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Welcome to Flow Science Lab
Advancing Modern Computational Techniques and Engineering Sciences
The Flow Science Lab (FSL) is a group in the School of Engineering and Technology, UNSW Canberra which is a faculty of UNSW and is located at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. In general, the FSL works on Advancing Modern Computational Techniques and Engineering Sciences. The recent aim is to develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for multi-process interactions (e.g. thermal, acoustic and mechano-chemical fluid-structure interactions) and complex flows and promote their applications in laryngeal aerodynamics & vocal-fold vibration, energy harvest, fish swimming & insect flight, blood flow & blood cells, sport-related flows, aerodynamics of aircraft, and non-Newtonian flows.
Vision: To be a world-leading group for computational engineering science, pioneering predictive theories and transformative technologies for next-generation aerospace, biomedical, energy and defence systems.
Mission: To advance fundamental flow physics through computational engineering science and to transform scientific understanding into next-generation engineering technologies for the benefit of society.
Objectives: To develop independent scientists who can identify important questions, challenge established knowledge systems, develop new research methods, discover new physics, and establish their own scientific identity.
Our Values:
- Important questions over more papers. We pursue problems that matter and value scientific significance over short-term publication metrics.
- Unique strength over imitation. We develop broad research capabilities while helping every researcher build a distinctive scientific identity and core strength.
- Independent thinking over authority. We question, verify and re-derive. No result is accepted simply because it appears in a famous paper or classic textbook.
- Scientific judgement over routine. We train researchers to formulate questions, challenge assumptions, make decisions and take ownership of their science.
- Independence over dependence. Our supervision is adaptive: we provide stronger support when needed and step back as capability grows. Our ultimate goal is for students to become better than their supervisors in their own fields.
- Curiosity and beauty over short-term gain. We believe that science is not only about results, but also about discovery, elegance, creativity and the joy of understanding something previously unknown.
- Researchers over papers. We measure our success not simply by what our students publish, but by what kind of researchers they become.
Research
Key Topics
- Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) and complex flows
- Computational Methods: immersed boundary methods based on LBM, FDM, FEM and other methods
- Biological and biomedical flows
- Bio-inspired flight and propulsion
- Flow science and mechanical engineering science
- Flow stability, turbulence flow, unsteady aerodynamics & non-Newtonian fluids
Research Grants
- Saydam, S, Zhang, W., Love, P., Ranjith, P., Canbulat, I., Li, J., Dixit, V., Knights, P., Arns, C., John, M., Roshan, H., Li, B., Tian, F. B., Ata, S. Karakus, M., Oh, Y., Kwong, C. W., Katupitiya, J., Zhang, C., Zhang, X., Daiyan, R., Zhou, J., Balatbat, M., Ramandi, H. L., Nguyen, V. P., Martin, J., Vo-Doan, T. T., and Zhao, J., Next Generation Mining Methods, Australian Research Council Research Hub, 2025-2029.
- Tian, F. B., Young, J., Ravi, S., and Liu, H., Scaling laws for aerodynamics of moving wings in the Martian atmosphere, 01/2024-12/2026, Australian Research Council/Discovery Project.
- Huadong Mo, Fangbao Tian, John Young etc., and industrial partners ADUTech and Sungrow, Online Health Monitoring and Anomaly Detection in Li-Ion Batteries via Trustworthy AI, ACT Government, Energy Innovation Fund, 2025-2027.
- Tian, F. B., Pearce, G., Hazell, P., Ji, X., Lyons, D., Prusty, G. and Singh, H., Next Generation Composite Flipper, 2024-2026, Cooperative Research Australia-Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC.
- Tian, F. B., Young, J., Lai, J. C. S., Ravi, S., and Thomas, A., Fluid-structure-acoustics Interactions of Bio-inspired Flapping Wings, 01/2020-12/2022, Australian Research Council/Discovery Project.
- Tian, F. B., Young, J., Ravi, S., and Wang, L., Aerodynamic Study of Wheelchair Wheels, 2023, Australian Institute of Sport.
- Ravi, S., Tian, F. B., Young, J., and Kramer, M., Novel Strategies for Passive Gust-Mitigation, 09/2023-09/2024, ARO.
- Ravi, S., Kramer, M., Young, J., and Tian, F. B., Generalized gait control for biologically inspired undulatory robotic swimmers, 08/2023-08/2026, ONRG-BAA.
- Frankcombe, T.J., Sutherland, D.A., Ray, T., and Tian, F. B., Propellant grain regression modelling for 3D printed propelling charges, 04/2023-06/2024, DSTG.
