Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the UK Hypersonics Network, University of Oxford and Imperial College
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
SIGs focus the Network’s effort on priority topics. They are community‑led and deliver practical outputs such as workshops, white papers and collaborative activities. They are intended to coordinate activity across institutions and contribute to the development of technical outputs such as benchmark studies, modelling approaches and experimental planning.
Two Special Interest Groups (SIGs) have been identified via consensus of Network participants to develop core research questions to undertake pre-flight ground based research:
SIG Lead: Adriano Cerminara, Sheffield Hallam University.
Domain expertise: Hypersonic transition, boundary-layer receptivity and stability, hypersonic aerothermodynamics, transpiration cooling, DNS.
SIG Co-Lead: Kshitij Sabnis, Queen Mary University of London.
Domain expertise: Experimental high-speed aerodynamics, optical diagnostics, shock/boundary-layer interactions, flow control.
The UK Hypersonic Transition Special Interest Group (SIG) brings together researchers across the UK to advance understanding, prediction, and control of transition to turbulence in hypersonic flows. Hypersonic transition critically affects vehicle aerothermal performance and stability, compromising its structural integrity. However, accurate transition prediction and control remain challenging research areas.
The SIG provides a platform for collaboration between theoretical, numerical, and experimental experts from UK academia and industry. Activities include workshops, periodic technical meetings, data sharing, and coordinated studies, all aimed at consolidating UK expertise and driving innovation in hypersonic technology.
The activities of the UK Transition SIG will culminate in the definition of a dedicated hypersonic transition flight experiment, including flow conditions, configuration and diagnostics, to provide valuable information on transition prediction and control. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and training opportunities, the UK Hypersonic Transition SIG will position the UK scientific community among the world leaders in this critical area of hypersonics research.
SIG Lead: Tobias Hermann, University of Oxford.
Domain expertise: Aerothermodynamics.
SIG Co-Lead: Jon Binner, University of Birmingham.
Domain expertise: Materials.
The Fluid–Thermal–Structure Interaction SIG coordinates UK efforts to validate multiphysics prediction for hypersonic flight. We focus on how high-temperature flow, chemical surface reactions, material degradation and structural deformation interact to modify vehicle geometry and performance. Through shared benchmark problems, cross-code comparisons and development of a flight-validation concept, the SIG establishes the validation backbone required for future UK hypersonic flight experiments.
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If you have any questions about the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) please get in contact with the UK Hypersonics Network Executive Board: hypersonics-network-uk@eng.ox.ac.uk
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