Department of Environmental Engineering
University of Genoa

SHORT STAY TRAINEES


FUNDAMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS
Research in fundamental fluid mechanics is being carried out with specific emphasis on:

  • Stability of fluid flows and transition to turbulence, wallbounded turbulence ( 1 SST )
    This line of research is mainly concerned with the study of transition to and the structure of turbulence. Linear and nonlinear stability theory, and direct numerical simulations of the NavierStokes equations are the preferred means for the analysis. The studies performed at DIAM, conjugating leadingedge computational skills and rigorous theoretical interpretations, have led to new fundamental results and innovative interpretations of phenomena.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. A. Bottaro, Prof. G. Seminara, Prof. G. Vittori



  • Mechanics of sediment transport ( 1 SST )
    This topic of fundamental fluid mechanics is instrumental to many disciplines of environmental fluid mechanics. The description of the particlefluid interactions is the aim of the analysis which must account for the most recent developments in the field of nearwallturbulence. The group has for a long time led the world's research in this field with pioneering works on the Bagnolds´ hypothesis considered as the foundations of the theory.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. G. Seminara, Dr. M. Bolla Pittaluga


    • ENVIRONMENTAL FLUIDS MECHANICS
    The main topics of research in environmental fluids mechanics are:

  • Nearshore hydrodynamics, wave propagation, tidal and long wave mechanics ( 1 SST )
    This is a very wide area of research which is concerned with the modelling of nearshore flows. Studies of various nature have already been performed, also in the context of ONR and EU projects. Studies have ranged from the analytical investigation (most often performed by means of perturbation methods) of specific longwave phenomena, to the theoretical modelling of wave breaking and of its twophase nature, to the numerical investigation of the nearshore flow circulation, to the analysis of the swash zone dynamics and of the related boundary conditions for waveaveraged circulation models.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. M. Brocchini, Dr. G. Besio, Prof. G. Vittori, Prof. P. Blondeaux


    • BIOFLUID MECHANICS
    Research in biological fluids mechanics mainly focuses on:

  • Fishlike propulsion and its optimization ( 1 LST and 1 SST )
    The study can be regarded both as a purely scientific investigation for the analysis of the propulsive mechanisms of fish and as an applied research for the design of highthrust propellers for small submarine vehicles. The goal is the realization of propulsion through flapping wings/fins characterised by very high efficiency. Theoretical approaches and numerical tools are already available and an collaboration has been active for the past few years between the DIAM group and the Ocean Engineering Department of the MIT.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. P. Blondeaux, Prof. A. Bottaro



  • Modelling the dynamics of ocular vitreous ( 1 SST )
    The aim of the research is to investigate the fluid dynamics induced by rapid rotations ("saccades") on the vitreous body of the human eye. The research combines expertise of fluid dynamicists and ophthalmologists who provide the required clinical knowledge. The role of the nonsphericity of the eye has been successfully studied in the limit of low viscosity by a perturbation approach; a model experiment has been set up that sees the involvement of several staff members of DIAM plus a number of undergraduate and graduate students.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. G. Seminara, Prof. M. Colombini, Dr. A. Stocchino



  • Modelling the motion of biological fluids ( 1 SST )
    The application of analytical and numerical methods to a number of different problems concerned with blood flows is being considered, with specific emphasis on arterial bifurcations and stenoses as well as biomedical protheses like "stents". The role of pulsating gas bubbles has also been widely investigated.

    PLANNED SUPERVISORS: Prof. M. Brocchini, Dr. A. Stocchino


    • Last update: September 2005