- Ravi, S., Tian, F. B., Sarkar, S., Young, J., and Lai, J.C.S., Data driven approaches for unsteady flow control over dynamically stalling wings, 07/2022-07/2023, AOARD.
- Ravi, S., Garratt, M., and Tian, F. B., Robust Flight Control Systems for Miniature Lighter-than-air Robots, 01/2020-12/2022, ONRG-BAA.
- Tian, F. B., Ravi, S., Young, J., and Wang, L., Accurate and Efficient Calculations of Fractional Flow Reserve in Cardiovascular System, 10/2019-04/2025, Shukun Tech.
- Ravi, S., Garratt, M., and Tian, F. B., Compliant Musculoskeletal Actuation in Flying Insects and Bio-inspired Designs for Miniature Robots, 09/2019-09/2022, AOARD.
- Tian, F. B., Young, J., Kleine, H., and Ravi, S., Aerodynamic Study of Bicycle Wheels, 09/2019-08/2022, Australian Institute of Sport.
- Tian, F. B., and Prakash, R., Computationally investigate thermal behaviour of building materials through varied radiation, 2019, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science -- Innovation Connections Grant.
- Neely, A., Kleine, H., Young, J. and Tian, F. B., FIP - Digital Image Correlation Software Suite, 01/2019-12/2019; Ravi, S., Garratt, M., Kramer, M., Ritchie-Tyo, L., Swidan, A., Tian, F. B. and Young, J., FIP - tomographic particle image velocimetry system for fluid flow diagnostics, 01/2022-12/2022; Rao, J., Escobedo-Diaz, J. P., Hazell, P., Khennane, A., Lee, C. K., Mo, H., Morozov, E., Powell, D., Tian, F. B. and Xue, J., FIP - portable ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation equipment, 01/2022-12/2022; Murali, K. T., Kleine, H., Lee, C. K., Liow, J.-L., Mohotti, D., Ravi, S. Tian, F. B. , Wijesooriya and Zhao, J., Scanning pressure measurement system for aero-mech-civil engineering applications, 01/2024-12/2024 UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme.
- Neely, A., Young, J., Tian, F. B., Lai, J., de Baar, J. and Wu, D., UNSW Canberra workshop on fluid-structure interaction, Research Workshop Scheme 2018, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Numerical simulations of bushfire and virtual artery surgery, SEIT Discovery Funds 06/2017-06/2019, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Coupled dynamics, UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award 01/2017-12/2017, UNSW Canberra; Coupled FSI dynamics, UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award, 01/2018-12/2018, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Novel modelling of fluid-structure interactions in biological flows, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) 01/2016-12/2018, Australian Research Council.
- Tian, F. B., Novel modelling of fluid-structure interactions in biological flows, UNSW Canberra top-up for ARC DECRA 01/2016-12/2018, UNSW Canberra; Fluid-structure-acoustics Interactions of Bio-inspired Flapping Wings, UNSW Canberra top-up for ARC DP 01/2020-12/2022, UNSW Canberra; Scaling laws for aerodynamics of moving wings in the Martian atmosphere, UNSW Canberra top-up for ARC DP 01/2024-12/2026, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B. , Collective behaviours of a large number of swimming sperms, Rector's Start-Up Grant, 2016, UNSW Canberra.
- Sui, Y. and Tian, F. B., Rector Funded Visiting Fellow 2016, UNSW Canberra; Jaiman, R. K. and Tian, F. B., Rector Funded Visiting Fellow 2018, UNSW Canberra; Krueger, T. and Tian, F. B., Rector Funded Visiting Fellow 2018, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Fluid dynamics and free-body movement in aquatic animal swimming, Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme 2015, UNSW Canberra; Arteriovenous-graft-thrombosis prediction by advanced computational fluid dynamics, Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme 2016, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Numerical investigation of chemotaxis and separation of biological cells, Special Research Grants Program 2015, UNSW Canberra; Numerical study of flow- and shockwave-induced damages, Special Research Grants Program 2019, UNSW Canberra.
- Tian, F. B., Fluid-structure interactions and complex flows in biological and biomedical systems, National Computational Infrastructure (Project No. fu4).
Show All Grants
Research Projects
People
Faculty Members:
A/Prof Fang-Bao Tian (Principal Investigator)
Associate Professor (ARC DECRA 2016-2019, DHOSR 2023-2026) in the School of Engineering and Technology at University of New South Wales
Short Bio:
A/Prof Fangbao Tian is now an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology of UNSW Canberra.
He was awarded a PhD in Engineering Mechanics in Jun 2011 by the University of Science and Technology of China.
