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