Key details
Dr Andrew Kao
Associate Professor in Applied Mathematics
Andrew was awarded a BSc in Physics from Imperial College London in 2005, followed by an MSc in Computational Science and Engineering at the University of Greenwich and progressing onto the PhD programme. His PhD titled 'Thermoelectric Magnetohydrodynamics in Dendritic Solidification' was completed in 2010. He is now an active researcher as part of the Computational Science and Engineering Group.
His research focuses on numerical modelling of the effects of magnetic fields and fluid flow on the evolution of alloy microstructures. He leads the development of the ThermoElectric Solidification Algorithm (TESA), a parallelised code that solves the coupled problem of microstructure solidification, electromagnetism and fluid flow. TESA has been used in a wide range of applications including defect formation in turbine blade casting, additive manufacturing processes and highly undercooled growth.
Qualifications
BSc(Hons) Physics,
MSc Computational Science and Engineering,
PhD
ARCS: Associate of the Royal College of Science
Awards
GRE Outstanding Achievement Award 2020
Early Career Excellence Award 2013
Recognition
Review for:
Acta Materialia, J. Alloys and Compounds, Applied Mathematical Modelling, J. Crystal Growth, Europhysics Letters, European Journal of Mechanics, J. Heat and Mass Transfer, JOM, Materials, Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Nano Energy, J. Optics & Light Technology, Philosophical Magazine Letters, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, Physics of Fluids, Royal Society Open Science.
Research / Scholarly interests
Andrew’s research interests include:
Thermoelectricity
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Magnetohydrodynamics
Dendritic Growth
High Performance Computing
Key funded projects
Royal Society China Exchange Grant, 2012-2014 (named researcher)
Research exchange with the North Eastern University of China to study the effects of magnetic fields on alloy crystal growth.
Keywords: materials science, EM interaction, crystal growth dynamics
EPSRC "TECalloy", 2013-2016 (named researcher)
Extension of theoretical framework developed at Greenwich, to study the effects of magnetic fields in producing tailor-made alloy crystal structures by controlling solute micro-convection using the thermoelectric properties of the alloy. Research in collaboration with the Manchester Uni. Synchrotron facility at Diamond.
Keywords: Materials science, thermoelectrics, crystal formation
EU "EXOMET", 2012-2016
To study the effects of external fields (magnetic, ultrasonic, shear) on the dispersion of nano-particles or oxides in advanced light alloys of magnesium and aluminium. Project led by the European Space Agency (ESA). Applications in the production of Metal Matrix Nano Composites (MMNC) for use in future transport. Total project value 20M Euros. Web site: http://www.exomet-project.eu/
Keywords: advanced materials, nano-composites, materials modelling
Recent publications
Article
Kaldre, Imants , Felcis, Valdemars, Krastins, Ivars, Soar, Peter , Tonry, Catherine E. H. , Kao, Andrew (2025), Model experiment for the investigation of thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics in metal additive manufacturing. Springer Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). In: , , , . Springer Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), JOM: The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (JOM) ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-025-07458-0) NB Item availability restricted.
Fan, Xianqiang , Fleming, Tristan G., Clark, Samuel J., Fezzaa, Kamel , Getley, Anna C. M. , Marussi, Sebastian , Wang, Hongze , Lun Alex Leung, Chu , Kao, Andrew , Lee, Peter D. (2025), Magnetic modulation of keyhole instability during laser welding and additive manufacturing. American Association for the Advancement of Science. In: , , , . American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science, 387 (6736) . pp. 864-869 ISSN: 0036-8075 (Print), 1095-9203 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado8554).
Fan, Xianqiang , Shevchenko, Natalia, Tonry, Catherine E. H., Clark, Samuel , Atwood, Robert C. , Eckert, Sven , Pericleous, Kyriacos A , Lee, Peter D , Kao, Andrew (2023), Controlling solute channel formation using magnetic fields. Elsevier - Acta Materialia. In: , , , . Elsevier - Acta Materialia, Acta Materialia, 256: 119107 . pp. 1-11 ISSN: 1359-6454 (Print), 1873-2453 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119107).
Fan, Xianqiang , Fleming, Tristan G., Rees, David T., Huang, Yuze , Marussi, Sebastian , Leung, Chu Lun Alex , Atwood, Robert C. , Kao, Andrew , Lee, Peter D. (2023), Thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic control of melt pool flow during laser directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Additive Manufacturing, 71: 103587 (5) . pp. 1-11 ISSN: 2214-7810 (Print), 2214-8604 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2023.103587).
Soar, Peter , Kao, Andrew, Pericleous, Kyriacos A (2023), The impact of two and three dimensional assumptions on coupled structural mechanics and microstructure solidification modelling. MDPI. In: , , , . MDPI, Crystals, 13 (114) . pp. 1-15 2073-4352 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13010114).
