications for different applications. 
This project seeks to develop an understanding of the influence of complex canopy geometries on canopy flow dynamics, specifically focusing on how different geometric configurations affect flow structure and turbulence characteristics. 
This project is experimental and will utilise advanced flow measurement techniques for turbulent flow diagnosis at UQ’s low-speed wind tunnel.
 

You will join the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering and will have access to the facilities and equipment required for the project, including the low-speed wind tunnel, and advanced flow measurement equipment (Particle Image Velocimetry, Laser Doppler Anemometry, and hotwire anemometry). 
The successful candidate will also have access to facilities for mechanical and electronics engineering at UQ Innovate, other workshops, and laboratories in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. 
You will have the opportunity to work nationally and internationally with leading experts in Australia and around the world.
 

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of fluid mechanics, mathematics, and mechanical design and fabricationwould be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of fluid mechanics, mechanical/aerospace engineering and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of turbulent flow physics is highly desirable.

To be considered for this scholarship, please email the following documents to Dr Azadeh Jafari a.jafari@uq.edu.au:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Academic transcript/s
• Evidence for meeting UQ's English language proficiency requirements e.g. TOEFL, IELTS

Please note the following: Submitting the above documents does not constitute a full application for admission into The University of Queensland's PhD program. If you are selected as the preferred applicant, you will then be invited to submit a full application for admission. You can familiarise yourself with the documents required for this process on the UQ Study website.