Research Summary
My research focuses on the vortical flow sensing and control in fundamental fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems as well as aero/aquatic bio-propulsion and maneuvering. Due to its complexity, the highly non-linear physics for a lot of fluid mechanics problems have been elusive, and therefore hard to transfer into real-life applications.
With my colleagues and collaborators, I believe apart from the traditional fluid mechanics experimentation and modeling techniques, additionally with an inspiration from the nature (animals' locomotion and sensory capabilities), and the advancement of the machine learning technologies, we can study and further our understanding for the FSI problem in an intelligent, integrative, informational and interdisciplinary way (i⁴ FSI).
Therefore, my research efforts can be summarized in the following four topics:
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Active physical informed (and -informative) experimentation with an Intelligent Towing Tank (ITT)
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Vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of flexible structures
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Adaptive construction of hydrodynamic databases
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Bio-inspired fluid mechanics
I developed and constructed a robotic intelligent towing tank (ITT) capable of learning complex fluid-structure dynamics. This is a vivid demonstration of J.C.R. Licklider's 50 years ago hope that “in not too many years, human brains and computing machines will be coupled together very tightly, and that the resulting partnership will think as no human brain has ever thought and process data in a way not approached by the information-handling machines we know”.
By implementing Gaussian process regression (GPR), deep reinforcement learning (Deep RL) and Physical-informed neural network (PINN) as the main learning algorithms. ITT is able to systemically explore and exploit the rigid cylinder VIV, flow control and FSI system parameter estimation problems impracticable with the traditional approach of sequential hypothesis-testing and subsequent train-and-error execution.
Vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of flexible structures, as a canonical FSI problem, has a considerable theoretical interest as it constitutes a fundamental nonlinear FSI system, while it is vital for the design of nearshore/offshore systems to avoid catastrophic fatigue damage. Till now, this problem still stays in the center of fluid mechanics investigations.
I developed an optical tracking experimental tool that can measure the detailed vibrational response and also allows the evaluation of the distributed forces acting along the structure. With ITT's systemic exploration of the rigid cylinder VIV hydrodynamics and detailed wake visualization by high-fidelity simulations, I assess the validity of underlying strip theory assumptions and shed some light on some fundamental physics properties in the flexible cylinder VIV modeling.
Reference: Paper 01, Paper 02, Paper 03, Paper 04, Paper 05, Paper 06.
In order to map the hydrodynamic properties of the flexible structures undergoing complex motions, we relay on the construction of the comprehensive hydrodynamic databases using rigid body experiments with parametric inputs. These experiments can be useful to understand physics of the problem as well as to build a reduced-order model for real-life prediction with an adequate fidelity.
Taking advantage of the autonomy of the ITT sequential and adaptive experimental capability, I constructed several world-first hydrodynamic databases of the rigid cylinder with a combined-inline-and-crossflow motion, adding additional effects of Reynolds number, wake interference of upstream cylinder and different cylinder configurations.
Reference: Paper 02, Paper 02, Paper 03, Paper 04, Paper 05, Report 01.
The core of the biomimicry research is to integrate the bio-inspired concept with the fundamental scientific principles in order to solve the difficult engineering problems in a revolutionary way. As for the ocean, we observe various aerial/aquatic animals after million years of evolution, developed mesmerizing techniques to adapt harsh surroundings, maneuver, and navigate in unknown environments. Such observation can be transferred and integrated into the bio-inspired design for next generation aerial/aquatic vehicles. Link.
On the other hand, a well-controlled laboratory setting using devices capable of capture (re-enact) the key performance of the animal target can help us to better understand the animals' "secrecy" of locomotion and sensory ability that is difficult to study in the field. Link.
Miscellaneous
Apart from the fascinating Vortical fluid dynamics, from undergraduate, I have also been interested various non-conventional vehicles (robots), including my design of hexapods "Sun-Shine", autonomous underwater vehicle "Flying Fish" and the construction of a 2m renewable-energy-powered autonomous multi-hull sailboat "Harmony".