About the Center for Turbulence Research

The Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) is devoted to the fundamental study of turbulent flows. Turbulence is the rule -- not the exception -- in complex engineering systems. A solid grasp of the structure and mechanics of turbulence allows engineers to design fuel-efficient combustion engines, quieter airplanes and more productive, less expensive wind farms. With data from physical and numerical experiments, CTR develops reduced order models, numerical algorithms and flow measurement techniques for prediction and control of turbulent flows for engineering analysis.

The principal objective of the CTR is to stimulate significant advances in the physical understanding of turbulence and related non-linear multi-scale phenomena. These advances are directed to improving capabilities for control of turbulence and to modeling turbulence for engineering analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on probing turbulent flow fields from numerical simulations and/or laboratory experiments, on using new diagnostic techniques and mathematical methods, on concepts for turbulence control and modeling, and on complex effects in turbulence. These effects include, complex geometry, chemical reactions, complex fluids, flow instabilities, active noise control, thermo-acoustics, electro-convection, multi-phase and particle-laden flows, and uncertainty quantification.

The Center's view is that the key to advances in turbulence is sustained interaction by researchers. It is essential that those working on theoretical aspects of the problem interact with those conducting experimental or computational research, and that a broad range of viewpoints and methods be brought together in a catalytic manner. The essence of the CTR is to provide the central core of this needed critical mass activity.

The main elements of the Center are an extensive Fellows program, a biennial summer program, seminars and workshops, and a core of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Although the emphasis of the CTR is to advance the understanding of turbulent flows, it is an interdisciplinary program; researchers with interest in turbulence are sought from Mathematics, Aeronautics, Meteorology, Physics, Astrophysics, Solar Physics, Computer Science, Oceanography, and other areas. Traditionally, 30% of CTR Postdoctoral Fellows have had Ph.D's in Physics and Applied Mathematics.

A number of organizations support the work at CTR, including programs sponsored by the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Office of Naval Research (ONR), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as industrial partners and international research agencies.

Building Location:

Stanford University
Center for Turbulence Research
481 Panama Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3024

For Federal Express, UPS, or other priority mail services, please use the following address:

Stanford University
Center for Turbulence Research
Building 500, Room 500A
488 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3035

Phone: (650)736-0766
Email: turbulence@stanford.edu