Professor Panagiotis Tsoutsanis

Areas of expertise

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Computing, Simulation & Modelling
• Vehicle Aerodynamics

Background

I am Takis Tsoutsanis, Professor and Chair of Computational Fluid Dynamics at Cranfield University, where I specialise in advanced numerical methods, turbulence modelling, and high-performance computing for complex fluid systems. My academic path began with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Liverpool, followed by a PhD in CFD at Cranfield University, where I developed high-order methods for unstructured grids. I later completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and professional executive training through MIT xPro, reflecting my commitment to continuous development and excellence in teaching and research

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My work spans compressible flows, multiphysics, aerodynamics, and shock-dominated environments, with a focus on designing robust, high-order algorithms that scale efficiently on modern heterogeneous HPC architectures. Before entering academia, I worked as an airframe and development engineer at Aegean Airlines, where I gained hands-on experience with airworthiness, regulatory compliance, and engineering diagnostics—experience that continues to influence the practical relevance of my research.

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I lead Cranfield’s Computational Fluid Dynamics Group and I am the founder and lead developer of UCNS3D (www.ucns3d.com), a world-leading open-source high-order CFD platform. I remain deeply committed to advancing CFD through rigorous research, open scientific collaboration, and the mentoring of the next generation of engineers and researchers.

Research opportunities

My research focuses on advancing the numerical foundations of Computational Fluid Dynamics, with particular emphasis on high-order methods, turbulence modelling, and high-performance computing for complex, multiscale flow environments. A central objective of my work is to design algorithms that deliver both physical accuracy and computational efficiency, enabling reliable simulations in regimes dominated by shocks, compressibility, multiphysics coupling, and geometrical complexity. This includes extensive work on unstructured-mesh technologies, shock-capturing schemes, adaptive dissipation/dispersion control, and scalable solvers optimised for modern heterogeneous HPC platforms such as GPUs and emerging many-core architectures.

A major part of my research is dedicated to developing implicit LES (iLES) and adaptive numerical methods capable of robustly modelling wall-bounded, transitional, and multiphase turbulence without relying on classical sub-grid closures. I am particularly interested in the high-speed and hypersonic regime, where strong shocks, non-equilibrium effects, and coupled thermal-chemical processes pose unique challenges for numerical fidelity and stability. My work aims to build tools that can accurately capture these extreme flow features while maintaining performance on large-scale computing systems.

As the founder and lead architect of UCNS3D, I use this platform as both a research testbed and a contribution to the open CFD community. My overarching aim is to develop robust, scalable, and physically sound simulation technologies that expand what CFD can predict and support future aerospace, defence, and energy applications.

Current activities

State-of-the-art numerical methods for Computational Fluid Dynamics in the following areas:

Turbulence modelling in conjunction with high-order schemes

Large-scale production RANS for aerospace applications

Implicit Large Eddy Simulation for hybrid-unstructured meshes

Parallel scientific computing with numerical-methods driven partitioning techniques

Techniques for moving overset meshes tailored complicated geometries

Adaptive mesh refinement strategies for efficient simulation techniques.

Multiphysics modelling using the diffuse interface model

These activities are realised in a novel computational framework UCNS3D (www.ucns3d.com), which i lead, and is the a collaborative effort from prominent professionals in academia and industry from more than 7 countries.

Clients

• MBDA UK Ltd
• Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
• Red Bull Racing Ltd
• Leonardo S.p.A. (Agusta Westland)
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• Airbus SE
• BAE Systems PLC
• Innovate UK
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• European Commission
• Atomic Weapons Establishment

Publications

• Articles in journals
• Conference papers
• Books