About the project
How does turbulence shape the development and dispersion of smoke, pollutants and airborne particles? This project will use world-leading wind- and water-tunnel experiments and advanced optical techniques to investigate how buoyancy, wind patterns and turbulent flows interact, with applications in wildfire smoke, atmospheric pollution, urban air quality and weather prediction.
Turbulence plays a central role in how smoke, pollutants and airborne particles disperse through the environment. Buoyant wildfire plumes, emissions from industrial sources and pollutants released within cities are all shaped by interactions between buoyancy, turbulent mixing and surrounding wind patterns. Around buildings, urban aerodynamics can strongly influence where pollutants spread and accumulate, yet these complex processes remain challenging to predict.
This project will use experiments to investigate the fundamental fluid mechanics governing the development and dispersion of buoyant plumes and particles in turbulent flows. The precise focus will be developed with you, with scope to explore applications in wildfire smoke, atmospheric pollution, urban air quality and weather prediction. The research will make use of the University of Southampton’s world-leading experimental fluid mechanics facilities, including a range of wind tunnels and a recirculating water tunnel, brought together through the Centre for Experimental Fluid Mechanics.
Experiments will employ state-of-the-art optical techniques, including:
- particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)
- three-dimensional particle tracking using shake-the-box
- planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF).
These methods will provide detailed measurements of turbulent velocity fields, particle motion and scalar concentrations. The resulting datasets will improve understanding of plume development, turbulent mixing and particle dispersion, and provide valuable evidence for developing and evaluating environmental and atmospheric models.
You'll receive extensive training in experimental fluid dynamics, wind- and water-tunnel experimentation, and advanced optical measurement techniques. This will include Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), three-dimensional particle tracking using Shake-the-Box, and Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF). You'll also develop skills in experimental design, optical diagnostics, image processing, scientific programming, uncertainty analysis and the interpretation of complex turbulent flows. Opportunities will be provided to present research at national and international conferences, publish scientific papers and engage with researchers working in environmental fluid mechanics, atmospheric dispersion and urban aerodynamics.
The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
