Published: Nov. 2, 2016

Christine HrenyaThe U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $3 million in additional research funding to Professors Christine Hrenya (Chemical and Biological Engineering) and Professor Thomas Hauser (Research Computing) to advance simulation technologies that are being used to develop next-generation energy systems.
 
The researchers will work to improve the speed, capability and accuracy of a tool called MFiX-DEM, an open-source code used to create computer models that simulate multiphase fluid dynamics.
 
MFiX-DEM and other tools can reduce the time and cost of commercializing new energy technologies, but the time required for simulations and uncertainties in the predictions hinders industry from using such tools effectively.
 
Building on earlier research and a $686,000 DOE grant earlier this year, Hrenya and co-PI Hauser will use the funding to develop and conduct a second phase of high-performance computer simulations relevant to industry.