PhD: Coupling experiments and CFD for low-cost optimization of passive control techniques: contributions of Frugal Artificial Intelligence to the study of complex flows - CDD 36 mois à IMT Nord Europe

Discipline : Fluid mechanics, Energy

Line Manager : Nadine LOCOGE

Supervision :

PhD Directors : HDR-Dr. Serge RUSSEIL (IMT Nord Europe) & Prof. Marcello MELDI (ENSAM)

PhD supervisor: Dr. Souria HAMIDOUCHE (IMT Nord Europe)

Workplace : Douai and Lille, France

Type of contract and duration : Doctoral fellowship, 3 years

THE PARTNERS :

IMT Nord Europe Campus Douai – Center for Energy and Environnent

Public establishment belonging to IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom), placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, IMT Nord Europe has three main objectives: providing our students with ethically responsible engineering practice enabling them to solve 21st century issues, carrying out our R&D activities leading to outstanding innovations and supporting territorial development through innovation and entrepreneurship. Ideally positioned at the heart of Europe, 1 hour away from Paris, 30 min from Brussels and 1h30 from London, IMT Nord Europe has strong ambitions to become a main actor of the current industrial transitions, digital and environmental, by combining education and research on engineering and digital technologies.

Located on two main campuses dedicated to research and education in Douai and Lille, IMT Nord Europe offers research facilities of almost 20,000m² in the following areas:

- Digital science,

- Processes for industry and services,

- Energy and Environment,

- Materials and Processes.

For more details, visit the School’s website : www.imt-nord-europe.fr

ENSAM Campus Lille – LMFL laboratory

The Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM, http://ensam.eu) is an engineering school. It has trained over 85,000 engineers since its foundation in 1780 by the Duke of Rochefoucauld Liancourt. It is a "Public Scientific, Cultural and Professional institution" (EPCSCP) under the authority of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers is a founding member of ParisTech. In 2007, the school adopted the brand name "Arts et Métiers Institure of Technology".

The LMFL laboratory (Laboratoire de Mécanique des Fluides de Lille - Kampé de Fériet) is a public research laboratory (UMR 9014) which is internationally recognized for the research activities performed for turbulence, rotating machines and flight dynamics. These studies are performed to obtain advanced prediction and control of complex flows. The experiment and numerical simulations performed are combined using data-driven tools coming from uncertainty propagation / quantification, data assimilation and machine learning.

For more details, visit the School’s website : https://artsetmetiers.fr/fr/campus/lille

The position is available within the Center for Energy and Environment (CERI EE). This Teaching, Research and Innovation Center, besides hosting around fifty doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, consists of 30 faculty members, 12 engineers and technicians, and 2 administrative assistants. It is structured around three thematic axes (Energy, Fluids and Transfers – Indoor Environmental Quality – Observations, Sources, and Physico-Chemical Atmospheric Processes) and two technical and expertise poles. The successful applicant will be affiliated to the team Energy, Fluids and Transfers.

BRIEF :

The efficiency of passive techniques for flow control is of main importance for several fields interested in optimizing the performance and efficiency of fluid and/or thermal components of many engineering systems (i.e automotive). Nowadays, in the framework of fluid mechanics, experimental measurements and advanced numerical methods are capable not only of an accurate general description of flow characteristics, but can also guarantee high spatiotemporal resolutions analysis of complex physical phenomena. While real-world case studies demonstrate the tangible benefits of these achievements, they unfortunately involve high costs due to heavy data processing, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive. Particularly when dealing with complex three-dimensional flows and designs, this often leads to too costly and non-affordable optimization approaches. In the global worldwide framework of the inevitable double carbon constraint (energy-climate), the main objective of this PhD project is to develop a low-cost methodology for developing and analyzing passive flow control techniques based on cutting-edge coupling of experimental and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) via Frugal Artificial Intelligence tools. This innovative method will be applied to devices such vortex generators, which produce longitudinal vortical flow structures and are extensively employed in various passive configurations. This low-tech intensification technique can be seen as a paramount for multiple applications in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, heat and/or mass transfers. Developing such an efficient approach implies an in-depth examination of the physics of the flow phenomena involving vorticity generation, and a robust and low-cost optimization procedure to achieve optimal performance and efficiency.

PHD OBJECTIVES :

Based on the strong research background and expertise of both partners (CERI EE - IMT Nord Europe and (LMFL - ENSAM), we will conduct experimental and numerical works combined to frugal Artificial Intelligence approach to propose an innovative tool for design optimization leading to innovative and cost-effective designs, following the research plan below:

• Conducting cutting-edge experimental measurements (Stereo-PIV, LDA 3D) to identify the dominant flow mechanisms involved in vorticity generation (flow separation, vortex formation, flow reattachment, vortex breakdown and vortex instabilities) under various flow regimes, including the laminar/turbulent transition.
• Development and implementation of Frugal Artificial Intelligence within the numerical platforms previously developed
• Parametric shape optimization using Frugal AI method and experimental validation leading to cost-effective designs that have the potential for flow control and transfer intensification applications
• Writing scientific articles and participate to conferences
• Educational mission: teaching practical works, manage students research projects

REQUIRED PROFILE :

This PhD project is intended for a candidate currently in their final year of undergraduate studies or a recent graduate with a degree in engineering or a Master's program, who is interested in pursuing a doctoral thesis. The candidate's academic background should have a predominant focus in fluid mechanics. Some skills in experimental testing (velocimetry), programming and computer science will be greatly appreciated.

CONDITIONS :

From October 2024 to September 2027 (3 years, temporary contract).

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION :

For any information on the missions, please contact Souria Hamidouche : souria.hamidouche@imt-nord-europe.fr , Marcello Meldi : marcello.meldi@ensam.eu , Serge Russeil : serge.russeil@imt-nord-europe.fr

For any administrative information, please contact the Human Resources Department: jobs@imt-nord-europe.fr

The position can be adapted for a disabled person.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AT IMT NORD EUROPE :

- Possibility of partial teleworking

- Exceptional working environment

- Plenty of holiday

- Collective catering on site

- Public transport paid for home-work journeys (75%)

- Sustainable mobility package (for car-pooling or cycling)

- Family supplement based on family composition

- Wide range of social benefits (1st installation compensation, financial aid, holiday vouchers, etc.)

- Stimulating innovation ecosystem (start-ups, students, research, businesses)

DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS : 15/05/2024