This group is directed by Neelesh A. Patankar, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University.
We specialize in fast and efficient
algorithms for fully resolved simulation of immersed
bodies in fluids. Our techniques are applicable at varying
length scales ranging from Brownian systems to high
Reynolds number flows. The immersed bodies can be rigid
particles or freely swimming/flying bodies. One of our
primary thrusts is to apply our simulation techniques
to problems in biofluiddynamics. These problems are:
understanding the fundamentals of aquatic locomotion
and aerial flight, evolution of fish form and function
including the development of an artificial evolution
computational tool and, active mechanics of intracellular
processes. Some other application areas we are interested
in are animation, sediment transport in geomorphic processes,
and dynamics of sport balls.
Other areas of research include studying the Lotus
effect and its application to self-cleaning surfaces,
low drag and slip near hydrophobic surfaces, and electrohydrodynamic
flows and instabilities in microfluidic or nanoscale
devices.
Our work has been supported by NSF and
DARPA.
|