Xu, Zhuocheng , Tonry, Catherine E. H., Beckwith, Christopher, Kao, Andrew , Wong, Hayley , Shaffer, Milo S. P. , Pericleous, Koulis A , Li, Qianqian (2022), High-speed imaging of the ultrasonic deagglomeration of carbon nanotubes in water. Springer. In: , , , . Springer, JOM (The Member Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society), 74 (6) . pp. 2470-2483 ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-022-05274-4).
Soar, Peter , Kao, Andrew, Djambazov, Georgi, Pericleous, Kyriacos A (2022), Modelling three-dimensional microstructure evolution influenced by concurrent structural mechanical mechanisms. Springer - Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). In: , , , . Springer - Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), JOM (The Member Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society) . pp. 1-9 ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-022-05232-0).
Soar, Peter , Kao, Andrew, Shevchenko, Natalia, Eckert, Sven , Djambazov, Georgi , Pericleous, Kyriacos A (2022), Predicting concurrent structural mechanical mechanisms during microstructure evolution. The Royal Society. In: , , , . The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 380 (2217) . pp. 1-11 ISSN: 364-503X (Print), 1471-2962 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2021.0149).
Alexandrov, Dmitri V. , Toropova, Liubov V., Titova, Ekaterina A., Kao, Andrew , Demange, Gilles , Galenko, Peter K. , Rettenmayr, Markus (2021), The shape of dendritic tips: a test of theory with computations and experiments. The Royal Society. In: , , , . The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 379: 20200326 ISSN: 1364-503X (Print), 1471-2962 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0326) NB Item availability restricted.
Toropova, L V , Titova, E A, Alexandrov, D V, Galenko, P K , Rettenmayr, M , Kao, Andrew , Demange, G (2021), Dendritic growth of ice crystals: a test of theory with experiments. IOP Publishing Ltd.. In: , , , . IOP Publishing Ltd., Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 33: 365402 ISSN: 0953-8984 (Print), 1361-648X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ac0dd5).
Kao, Andrew , Shevchenko, Natalia, He, Shengya, Lee, Peter D. , Eckert, Sven , Pericleous, Koulis (2020), Magnetic effects on microstructure and solute plume dynamics of directionally solidifying Ga-In alloy. Springer Nature. In: , , , . Springer Nature, JOM: The Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), 72 (10) . pp. 3645-3651 ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04305-2).
Kao, A. , Toropova, L. V., Krastins, I., Demange, G. , Alexandrov, D. V. , Galenko, P. K. (2020), A stable dendritic growth with forced convection: A test of theory using enthalpy-based modeling methods. Springer Nature. In: , , , . Springer Nature, JOM Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 72 (9) . pp. 3123-3131 ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04292-4).
Zhao, Dandan , Gao, Jianrong, Kao, Andrew (2020), Modeling of tip kinetics of undercooled Ti dendrites with consideration of forced flow and oxygen impurity effects. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 159: 120113 ISSN: 0017-9310 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2020.120113).
Cai, B. , Kao, A., Boller, E, Magdysyuk, O. V. , Atwood, R. C. , Vo, N. T. , Pericleous, K. , Lee, P. D. (2020), Revealing the mechanisms by which magneto-hydrodynamics disrupts solidification microstructures. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Acta Materialia, 196 . pp. 200-209 ISSN: 1359-6454 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2020.06.041).
Soar, P. , Kao, A., Djambazov, G., Shevchenko, N. , Eckert, S. , Pericleous, K. (2020), The integration of structural mechanics into microstructure solidification modelling. IOP Publishing. In: , , , . IOP Publishing, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 861: 12054 ISSN: 1757-8981 (Print), 1757-899X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/861/1/012054).
Krastins, Ivars , Kao, Andrew, Pericleous, Koulis, Reis, Timothy (2020), Moment-based boundary conditions for straight on-grid boundaries in three dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulations. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 92 (12) . pp. 1948-1974 ISSN: 0271-2091 (Print), 1097-0363 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/fld.4856).
Kao, A. , Gan, T., Tonry, C., Krastins, I. , Pericleous, K. (2020), Thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic control of melt pool dynamics and microstructure evolution in additive manufacturing. The Royal Society. In: , , , . The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 378 (2171) ISSN: 1364-503X (Print), 1471-2962 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0249).
Toropova, Liubov V. , Galenko, Peter K., Alexandrov, Dmitri V., Demange, Gilles , Kao, Andrew , Rettenmayr, Markus (2020), Theoretical modeling of crystalline symmetry order with dendritic morphology. Springer Verlag. In: , , , . Springer Verlag, European Physical Journal: Special Topics (229) . pp. 275-286 ISSN: 1951-6355 (Print), 1951-6401 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2019-900103-0).
