Eugene Kankam

Background

About Eugene Kankam

I am a graduate student specializing in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with a strong research focus drag reduction through passive flow control techniques. My prior work has focused on the application of superhydrophobic surfaces to delay boundary layer separation and reduce viscous drag. These surfaces were modeled using Navier-slip boundary conditions, offering an efficient, low-energy alternative to active flow control methods. Building on this foundation, my current research investigates shark skin-inspired riblet geometries applied to wind turbine blade sections. Using Large Eddy Simulation (LES), I aim to analyze the influence of riblets on turbulent boundary layers and wake dynamics. The study integrates advanced diagnostics, including instantaneous flow visualization, Q-criterion analysis, Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) power spectral density, and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), to extract meaningful physical insights. My work is highly applicable to a range of industries where aerodynamic efficiency is critical including offshore wind energy, aerospace, and automotive engineering. I am particularly passionate about using CFD and biomimicry to solve complex engineering problems in sustainable and innovative ways.