“I’m fascinated by the fact that we’re trying to describe something as unpredictable as turbulent flows using just a few, seemingly simple equations,” says Dr Max Hausmann from the Chair of Mechanical Process Engineering at the University of Magdeburg. His dissertation, for which he has been awarded the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg PhD Prize, focuses on the computer-aided modelling of turbulent, particle-laden flows. This is a phenomenon we encounter constantly in everyday life, for example when smoke rises from a chimney, when we breathe out, or when we watch the weather forecast.
In his work, the process engineer investigated how particles, such as dust grains or small liquid droplets, behave in turbulent flows. Whilst his research is fundamental in nature, its applications in nature and industry are far-reaching, ranging from the transport of red blood cells to the distribution of fuel droplets in aircraft turbines. This presents a particular challenge, as flows consist of both very large and very small vortices, the interaction of which is extremely complex. As it is technically impossible to calculate all vortices precisely, the engineer developed a particularly effective computer model that mathematically ‘reconstructs’ the small vortices within flows. This makes it possible to realistically simulate the influence of these small individual movements on the overall behaviour of the particles with minimal computational effort. His method could find application in many fields: for example, in weather forecasting, environmental engineering or medical research.
Dr Max Hausmann’s journey into science began whilst he was studying mechanical engineering in Dresden, where his first research experiences sparked his enthusiasm at an early stage. “What I particularly appreciate about scientific work is that it is open-ended. You never know exactly where the path will lead,” he says, describing his passion. This openness to outcomes, in conjunction with great curiosity and perseverance, also helped him overcome hurdles during his dissertation: “In research, many things don’t work straight away. But when they do eventually work out, the joy is all the greater.”
The dissertation prize is a great honour and an incentive for Dr Max Hausmann. “It makes me proud and motivates me to continue my research,” says the prize winner. “And perhaps it will also help more people to realise just how exciting and ubiquitous particle-laden turbulent flows are.”
