Fluid dynamics underpins large areas of engineering, environmental and scientific research, and is becoming increasingly important in medical science. At Leeds, we possess research expertise across each of these domains and we have an established record of working across disciplinary boundaries. This proposal builds upon this record through the establishment of a multidisciplinary CDT in Fluid Dynamics. Research techniques that will be applied, and developed, will encompass: mathematical modelling & theory; numerical methods, CFD & high performance computing (HPC); and measurement & experimentation. Engineering application areas to be addressed include: reacting flows; carbon capture, transport & storage; flow of polymer melts; mixing problems; particulate flows; coating & deposition; lubrication; medical devices; pathogen control; heat transport; wind turbines; fluid-structure interaction; and nuclear safety. Environmental application areas will consist of: groundwater flow; river/estuary flows; tidal flows; oceanography; atmospheric pollution; weather forecasting; climate modelling; dynamics of the Earth's interior; and solar & planetary flow problems. Facilities available to undertake this research include: the University's HPC system which, combined with the N8 regional facility that is hosted at Leeds, provides ~10000 computational cores, an extensive suite of licensed software and dedicated support staff; flow measurement techniques (including Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV), 2-component Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA), Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) and Ultrasonic Doppler Velocity Profiling (UDVP)); techniques for measuring fluid concentration (Ultrasonic High Concentration Meter (UHCM) and Optical Backscatter Probes (OBS)) and a range of optical metrology systems (e.g. pulsed and continuous wave lasers). The UK has a substantial requirement for doctoral scientists and engineers who have a deep understanding of all aspects of fluid dynamics from theory through to experimental methods and numerical simulation. In manufacturing and process engineering, for example, many processes depend critically on fluid flows (e.g. extrusion of polymer melts, deposition of coatings, spray drying, etc.) and it is essential to understand and control these processes in order to optimize production efficiency and reliability (see letter of support from P&G for example). In large-scale mechanical engineering there is a demand for expertise in reacting turbulent flows in order to optimize fuel efficiency and engine performance, and in wetting and surface flows for the design and manufacture of pumps and filters. There is also a need for a wide variety of skilled experts in environmental fluid flows to support the growing need to understand and predict local pollution and threats to safety (atmospheric, surface water, ocean and sub-surface flows), and to predict weather, climate and space weather for satellite technology. We will train a new generation of researchers who will have a broad range of skills to transfer into industry and environmental agencies, hence our approach will be multi-disciplinary throughout. All students will undertake both modelling and experimental training before embarking on their PhD project - which will be co-supervised by academics from different Schools. The MSc component of the programmee will be specifically tailored to develop expertise in the mathematical background of fluid dynamics, in CFD/HPC, and in experimental techniques. Team-based projects will be used to develop the teamwork and communication skills we believe are essential. Finally, engagement with industry will be a key feature of this CDT: all students will undertake an industrial placement, a large number of projects will be industrially sponsored, and our non-academic partners will contribute actively to our management, implementation and strategic development.

Understanding and characterising the behaviour of fluids is fundamental to numerous industrial and environmental challenges with wide-ranging societal impact. The CDT in Fluid Dynamics at Leeds will provide the next generation of highly trained graduates with the technical and professional skills and knowledge needed to tackle such problems. Fluid processes are critical to both economic productivity and the health and environmental systems that affect our daily lives. For example, at the microscale, the flow of liquid through the nozzle of an ink-jet printer controls the quality of the printed product, whilst the flow of a coolant around a microprocessor determines whether or not the components will overheat. At the large scale, the atmospheric conditions of the Earth depend upon the flow of gases in the atmosphere and their interaction with the land and oceans. Understanding these processes allows short term weather forecasting and long term climate prediction; both are crucial for industry, government and society to plan and adapt their environments. Fluid flows, and their interactions with structures, are also important to the performance of an array of processes and products that we take for granted in our everyday lives: gas and water flow to our homes, generation of electricity, fuel efficiency of vehicles, the comfort of our workplaces, the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and the manufacture of most of the goods that we buy. Understanding, predicting and controlling Fluid Dynamics is key to reducing costs, increasing performance and enhancing the reliability of all of these processes and products. Our CDT draws on the substantial breadth and depth of our Fluid Dynamics research expertise at the University of Leeds. We will deliver an integrated MSc/PhD programme in collaboration with external partners spanning multiple sectors, including energy, transport, environment, manufacturing, consultancy, defence, computing and healthcare, who highlight their need for skilled Fluid Dynamicists. Through a combination of taught courses, team projects, professional skills training, external engagement and an in-depth PhD research project we will develop broad and deep technical expertise plus the team-working and problem-solving skills to tackle challenges in a trans-disciplinary manner. We will recruit and mentor a diverse cohort from a range of science and engineering backgrounds and provide a vibrant and cohesive training environment to facilitate peer-to-peer support. We will build strengths in mathematical modelling, computational simulation and experimental measurement, and through multi-disciplinary projects co-supervised by academics from different Schools, we will enable students to undertake a PhD project that both strengthens and moves them beyond their UG discipline. Our students will be outward facing with opportunities to undertake placements with industry partners or research organisations overseas, to participate in summer schools and study challenges and to lead outreach activities, becoming ambassadors for Fluid Dynamics. Industry and external engagement will be at the heart of the CDT: all MSc team projects will be challenges set and mentored by industry (with placements embedded); each student will have the opportunity for user engagement in their PhD project (from sponsorship, external supervision and access to facilities, to mentoring); and our partners will be actively involved in overseeing our strategic direction, management and professional training. Many components will be provided by or with our partners, including research software engineering, responsible innovation, commercial awareness and leadership.