As the name implies, CFD models and represents fluid movement using computer simulation. This is accomplished by solving a set of equations that govern the activity. Computational Fluid Dynamics MSc will be a good degree choice if you want to build a career in CFD.
The discipline’s evolution is inextricably linked to the evolution of computational power. It was first used in the aerospace industry around 1985 and then in other industries around 1995. Since then, powerful software and computer power advances have made CFD more accessible and widely used
What exactly is gamification, and why is it so important?
“Gamification is the strategic attempt to improve systems, services, organisations, and activities to create similar experiences to those experienced playing games to motivate and engage users,” according to Wikipedia.
In terms of software, mature open-source CFD solvers such as OpenFOAM and SU2 are available, which reduce licensing costs — albeit with steep learning curves. Commercial CFD software has made it easier to use by providing cloud services and integrating with workflows and other tools.
These have resulted in the democratisation of CFD capabilities, such that non-experts can use CFD early and throughout the design process.
This blog examines gamification as the next step after democratisation, in which strategies are used to actively engage users to promote the use of CFD beyond simply completing analysis or study.
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CFD Gamification
Following are the gamification effects or attempts in CFD in three distinct ways.
- The attention has traditionally occurred in academic and conference settings, with software vendors organising user meetings and newsletters focusing on their product(s) and targeting current and prospective users. Some initiatives interact with a broad community without promoting a specific piece of software.
- The second strand is competition-based active engagement with software users. Such competitions may be aimed at future software users, such as the CONVERGE Academic Competition, STEM activities, such as the Fluid Dynamics Photography Competition, or current software users, as seen in The Art of Simulation Image Competition.
The Medium Challenge is a practical design and aerodynamic skills challenge in which participants designed virtual racing cars ranked based on predicted lap-time using design aerodynamic performances assessed using CFD.
- The final strand is in minimalist fluid dynamic software — we won’t call it CFD because these are design tools. These programs provide an easily accessible and interactive environment for experimenting with fluid dynamics. Fluid dynamics simulations can be run in a browser, such as liquid fun-wasm and CFD-wasm, or on a phone or tablet, such as Navier-Stokes Arts & Wind Tunnel or mesh flow.
Conclusion
Pushing gamification further, one can imagine adding gaming features to a full-fledged CFD software, such as concurrent multi-user/player capabilities. Other additions can include practice areas in place of tutorials scoreboard/rating where a user would progress from beginner to expert based on their ability to converge simulation. Check these CFD Certification courses in Delhi if you want to become a gamification expert.
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