Warrick Miller, a PhD student in our group, (but based at the University of Adelaide), has recently published new numerical research investigating the transient nature of the flow field created by high-speed injection into a hypersonic cross flow, along with collaborators Paul Medwell (Adelaide) and Minkwan Kim (Southampton). The aim is to better understand the underlying physical mechanisms affecting the resulting surface pressure and control force on hypersonic vehicles. It is important because it affects the acoustic loading inside hypersonic propulsion systems and the loading on the airframe, as well the ability to control the stability of these vehicles. The paper gives unprecedented insight into the unsteady flow physics and moves us a little closer to realising cost-effective hypersonic flight. A sample of Warrick’s results is shown below, please check out the full article:


Full article:
Miller, W. A., Medwell, P. R., Doolan, C. J., & Kim, M. (2018). Transient interaction between a reaction control jet and a hypersonic crossflow. Physics of Fluids, 30(4), 046102.





Isometric contours of Q-criterion, for Q = 1010, coloured by velocity magnitude, showing instantaneous flow structure.

Professor Con Doolan is at UNSW Sydney in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. He runs the Flow Noise Group and is also Deputy Head of School (Education).