Contact Dr Dimitris Vitlaris

Areas of expertise

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computing, Simulation & Modelling
  • Flight Physics
  • Gas Turbines & Propulsion

Background

Dimitrios is a Research Fellow within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) at Cranfield University and part of the Aero Systems Design, Integration and Performance Group. In this role, Dimitrios is responsible for both technical and programme delivery of the design, development and analysis of a regenerative pump operating with liquid hydrogen. Suitable methodologies including multiphysics phenomena have been developed to build robust methods at multi-fidelity levels.

Dimitrios completed his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and graduated with distinction from the University of Western Macedonia, Greece. He was awarded a dual-degree scholarship, which he utilised to enrol in the Computational Fluid Dynamics Master's course at Cranfield University. During his MSc studies, he gained valuable knowledge in developing and applying state-of-the-art CFD methods to various industrial applications. After his studies, he was part of the 'funding' Landing Gear Shock Absorber (LGSA) team as a Research Assistant at Cranfield University. The team developed a multi-fidelity multi-physics numerical framework and software tools for LGSAs using commercial and open-source CFD solvers, with particular attention paid to automating an optimisation design loop. Dimitrios was recently awarded his PhD, where his research focused on aerodynamic investigations of a high bypass ratio turbofan engine using a Variable Pitch Fan (VPF) in reverse thrust conditions. During his doctoral research, he received the prestigious 2023 ASME Turbo Expo Aircraft Engine Committee Best Paper award and the Cranfield UTC 2023 Best Technical Presentation award.

Current activities

Dimitrios' research focuses on the development and implementation of computational tools for effective engineering design, analysis and optimisation. He develops suitable, robust methodologies that include capturing multiphysics interactions with single- and multi-phase flows, with or without moving components, to optimize the performance and efficiency of aerodynamic designs for next-generation propulsion systems. He is also involved in several industry-funded projects where he brings his expertise in flow modelling and design optimisation techniques.

Publications

Articles In Journals