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
- Vitlaris D, Rajendran DJ, Tunstall R, Whurr J & Pachidis V. (2025). On hysteresis in a variable pitch fan transitioning to reverse thrust mode and back. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 147(7)
- Vitlaris D, Rajendran DJ, Tunstall R, Whurr J & Pachidis V. (2023). On the flow physics during the transition of a variable pitch fan from nominal operation to reverse thrust mode. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 146(4)
- Sheikh Al-Shabab AA, Grenko B, Vitlaris D, Tsoutsanis P, Antoniadis AF, .... (2022). Numerical investigation of orifice nearfield flow development in oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers. Fluids, 7(2)
Conference Papers
- Vitlaris D, Rajendran DJ, Tunstall R, Whurr J & Pachidis V. (2024). On hysteresis in a variable pitch fan transitioning to reverse thrust mode and back
- Vitlaris D, Rajendran DJ, Pachidis V, Tunstall R & Whurr J. (2023). On the Flow Physics During the Transition of a Variable Pitch Fan From Nominal Operation to Reverse Thrust Mode
- Sheikh Al Shabab A, Grenko B, Vitlaris D, Tsoutsanis P, Antoniadis A, .... (2022). Numerical investigation of oleo-pneumatic shock absorber: a multi-fidelity approach
- Sheikh Al-Shabab AA, Vitlaris D, Lin Z, Grenko B, Tsoutsanis P, .... (2021). Numerical investigation of oleo-pneumatic shock absorber: setup and validation
- Lin Z, Al-Shabab AA, Vitlaris D, Tsoutsanis P, Antoniadis A, .... (2021). Withdrawn: Effects of Heat-Conductive Obstacles on Conjugate Heat Transfer of Backward-Facing Step Flow