In Sep 2011, A/Prof Tian joined the Vanderbilt Universty as a Postdoctoral Researcher.
In Aug 2013, he joined SET as a Research Associate and got a Lecturer position here in 2014.
A/Prof Tian received ARC DECRA Fellow 2016, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2017 and to Associate Professor in 2022.
Email: John.Young-at-unsw.edu.au
Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at University of New South Wales Canberra
Short Bio:
Professor John Young is a Professor in the SET at UNSW Canberra.
He works on computational fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, refrigeration, statics and dynamics, aeromechanical systems, computer programming, and mathematics.
Current Research Members:
Mr Maksym Petrenko (MPhil Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian and Prof Young)
BEng from Kosice University of Technology, Slovakia
Research Direction: LEV in flapping wings
Miss Leqi Gao (MRes Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian and Prof Young)
Email: Leqi Gao-at-unsw.edu.au
BEng from Inner Monolia Uni Tech, and MEng from China Uni Mining & Tech (Beijing)
Research Direction: Thermal management of battery systems
Dr Jingtao Ma (Research Associate, July 2026-July 2027)
Email: Jingtao.Ma-at-unsw.edu.au
BEng & MSc from BIT and PhD from UNSW
Research Direction: Non-Newtonian flows, compressible IB-LBM, FSI
Dr Litty Varghese Thekkekara (Adjunct Lecturer, Jan 2025-Jan 2028)
Email: Litty-at-unsw.edu.au
PhD from RMIT
Mr Ramesh Nepali (PhD Candidate, Supervised by Dr Zhao, Prof Young and A/Prof Tian)
Email: Ramesh.Nepali-at-unsw.edu.au
BEng from Pokhara University, Nepal, MSc from Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni, China
Research Direction: Flow-Induced Vibration of Structures in Compressible Flows
Mr Shahbaz Ali (PhD Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian and Prof Young)
Email: Shahbaz.Ali-at-unsw.edu.au
BSc and MSc from Quaid-i-Azam Uni, Pakistan
Research Direction: Turbulence Modelling of Viscoelastic Flows Involving Complex Geometries and Fluid-Structure Interactions
Mr Marshall Lin (PhD Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian, Dr Zhao and Prof Young)
Email: Marshall.Lin-at-unsw.edu.au
BTech from UNSW, Australia
Research Direction: Bio-Inspired Flapping Wings on Mars
Mr Josh Grosser (MPhil Candidate, Supervised by Prof Pearce, A/Prof Tian and Mr Dane)
Email: Josh.Grosser-at-unsw.edu.au
BEng from the University of Sydney, Australia
Research Direction: Flapping-foil Propulsion of Unmanned Vessels
Mr Hong Ren (PhD Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian and Prof Young)
Email: Hong.Ren-at-unsw.edu.au
BEng & MSc from the Dalian Maritime University, China
Research Direction: Flow Control and Force Decomposition in Flapping Foils and Sports
Mr Vigneshwaran (Vicky) Rajendran (PhD Candidate, Supervised by A/Prof Tian, A/Prof Ravi & Prof Young)
BEng from the Anna University, India; MRes from the UNSW
Research Direction: IB-LBM and Compressible FSI
Show Previous Research Members
Previous Research Members:
Shantanu Bhat, Visiting Fellow (Aug 2024-Agu 2026), Research Associate (Mar 2023-Jul 2024);
PhD from the Monash University, Australia; M.S. from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India,
and B.S. from the College of Engineering Pune, India
Seyed Mohsen Hashem Zadeh, PhD student (Jun 2021-Jan 2026);
BEng from the Isfahan University of Technology, and MS from the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran.
PhD topic: Bushfire-enhanced wind load on building structures (Download)
Dr Krunal M Gangawane, Visiting Fellow (May 2025-July 2025); Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur.
