New theoretical and experimental approaches to uncover the central mechanisms of the physics of unstable flows
The transition from laminar to turbulent flow has a significant impact on the efficiency of wind turbines and aeroplane wings, but remains poorly understood due to its complex interactions. With support from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the COMPOSE project combines experiments and high-fidelity simulations to study the physics of these transitions. However, the resulting large data sets are difficult to interpret and apply directly to practical models. To manage these vast amounts of generated data, COMPOSE is developing a data-driven framework to identify the key factors underlying unstable flow structures. This enables the development of accurate, reduced-order models, which are essential for devising flow control strategies. These advances can significantly improve the efficiency of aerospace and energy systems, benefiting sectors that rely on aerodynamic performance.