LIFD Early Career Researcher spotlight: Abhimanyu Gaur
Thesis Title
Hydrodynamics of solid irregular-shaped particles settling in the quiescent fluid
School/Faculty
School of Computer Science
Supervisors
David Hodgson, Michael Fairweather Jeff Peakall, Gareth Keevil
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a final-year PhD student at the EPSRC CDT in Fluid Dynamics. My background is in mechanical engineering, followed by a master in advanced mathematics and numerical methods. Outside of research, I’m very active in sports and play cricket here in Yorkshire. I also enjoy hiking and travelling to natural places, being outdoors helps me feel grounded and keeps my mind clear, which I find really valuable for staying focused in my work.
What is your research about?
I'm investigating how particles of different shapes settle in water. I use Nek5000, an open-access DNS code based on the spectral element method and incorporating an immersed boundary method. This combination allows robust particle-resolved sedimentation studies with high accuracy, although the computational cost is significant.
My main interests lie in hydrodynamic settling, including real-time drag estimation, three-dimensional particle rotation, and the formation of vortex structures in the wake of settling particles.
What do you wish you had known before starting a PhD?
A PhD requires a wide range of skills, patience, consistency, and sustained hard work. Over time, I developed a more focused and resilient approach, which I did not fully appreciate at the beginning. I also learned that research challenges often involve exploring multiple perspectives, applying different analytical methods, and managing resources effectively. Knowing this earlier would have helped me prepare better for the journey.
What are your plans for the future?
Over the last few years, I have developed a strong interest in research and enjoyed solving complex problems. I am keen to continue working on research-related projects. A career in academia or industry involving interdisciplinary research seems the most promising path for me.