Li Wang, Visiting Fellow (Jan 2024-Dec 2025) & Research Associate (July 2017-Jan 2024);
B.S. from the North University of China, Taiyuan, China; PhD. from BIT, China; Joint PhD student in SET, UNSW from Nov 2015 to Nov 2016
Nathan Widdup, PhD student (May 2021-Dec 2025, funded by the Jericho Fellowship, Royal Australian Air Force), BEng sudent (2019);
First job after PhD: Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Australia;
PhD topic: A Numerical Study of Bio-Inspired Flight for Martian Exploration (Download)
Vigneshwaran (Vicky) Rajendran, MRes student (May 2023-Aug 2025);
MRes topic: An IB-LBM for FSIs Involving Compressible Flows (Download)
Ramyar Rahimi, PhD student (May 2021-May 2025);
B.S. and M.S. from the Urmia University of Iran;
PhD topic: Numerical simulation of plaque growth and rupture in arteries by using IB-LB method (Download)
Karthick Dhileep, PhD student (Mar 2021-Apr 2025);
B.S. from the Deemed University, India;
PhD topic: Backward Swimming in Mosquito Larvae and Gait Transitions in Undulatory Swimming (Download)
Mohammad Ghaffari, PhD student (Oct 2020-Feb 2025);
B.S. from the Shiraz Azad University, and M.S. from the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran;
PhD topic: Numerical Study of Non-Linear FSI and Heat Transfer (Download)
Mohammed Fouad Kamel Ibrahim, PhD student (Feb 2021-Jan 2025);
B.S. and M.S. from the Helwan University, Egypt;
PhD topic: Numerical Study on Enhanced Boiling Heat Transfer by the Multiphase LBMs (Download)
Omar Aref, PhD student (Sept 2020-Dec 2024); B.S. and M.S. from the Alexandria University, Egypt;
PhD topic: Numerical Study on Unsteady Flows in Elastic Blood vessels (Download)
Victor Huang, Research Associate (July 2024-Dec 2024);
B.S. and M.S. from Dalian University of Technology, Dalian; PhD from UNSW; Project: Quantum computing of CFD.
Prof Hao Liu, Visiting Professor (Nov 2024);
Professor at Chiba University, Japan.
Li Xiao, PhD student (Oct 2020-Jul 2024); BEng and MEng from the Tongji University, China;
Topic: Effect of Spatial Variability on the Structural Performance of Geogrid Reinforced Flexible Pavement (Download)
Fei Chai, PhD student (Sep 2020-Sep 2024);
First job after PhD: Geotechnical Engineer, Pells Sullivan Meynink (PSM), Australia;
PhD topic: Pile base resistance prediction in multilayered soil systems based on direct CPT methods (Download)
Bruce Jin, PhD student (Feb 2020-Feb 2024);
First job out of the lab: Postdoctoral Fellowship at CSIRO, Australia;
PhD topic: A Numerical Study on the Flapping-Wing Aerodynamics and Vortex Dynamics (Download).
Xueyu Ji, PhD student (Nov 2018-Aug 2022) & Research Associate (Oct 2022-Dec 2023);
First job out of lab: Research Associate at Griffith University;
PhD topic: Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Performance of Bio-inspired Flapping Wings (Download)
Methma RAJAMUNI, Research Associate (Jul 2020-Mar 2023);
First job out of lab: Research Associate at School of Science, UNSW Canberra.
Qiuxiang Huang, PhD student (Feb 2017-Dec 2020) & Casual Research Associate (Jan 2021 - Mar 2023);
First job out of lab: Research Associate at QUT;
PhD topic: Low Reynolds number turbulent FSI and its applications in biological flows (Download)
Jie Yi, PhD student (based in Sydney, Mar 2017-Mar 2022);
First job out of lab: Clinical Trial Coordinator, Concord Repatriation General Hospital;
PhD topic: The impact of myocardial bridging on fractional flow reserve (Download)
Soudeh Mazharmanesh, PhD student (Mar 2016-Dec 2019) & Research Associate (Dec 2019- Sept 2021);
First job out of lab: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Sydney;
PhD topic: Energy Harvesting of Inverted Piezoelectric Flags in Uniform and Oscillating Flows (Download)
Yi Zhu, PhD student (Mar 2017-Oct 2020);
First job out of lab: Postdoctoral Fellow at Guangdong Ocean University, China;
PhD topic: A Numerical Study of Fish Adaption Behaviors by Deep Reinforcement Learning and IB-LBM (Download)
Jingtao Ma, PhD Student (Mar 2016-Dec 2019) & Research Associate (Dec 2019- Feb 2021);
First job out of lab: Postdoctoral Research with Prof Pierre Sagaut at Aix-Marseille University, France;
PhD topic: Effects of the Non-Newtonian Rheology on FSIs in Biological Flows (Download)
Xu Yu, PhD student (Jul 2016-Jul 2020);
First job out of lab: Postdoct with Prof Klaus Regenauer-Lieb at UNSW and later Lecturer at China University of Mining and Technology;
PhD topic: Multiscale Simulations of Coal Seam Gas Transport with the IB-LBM (Download)
Ram Prakash, Industry Visiting Fellow from Oct 2019-Jun 202020;
Engineer from Ignis Solutions, and now Senior Researcher at DSTG.
