Computational Efficiency and Better Understanding of River Deltas Using Lattice Botlzmann Method

River deltas are home to half a billion of people, are among the most productive ecosystem on earth, and constitute the main food source for many nations. Understanding the evolution of river deltas has become a pressing issue due to climate change, and considering challenges connected to food security, land reclamation, and overpopulation of coastal environments. Numerical models are suitable tools to investigate the evolution of these rich ecosystems; however, detailed numerical simulations require high spatial and temporal resolution and the computational efforts become a limiting factor even when using parallel computing. This is especially true when dealing with the model of turbulence characteristics and turbulent eddies generation.

This project has the dual goal of:

i) Improving the computational efficiency of numerical methods for the model of coastal areas by exploring the use of novel numerical techniques more suitable for parallel, and GPU computing;

ii) Investigating the influence of hydrodynamic, and turbulence characteristics of rivers, and coastal areas on the morphological development of river deltas. This is important as the shape, and aerial extent of deltas affect coastal communities, especially under a climate change scenario.

This project is interdisciplinary, and includes themes related to: computer science, oceanography, engineering, and environmental change.

For enquiries on the application process or to find out more about the Dual programme please contact Miss Hannah Fosh [Email Address Removed]