Contact Dr David John Rajendran

Areas of expertise

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computing, Simulation & Modelling
  • Design, Strategy & Innovation
  • Gas Turbines & Propulsion

Background

David John is a Lecturer within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Aero Systems Design, Integration and Performance at Cranfield University. He specialises in aero systems design for future propulsion architectures. David graduated with distinction in his bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology, India. After his graduation, he worked at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment in the design and development of turbines for various applications. Thereafter, he enrolled in the Gas Turbine Technology Master's degree at Cranfield University. In his Master's programme, his research looked into the turbine aerodynamic behaviour in overspeed conditions. Subsequently, he did his doctoral research within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre at Cranfield University where he explored the design space of using Variable Pitch Fans for reverse thrust in future efficient, environment friendly, civil gas turbines.

David has received several prestigious awards in both the academia and the industry like the stipendiary fellowship of the Aeronautics Research and Development Board, Government of India 2009, Rear Admiral A K Hando Trophy 2010, Government of India Young Scientist Award 2014, Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) NE Rowe Award 2016 and Cranfield Branch Annual Lecture Award 2016, Roy Fedden Memorial Prize 2017, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Turbo Expo Best Paper Awards 2019 and 2020, Lord Kings Norton Medal 2020, and the ASME John P Davis Award 2020 and 2021. He has a total of 22 high impact journal and conference publications along with a editorial role for a special issue of Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies. He has jointly filed 10 patent applications to date. He is a Member of the RAeS, ASME and the Aeronautical Society of India. He has been member of several peer review and preliminary design review committees, concept study and funding bid development teams, and has contributed in the organization of several high profile conferences and working committees. He is a peer-reviewer for several International gas turbine conferences, Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies and the ASME Turbo Expo.

Research opportunities

David's research expertise is in integrated system design space exploration with different levels of modelling fidelity. Interdisciplinary design and research challenges with a focus on fluid dynamic design optimization across aerospace, energy and other industries are welcome for Masters and doctoral projects. Design exploration studies to optimize fluid processes with a focus on NetZero and future sustainable aviation are particularly welcome.

Current activities

David's research interests include development of robust high fidelity methods for numerical flow solutions in complete integrated systems and system level interdependency explorations to develop optimum aerodynamic designs for future propulsion architectures. He plays an active role in InnovateUK project PINES led by Rolls-Royce plc. and in several other industrially funded doctoral programmes and projects. David's research expertise in flow modelling is used in several other EU and industry funded projects within the Centre. He is also involved in integrated modelling of experimental facilities, exploration of unconventional flows, design code development for quick concept studies, exploratory flow modelling with hydrogen and supercritical fluids, and multi-disciplinary optimization.

Clients

Rolls-Royce plc.

InnovateUK

Siemens Industry Software Limited.

Publications

Articles In Journals