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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 4733

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paulo A. S. F. Silva

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Guest Editor

Centre for Computational Engineering Sciences, Cranfield, UK
Interests: computational fluid dynamics; rotor flows; thermal management; multiphase flow

Dr. Panagiotis Tsoutsanis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centre for Computational Engineering Sciences, Cranfield, UK
Interests: computational fluid dynamics; computing, simulation & modelling; vehicle aerodynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, entitled “Computational Fluid Dynamics in Mechanical Engineering”, in the Applied Sciences journal. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a cornerstone methodology in modern mechanical engineering, transforming how researchers and practitioners address complex fluid flow challenges. Recent developments in computational power, numerical algorithms, and multiphysics integration have significantly expanded the capabilities and applications of CFD. Despite these substantial advancements, critical challenges remain in relation to accurately modeling turbulent flows, capturing multiscale phenomena, and efficiently coupling fluid dynamics with heat transfer, structural mechanics, and other physical processes. The relevance of addressing these challenges is magnified by increasing demands for energy-efficient designs, sustainable engineering solutions, and optimized industrial processes across various sectors.

This Special Issue aims to highlight state-of-the-art research in computational fluid dynamics and its applications within mechanical engineering disciplines. We welcome contributions that present innovative methods, novel algorithms, and practical applications that advance the field of CFD. The scope of this Special Issue covers both fundamental theoretical developments and applied research, including aerospace systems, automotive engineering, energy conversion, HVAC systems, manufacturing processes, and biomedical applications. This Special Issue aligns with Applied Sciences’ scope by connecting theoretical advancements with practical applications, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of modern engineering research, as well as showcasing technological innovations that address contemporary challenges in mechanical engineering.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Advanced turbulence modeling and simulation techniques.
Multiphase and multicomponent flow simulations.
Fluid–structure interaction in engineering applications.
High-performance computing and GPU acceleration for CFD.
Machine learning and AI integration with computational fluid dynamics.
Thermal management and heat transfer optimization using CFD.
Novel numerical methods and algorithm development for fluid simulation.
Validation and verification methodologies for CFD models.
Industrial applications of CFD in energy systems, aerospace, and manufacturing.
Environmental and sustainable engineering applications of CFD.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Paulo A. S. F. Silva
Dr. Panagiotis Tsoutsanis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

computational fluid dynamics
turbulence modeling
fluid–structure interaction
heat transfer
numerical methods
high-performance computing
multiphase flow
mechanical engineering
simulation
aerodynamics

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 5732 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Study of the Regulatory Effects of Laser Heating on Thermocapillary-Buoyancy Convection in Two-Layer Fluid System

by Shuwen Yang, Xiaoming Zhou, Yuhang Zheng and Wenhao Duan

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3186; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073186 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 214

Abstract

The present study examines the regulatory effects of laser heating parameters (power, position, and spot radius) on hydrothermal wave instability, heat and mass transfer, and interfacial deformation in bilayer thermocapillary systems under normal gravity. It provides theoretical support for the efficient utilization of energy and the optimization of industrial thermal systems, meeting the demands of sustainable development. The results show that increasing laser power induces asymmetric flow bifurcation nears the laser heating point, enhancing hydrothermal waves in the left region while suppressing them in the right region, with oscillation periods decreasing monotonically and amplitudes showing non-monotonic variation. Laser heating position alters convection intensity distribution, in which the convection in the hot zone is weakened as the laser point nears the cold end, while the convection in the cold zone is strengthened as the laser point nears the hot end. Reducing spot radius significantly decreases temperature gradients near the interfacial heat source, while attenuating horizontal velocity amplitude and increasing oscillation period, effectively suppressing oscillatory thermocapillary convection. This study demonstrates that precise control of laser heating parameters can effectively suppress thermocapillary instability and optimize heat transfer without introducing additional mechanical disturbances. It provides a theoretical basis for efficient, low-energy, non-contact thermal flow control technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Dynamics in Mechanical Engineering)

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20 pages, 5102 KB

Open AccessArticle

Outflow Boundary Conditions for Turbine-Integrated Rotating Detonation Combustors

by Tsung-Ming Hsieh, K. Mark Bryden, Richard P. Dalton, John Crane and Tom I-P. Shih

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 11922; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152211922 - 10 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1113

Abstract

This study examines outflow boundary conditions (BCs) in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a transition duct with and without guide vanes that converts supersonic flow exiting a rotating detonation combustor (RDC) to subsonic flow to drive a turbine. Since the flow exiting the transition duct has swirling shock waves with significant spatial and temporal variations in pressure, temperature, and Mach number, imposing proper BCs poses a challenge. To ensure all swirling shock waves exit the transition duct without creating non-physical reflected waves at its outlet, this study examined three outflow BCs: (1) the average pressure imposed at the duct’s outlet, (2) a nonreflecting BC (NRBC) with a specified average pressure imposed at the duct’s outlet, (3) the average pressure imposed at the outlet of an extension duct made up of a buffer layer and a sponge layer. This study is based on the three-dimensional, unsteady density-weighted-ensemble-averaged continuity, Navier–Stokes, and energy equations for a thermally perfect gas closed by the realizable k–ε model and “enhanced” wall functions. The results obtained show that imposing an average pressure at the transition duct’s outlet produces spurious waves that degrade the physical meaningfulness of the solution. When the NRBC was applied, swirling shock waves exited the duct’s outlet without creating spurious waves. However, its usage requires the gas to be thermally, as well as calorically, perfect, which this study shows could be a concern. By imposing the average pressure at the outlet of an extension duct, the gas does not need to be calorically perfect. The results obtained show the effects of the sponge layer’s length and coarsening ratio on damping nonuniformities in non-physical reflected waves to ensure the flow exiting the transition duct’s outlet can do so as if there are no boundaries present and has the desired average pressure—even though the BC is applied at the extension duct’s outlet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Dynamics in Mechanical Engineering)

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19 pages, 10875 KB

Open AccessArticle

CFD Analysis of Transition Models for Low-Reynolds Number Aerodynamics

by Enrico Giacomini and Lars-Göran Westerberg

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10299; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810299 - 22 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2663

Abstract

Low Reynolds number flows are central to the performance of airfoils used in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), micro air vehicles (MAVs), and aerodynamic platforms operating in rarefied atmospheres. Consequently, a deep understanding of airfoil behavior and accurate prediction of aerodynamic performance are essential for the optimal design of such systems. The present study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze the aerodynamic performance of a cambered plate at a Reynolds number of 10,000. Two Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models,

γ

–

R e_{θ}

and

k - k_{L} - ω

, are utilized, along with the Unsteady Navier–Stokes (UNS) equations. The simulation results are compared against experimental data, with a focus on lift, drag, and pressure coefficients. The models studied perform moderately well at small angles of attack. The

γ

–

R e_{θ}

model yields the lowest lift and drag errors (below 0.17 and 0.04, respectively), while the other models show significantly higher discrepancies, particularly in lift prediction. The

γ

–

R e_{θ}

model demonstrates good overall accuracy, with notable deviation only in the prediction of the stall angle. In contrast, the

k - k_{L} - ω

model and the UNS equations capture the general flow trend up to stall but fail to provide reliable predictions beyond that point. These findings indicate that the

γ

–

R e_{θ}

model is the most suitable among those tested for low Reynolds number transitional flow simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Dynamics in Mechanical Engineering)

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