Kao, A , Toropova, L V, Alexandrov, D V, Demange, G , Galenko, P K (2020), Modeling of dendrite growth from undercooled nickel melt: sharp interface model versus enthalpy method. IOP Publishing. In: , , , . IOP Publishing, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 32: 194002 (19) ISSN: 0953-8984 (Print), 1361-648X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ab6aea).
Zhao, Rijie , Gao, Jianrong, Kao, Andrew, Pericleous, Koulis (2019), Verification of thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic flow effects on dendritic tip kinetics by in-situ observations. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 136 . pp. 1139 ISSN: 0017-9310 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.03.055).
Kao, A. , Shevchenko, N., Alexandrakis, M., Krastins, I. , Eckert, S. , Pericleous, K. (2019), Thermal dependence of large scale freckle defect formation. The Royal Society. In: , , , . The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 377 (2143) ISSN: 1364-503X (Print), 1471-2962 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2018.0206).
Cai, B. , Kao, A., Lee, P. D., Boller, E. , Basevi, H. , Phillion, A. B. , Leonardis, A. , Pericleous, K. (2019), Growth of β intermetallic in an Al-Cu-Si alloy during directional solidification via machine learned 4D quantification. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Scripta Materialia, 165 . pp. 29-33 ISSN: 1359-6462 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2019.02.007).
Kao, Andrew , Krastins, Ivars, Alexandrakis, Matthaios, Shevchenko, Natalia , Eckert, Sven , Pericleous, Koulis (2018), A parallel cellular automata Lattice Boltzmann Method for convection-driven solidification. Springer US. In: , , , . Springer US, JOM Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 71 (1) . pp. 48-58 ISSN: 1047-4838 (Print), 1543-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3195-3).
Kao, A. , Gao, J., Pericleous, K. (2018), Thermoelectric Magnetohydrodynamic effects on the crystal growth rate of undercooled Ni dendrites. The Royal Society. In: , , , . The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 376 (2113) ISSN: 364-503X (Print), 1471-2962 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2017.0206).
Zhao, Rijie , Gao, Jianrong, Kao, Andrew, Pericleous, Koulis (2017), Measurements and modelling of dendritic growth velocities of pure Fe with thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics convection. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Journal of Crystal Growth, 475 . pp. 354-361 ISSN: 0022-0248 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2017.07.020).
Book
Lappa, Marcello , Hamerton, Ian, Roberts, Peter C E, Kao, Andrew , Domingos, Marco , Soorghali, Hamid , Carvil, Philip (2024), Why space? The opportunity for materials science and innovation. Catapult Satellite Applications - UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council. In: , , , . Catapult Satellite Applications - UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council, Didcot, UK (1st) . ISBN: 9781914241680 (doi: https://d11avd6t8zdcx0.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/02/Why-Space_Feb-2024-1.pdf).
Conference proceedings
Soar, Peter , Krastins, Ivars, Brown, Paul, Draper, Owen , Green, Nick , Kao, Andrew (2025), Three-dimensional effects in the dendritic growth competition of Bi-crystals. Springer. In: , , In: Alexandra Anderson, Adrian S. Sabau, Chukwunwike Iloeje, Adamantia Lazou, Kayla M. Molnar (eds.), Materials Processing Fundamentals 2025: Thermodynamics and Rate Phenomena. Springer, Cham, Switzerland The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series (1st) . pp. 119-121 . ISBN: 9783031810527 ; 9783031810534ISSN: 2367-1696 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81053-4_11) NB Item availability restricted.
Soar, Peter , Kao, Andrew, Djambazov, Georgi, Pericleous, Kyriacos A (2023), A study of the complex dynamics of dendrite solidification coupled to structural mechanics. IOP Publishing Ltd. In: , , , 16th International Conference on Modelling of Casting, Welding and Advanced Solidification Processes (MCWASP 2023). 18th - 23rd June 2023. Banff, Canada. IOP Publishing Ltd, Bristol, UK and Philadelphia, PA , 1281 (12045) (1st) . pp. 1-10 ISSN: 1757-8981 (Print), 1757-899X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1281/1/012045).
Kao, A , Tonry, C, Soar, P, Krastins, I , Fan, X , Lee, PD , Pericleous, K (2023), Modulating meltpool dynamics and microstructure using thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics in additive manufacturing. IOP Publishing Ltd. In: , , , IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. IOP Publishing Ltd, , 1281 . pp. 12022 ISSN: 1757-8981 (Print), 1757-899X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1281/1/012022).
Kao, A , Gan, T, Tonry, C, Krastins, I , Pericleous, K (2020), Study of thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic convection on solute redistribution during laser additive manufacturing. IOP Publishing. In: , , , IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. IOP Publishing, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 861 . pp. 12009 ISSN: 1757-8981 (Print), 1757-899X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/861/1/012009).