报告摘要：
Swirling, whirling, rotating flow has proved fascinating and challenging throughout the ages. Whether it be the vortex formed as water exits the bath-tub or the swirling motion seen in a corn field as the wind blows across it, the subject provides a talking point and a level of complexity that often defies simple explanation. Rotating flow is critically important across a wide range of scientific, engineering and product design applications, providing the means of modelling, and as a result design capability for products such as jet engines, pumps and vacuum cleaners. The observed flow phenomena often do not match our expectations and intuition and it is through the insight revealed by detailed observation and modelling that significant satisfaction in the study of rotating flow can result.
This session will introduce examples of rotating flow in technology, science and nature. The fundamental methods of modelling such flows will be explored in conjunction with simplified techniques that enable approximate solutions to practical applications. Specific subjects covered include:
• an introduction to rotating flow;
• fundamental equations, the Rossby and Ekman numbers;
• vorticity and vortices;
• rotating disc flow;
• flow around rotating cylinders and in rotating annuli, Taylor vortex flow;
• flow in rotating cavities;
• an introduction to atmospheric and oceanic circulations.

报告人简历:
Peter Childs is the Professorial Lead in Engineering Design at Imperial College London, having taken up this chair in 2008 and leads the Design Engineering group. His general interests include: creativity; the application of creative tools; mechanical and product design; desalinationl; sustainable energy component, concept and system design. He was formerly the director of InQbate, the HEFCE funded Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Creativity, director of the Rolls-Royce supported University Technology Centre for Aero-Thermal Systems and a professor at the University of Sussex. His role at Imperial involves being the joint course director for the Innovation Design Engineering degree at the Royal College of Art and Imperial and working with Design London.