LIFD Early Career Researcher Spotlight: Luke Driver

Thesis title: CFD Based Multifidelity Optimisation Framework for Low Temeprature Kinetics

School/ Faculty: School of Computer Science/CDT Fluid Dynamics

Supervisors: Greg de Boer (Leeds), Nik Kapur (Leeds), Dwayne Heard (Leeds), Julia Lehman (Birmingham)

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’m in the final year of my PhD in the Fluids CDT at Leeds. Before coming to Leeds to do Fluid Dynamics, I did my undergraduate MEng in Chemical Engineering at University of Hull, where my final project was developing a chemical plant for Biodiesel production. I did a CFD module in my final MEng year and have fell in love with it since, hence my move to Leeds to do a PhD in CFD. When I’m not working, I enjoy going to the gym, running, climbing and going to gigs.

What is your research about?

My research is all about improving chemical kinetic sensing at very low temperatures (20 – 200K) using computational methods. Such low temperatures are seen the interstellar medium (space), and understanding the kinetics of chemical species in this media can help us determine the formation pathways of complex organic molecules. Low temperature kinetics can be explored in the lab using the CRESU apparatus, which uses a Laval nozzle to generate a cold uniform supersonic jet, which when coupled with laser systems can be used to explore kinetics at low temperatures.  The design of the Laval nozzle is extremely important as it determines the accuracy of the kinetic measurements and what reactions can be performed. My research focuses on improving existing design methods by automating CFD and using modern metamodeling approaches to optimise the Laval nozzle shape and operating conditions to improve low temperature kinetics in the lab.

What did you wish you knew before starting a PhD?

I wish I knew that a PhD was a marathon not a sprint, during a PhD it is very easy to get engrossed in research, spending all your time working which leads to burnout. Trying to compartmentalise work (very hard!) and hobbies is really so important to maintain a work-life balance. It is also a good idea to remember to not compare your progress to others as every piece of work is different!

What are your plans for the future

My expected submission is in September this year, so I hope to be finished by then! Once I’ve finished, I will look to go into a R&D role in industry (maybe doing Chemical Engineering again) , or a post-doc if any opportunities come around!