Research
The research at CAPS focuses on the modeling and control of various types of instabilities in turbulent flows and combustion systems, and on the great challenges of suppressing anthropogenic CO2 and pollutant emissions.
Our research is at the interface between fluid mechanics, combustion science, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics and control theory. We work at the fundamental level on canonical systems, as well as on practical configurations for electric power generation and aeronautic propulsion, in order to explain complex flow phenomena, attack unexplored problems and trigger technological headways. We follow three lines of research using combined theoretical, experimental and numerical approaches: Combustion, Acoustics, Thermoacoustics and Flow Physics.
Many of our projects are directly relevant for the immense challenge of climate change. One of our missions is to create a solid knowledge basis for the development of sustainable combustion technologies. A flagship project at the lab is supported by the European Research Council and aims at understanding and controlling thermoacoustic instabilities in new sequential gas turbine combustors. The motivation for this research is the envisioned clean combustion of sustainably produced hydrogen in these large turbines, which will play a key role in stabilizing the electricity networks by balancing the intermittent production from the wind and solar sources.
Combustion research for aeronautic applications is another core research activity. Although significant progress is being made in propelling light aircraft over short distances with electric motors, the electrification of long-haul flights, which cause most of the emissions and cannot be substituted by high-speed rail, appears technologically unrealistic in the next few decades. This is because the energy density of modern batteries, which does not increase more than a few percent per year, is about 50 times lower than that of kerosene. Therefore, without a viable alternative to combustion-based propulsion for long-haul flights, it is crucial to continue the research effort for decreasing pollutant emissions and enabling clean combustion of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.