CFD Modeling & Energy Systems Research

Now Recruiting: Undergraduate & Graduate Research Opportunites Led by Dr. Zhaouri Li

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) leverages high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and GPU acceleration to investigate complex fluid flows in advanced energy systems

Dr. Li’s student research addresses challenges across:

  • Advanced propulsion systems
  • Renewable energy technologies
  • Fusion energy
  • Multiphase combustion
  • Offshore wind and marine atmospheric systems

This work combines high-fidelity numerical simulations with modern computational methods to improve performance, efficiency, and stability in next-generation energy systems.

 

Research Areas

Plasma Instabilities & Fusion Energy

High-order two-fluid plasma solvers are used to investigate plasma turbulence and magnetized Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities (MRTI) during inertial confinement fusion (ICF) deceleration stages

Shock–Turbulence–Combustion Interactions

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is applied to study shock-turbulence-combustion interactions in:

  • Supersonic combustion ramjets
  • Advanced blast chambers

High-order Monotonicity-Preserving schemes enable accurate shock capture without numerical oscillations

Multiphase & Multicomponent Flow Modeling

Advanced CFD methodologies investigate:

  • Spray combustion in dump combustors and swirl burners
  • Turbulence-droplet-combustion coupling
  • Interface dynamics using Cahn-Hilliard Navier–Stokes equations

Hybrid LES-FMDF models resolve complex multiphase interactions

Variable Property Turbulent Flows

Numerical studies address turbulent flows with large variations in:

  • Viscosity
  • Mass diffusion
  • Heat conduction

Applications include astrophysics, fusion systems, and biological transport processes

Wind–Wave Interaction & Offshore Energy

Research investigates multi-scale, multi-physics wind–wave interactions in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL)

This work improves understanding of:

  • Offshore wind turbine performance
  • Wave boundary layer dynamics
  • Energy extraction efficiency

High-Fidelity Simulation Examples

Examples of CFD simulations conducted at TAMU-CC include high-resolution turbulence fields, plasma instability modeling, combustion spray simulations, and wind–wave boundary layer interactions

 CFD Simulations

Research Activites May Inclue

  • High-order CFD solver development
  • GPU-accelerated simulation workflows
  • AI/ML-enhanced turbulence modeling
  • Plasma and fusion modeling
  • Multiphase combustion simulations
  • Offshore wind flow analysis

For more information please reach out to Dr. Zhaouri Li. 

 

Contact