Lincheng Xu, PhD student (Jul 2015-May 2019);
First job out of lab: Postdoctoral Research with Prof Pierre Sagaut at Aix-Marseille University, France;
PhD topic: An Adaptive Mesh-based IB-LBM with LES and its Applications in Bio-fluid Dynamics (Download)
Zhengliang Liu, PhD student (Aug 2014-Mar 2018); Research Associate (Apr 2018-December 2018);
First job out of lab: Postdoctoral Research at Institute of Future Cities, Chinese University of Hongkong;
PhD topic: Numerical analysis of the performance of flapping foil power generators (Download)
Dr Timm Krueger, Rector Funded Visiting Fellow (Oct-Nov 2018);
Professor in Chemical Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Daniel Pedisic, 4th year UG student (Mar 2018-Nov 2018);
Research topic: CFD investigation of low Reynolds number flapping power generation.
Aamer Shahzad, PhD student (Dec 2013-Dec 2017);
First job out of lab: Assistant Professor, College of Aeronautical Engineering, NUST, Pakistan;
PhD opic: Numerical analysis of the effects of flexibility, shapes and aspect ratios on hovering wing aerodynamics (Download)
Dongyan Gao, Visiting Fellow (Oct 2016-May 2017);
Professor at Nanjing Institute of Technology, China.
Vishal Naidu, Research Associate (casual, Mar 2016-Oct 2016); Topic: FSI of sperm swimming.
Dr Yi Sui, Rector Funded Visiting Fellow (Jul 2016);
Professor at Queen Mary University of London, UK.
Edward Petersen, UG practicum student (From Jan 2016 to Feb 2016; Jun 2016 to Aug 2016).
Topic: FSI of sperm swimming.
Prof Wenquan Wang, Visiting Fellow (From Nov 2014 to Apr 2015);
Professor at Sichuan University, China.
Publications
Latest journal publications (underlined = supervised student/researcher authorship)
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Articles from Flow Science Lab are widely cited across various regions and organisations
Opportunities
Collaborations
The Flow Science Lab welcomes collaborations with industry, government agencies, research organisations and individuals who share our passion for advancing science and engineering. We work closely with our partners to solve challenging fluid-related problems through cutting-edge computational engineering, fundamental scientific discovery and innovative technology development. Whether your interest lies in aerospace, defence, renewable energy, biomedical engineering, advanced manufacturing or emerging technologies, we welcome opportunities to create impact together.
PhD/Masters Candidates
We are looking for enthusiastic, energetic and talented students to join our Lab as PhD or Masters Candidates. The Candidates can work on our existing projects or establish their own research projects using the resources in the Lab, at UNSW Canberra and with other collaborators around the world. If you are interested in these topics or have your thoughts and want to develop your career in our Lab, please contact A/Prof Fangbao Tian or Prof John Young with your background, goals and interests and we will see if our Lab might be a good choice for you. You may need to visit the Student Administrative Services of UNSW Canberra about the application process.
The topics we are most interested in include (but are not limited to):
- Fluid-structure interaction involving structure damage (numerical methods & their applications);
- Fluid-structure-acoustics interaction with applications in bio-inspired flapping wings, phonation or other biological systems;
- Fluid-structure interaction of surgically changed arteries or other biological systems;
- Low Reynolds number supersonic flows and their applications in space exploration;
- IB-LES/RANS-LBM for fluid-structure interactions in heat transfer and bushfire with AI;
- Flow instabilities, control and optimisation over flapping foils;
- Fluid-structure interaction, stability analysis and control of supersonic and hypersonic flows;
- IB-LBM modelling of mechano-chemical fluid-structure interaction;
- IB-LBM modelling of TFSI with applications in battery, energy storage and Martian atmosphere;
- AI assisted fluid dynamics and smart fluid-structure interaction;
- Fluid dynamics of Sports (e.g. cycling, swimming, archery, sailing and rowing);
- Large-scale engineering flows by using immersed boundary method;
- Dendritic growth and its interaction with solid walls;
- Fluid-structure interaction and acoustics in rarefied gas flows;
- Global stability analysis of FSI and TFSI;
- Quantum computing in computational fluid dynamics.
Show All HDR Topics
Postdoctoral Researchers
We do not have grants for Postdoctoral Researchers right now. But if you have your own grant or you are intereted in seeking support from UNSW, for example the UNSW Scientia Fellowships, please contact A/Prof Fangbao Tian or Prof John Young. We would like to host you if we can find shared interests.
Visiting Scholars/Students
We are also interested in hosting Visiting Scholars/Students aligned with the interests of UNSW and Australia if we have shared interests with the candidates. Please contact A/Prof Fangbao Tian or Prof John Young for inquiries. For visiting students, you need to apply for the Research Practicum.