Integrated Computational and Experimental Methods

RIG Workshop

  • Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
  • Location: Conference Room 3400, Town Center Four, Third Floor, 994 Research Park Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911.
  • Speaker: Dr. Jinjin Zhang.
  • Title: Flow Map Learning and Scalable Solvers for Computational Fluid Dynamics.

  • Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of incompressible flows often require solving large-scale algebraic systems arising from the discretization of the governing equations. In this talk, we present computational approaches that combine advanced numerical solvers with data-driven modeling techniques to improve the efficiency of large-scale fluid simulations.

    First, we introduce a flow map learning framework for predicting the dynamics of incompressible Navier–Stokes flows and constructing data-driven surrogates for digital twin applications. Neural-network-based models approximate the evolution operator of the dynamical system and enable efficient prediction of quantities of interest such as drag and lift. We then discuss scalable domain decomposition methods that provide robust solvers for the large-scale linear systems generated by CFD simulations.

  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This meeting is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program. 
  • Food: Light refreshments will be provided from 1:30 PM to 4 PM.

 

  • Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
  • Location: Conference Room 3400, Town Center Four, Third Floor, 994 Research Park Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911.
  • Title: A journal club with a group of students presenting their insights on ROSE: RADICAL Orchestrator for Surrogate Exploration.
  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This meeting is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program. 
  • Food: Light refreshments will be provided from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

 

  • Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026.
  • Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
  • Location: Conference Room 3400, Town Center Four, Third Floor, 994 Research Park Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911.
  • Title: A Forum on Multiscale Modeling and Advanced Computing, Conversing with Dr. Murali Gopalakrishnan Meena, Dr. Daniel Claudino, and Dr. Yu Zhang. 
  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This meeting is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program. 
  • Food: Light refreshments will be provided from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

 

  • Date: Monday, March 30, 2026.
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
  • Location: Conference Room 3400, Town Center Four, Third Floor, 994 Research Park Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911.
  • Title: The RIG Summit - Let’s come together for an open discussion to celebrate the successful completion of our RIG event. 
  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This meeting is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program. 

  • Food: Light refreshments will be provided from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

     

Past Events:

Invited Talk

  • Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
  • Location: Conference Room 3400, Town Center Four, Third Floor, 994 Research Park Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911.
  • Speaker: Dr. Aldo Gargiulo.
  • Title: Advancing Modeling and Diagnostics of Complex Flow Systems in Aero-Mechanical Applications.

  • Abstract: Improving the efficiency, performance, sustainability, and safety of aero-mechanical devices and propulsion systems relies on continued advances in our ability to predict and measure complex fluid flows. Despite extensive research, turbulent and reacting flows—characterized by strong nonlinearity, multi-scale dynamics, and non-equilibrium effects—remain incompletely understood. This persistent gap highlights the need for practical and reliable simulation and diagnostic tools capable of capturing the physics most relevant to engineering applications.

    High-fidelity numerical approaches such as direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES) can provide detailed insight into flow behavior, but their computational cost limits routine industrial use. As a result, the more efficient Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models remain central to engineering practice, despite well-documented limitations in flows involving separation, strong pressure gradients, curvature, surface roughness, and unsteadiness. As predictive simulations play an increasingly important role in high-consequence design and certification, there is growing motivation to improve modeling approaches by combining physical understanding with emerging data-driven and artificial-intelligence-assisted methods. These developments, which underpin emerging digital-twin concepts, depend critically on high-quality experimental data—not only for model development and validation, but also to provide direct physical insight into complex flow phenomena.

    In this presentation, Dr. Aldo Gargiulo will discuss selected research contributions and outline future directions aligned with next-generation simulation and diagnostic development. His undergraduate and graduate work at ETH Zurich focused on CFD solver development and data-driven turbulence modeling. His doctoral research at Virginia Tech addressed incompressible, non-equilibrium turbulent boundary layers, leveraging comprehensive stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements to examine fundamental assumptions in turbulence modeling. His most recent work at the University of Virginia, under Dr. Chloe Dedic, centered on diagnostics and modeling of reactive flows, including liquid-fueled detonations and non-premixed flame extinction using advanced non-intrusive laser diagnostics such as Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS).

  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This meeting is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program, with logistical support from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
  • Food: Refreshments and coffee will be provided from 1:30 PM to 4 PM.
  • RSVP: Please register using the link. The registration will help us understand the audience’s background and ensure accurate catering arrangements. The RSVP deadline is 11:45 PM on February 3. 

 

RIG Mini-Symposium 

  • Goal: To bring in aspiring early-career researchers outside UVA to communicate and share with our in-house experts on their approaches and perspectives in solving complex engineering problems.
  • Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025.
  • Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
  • Location: Town Center 2, 1st Floor Workspaces 3.0 Conference Room, 1001 Research Park Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22911. (Use the building entrance on the parking lot side (East side) of the building.
  • Organizing Committee:
    • Chair: Xinfeng Gao (MAE).
    • Members: Chloe Dedic (MAE), Patrick E. Hopkins (MAE, MSE, Physics), Allan I. Harrison (Chemistry), Elizabeth Opila (MSE), and Chris Paolucci (Chemical Engineering).
  • Acknowledgment: This symposium is supported by the UVA Engineering Research Interest Group (RIG) program, with logistical support from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
  • Food: Lunch, refreshments, and coffee will be provided.
  • RSVP: Please register using the link. The registration will help us understand the audience’s background and ensure accurate catering arrangements. The RSVP deadline is 5:00 PM on November 18. 

Agenda

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM      Toward Predictive Simulation of Non-Newtonian Spray Atomization, by Dr. Joseph Giliberto.

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM    Break

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM    High-Fidelity Simulations of Complex Flow Regimes, by Dr. Filipe Brandao.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM    Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM      Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM        Gauge Theory and Algorithms for Modeling Incompressible Fluids on Continuous-Variable Quantum Computers, by Dr. Akin Morrison.

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM        Break

2:15 PM – 4:30 PM        Discussion