applsci-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Recent Developments in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Turbulence Modeling

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Fluid Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 1376

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece
Interests: turbuelence modeling; computational fluid dynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and turbulence modeling have become invaluable tools in further enhancing our understanding and predictions of complex fluid flow phenomena across a wide range of scientific and engineering fields. Their application can be found in areas spanning aerospace and automotive engineering to environmental studies and biomedical flows. The ability to accurately simulate and analyze turbulent flows in the abovementioned fields has revolutionized design, optimization, and decision-making processes. This Special Issue highlights recent advancements in CFD methodologies and turbulence modeling techniques, showcasing cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges of accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in simulating turbulent flows.

The rapid evolution of high-performance computing (HPC), machine learning (ML), and advanced numerical algorithms has expanded the frontiers of CFD even further. Researchers are now able to tackle previously intractable problems, such as high-Reynolds-number flows, multiphase interactions, and reactive flows, with higher precision than ever. Additionally, the integration of data-driven approaches with traditional turbulence models is creating new hybrid methodologies that combine the strengths of physics-based and data-centric methods.

This Special Issue brings together contributions from leading experts, covering topics such as large-eddy simulation (LES), Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeling, direct numerical simulation (DNS), and emerging machine learning-based turbulence models. By exploring both theoretical innovations and practical applications, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in CFD and turbulence modeling, while inspiring future research directions in this dynamic field.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Development and validation of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models.
  2. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers.
  3. Hybrid turbulence modeling approaches combining RANS, LES, and DNS.
  4. Machine learning and artificial intelligence applications in turbulence modeling.
  5. Multiphase and reactive turbulent flow simulations.
  6. Applications of CFD in aerospace, automotive, energy, and environmental systems.
  7. Data-driven turbulence modeling and reduced-order modeling techniques.
  8. Wall-modeled LES and near-wall turbulence modeling challenges.
  9. Non-Newtonian and compressible turbulent flow simulations.
  10. Emerging trends in turbulence modeling for climate and geophysical flows.

Dr. Georgios Sofiadis
Prof. Dr. Ioannis Sarris
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 (CFD)
  • turbulence modeling
  • turbulence models
  • data-driven turbulence modeling
  • high-performance computing (HPC)
  • RANS
  • LES
  • DNS

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 3621 KB  
Article
CFD Analysis of Natural Convection Performance of a MMRTG Model Under Martian Atmospheric Conditions
by Rafael Bardera-Mora, Ángel Rodríguez-Sevillano, Juan Carlos Matías-García, Estela Barroso-Barderas and Jaime Fernández-Antón
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11825; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111825 - 6 Nov 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Understanding the thermal behaviour of radioisotope generators under Martian conditions is essential for the safe and efficient operation of planetary exploration rovers. This study investigates the heat transfer and flow mechanisms around a simplified full-scale model of the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) [...] Read more.
Understanding the thermal behaviour of radioisotope generators under Martian conditions is essential for the safe and efficient operation of planetary exploration rovers. This study investigates the heat transfer and flow mechanisms around a simplified full-scale model of the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations performed with ANSYS Fluent 2023 R1. The model consists of a central cylindrical core and eight radial fins, operating under pure CO2 at a pressure of approximately 600 Pa, representative of the Martian atmosphere. Four cases were simulated, varying both the reactor surface temperature (373–453 K) and the ambient temperature (248 to 173 K) to reproduce typical diurnal and seasonal scenarios on Mars. The results show the formation of a buoyancy-driven plume rising above the generator, with peak velocities between 1 and 3.5 m/s depending on the thermal load. Temperature fields reveal that the fins generate multiple localized hot spots that merge into a single vertical plume at higher elevations. The calculated dimensionless numbers (Grashof ≈ 105, Rayleigh ≈ 105, Reynolds ≈ 102, Prandtl ≈ 0.7, Nusselt ≈ 4) satisfy the expected range for natural convection in low-density CO2 atmospheres, confirming the laminar regime. These results contribute to a better understanding of heat dissipation processes in Martian environments and may guide future design improvements of thermoelectric generators and passive thermal management systems for space missions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 11614 KB  
Article
Layer Thickness Impact on Shock-Accelerated Interfacial Instabilities in Single-Mode Stratifications
by Salman Saud Alsaeed, Satyvir Singh and Nouf A. Alrubea
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10687; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910687 - 3 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 459
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of heavy-layer thickness on shock-accelerated interfacial instabilities in single-mode stratifications using high-order discontinuous Galerkin simulations at a fixed shock Mach number (Ms=1.22). By systematically varying the layer thickness, we quantify how acoustic transit [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of heavy-layer thickness on shock-accelerated interfacial instabilities in single-mode stratifications using high-order discontinuous Galerkin simulations at a fixed shock Mach number (Ms=1.22). By systematically varying the layer thickness, we quantify how acoustic transit time, shock attenuation, and phase synchronization modulate vorticity deposition, circulation growth, and interface deformation. The results show that thin layers (d=2.5–5 mm) generate strong and early baroclinic vorticity due to frequent reverberations, leading to rapid circulation growth, vigorous Kelvin–Helmholtz roll-up, and early jet pairing. In contrast, thick layers (d=20–40 mm) attenuate and dephase shock returns, producing weaker baroclinic reinforcement, delayed shear-layer growth, and smoother interfaces with reduced small-scale activity, while the intermediate case (d=10 mm) exhibits transitional behavior. Integral diagnostics reveal that thin layers amplify dilatational, baroclinic, and viscous vorticity production; sustain stronger circulation and enstrophy growth; and transfer bulk kinetic energy more efficiently into interface deformation and small-scale mixing. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop