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High-performance computing (HPC) has emerged as a crucial tool for advancing wind energy research and development. The ever-increasing demand for clean and renewable energy sources, coupled with the inherent complexities of wind energy systems, requires the use of HPC to address the various challenges in this field. This talk will highlight the significance, applications, and potential benefits of HPC for wind energy research.

I will briefly introduce the open-source framework Xcompact3d, dedicated to the study of turbulent flows on HPC systems. Based on high-order finite-difference schemes on a Cartesian mesh, it combines accuracy, efficiency, versatility and scalability. Xcompact3d can be used as a wind farm simulator for simulating and analysing wind energy scenarios in a virtual environment. I will present a collection of results ranging from the study of the stability of wind turbine tip vortices, the entrainment process in large-scale wind farms, some layout optimisations with complex terrains, and some power maximisation studies using wake steering.

• Speaker: Sylvain Laizet, Imperial College London
• Thursday 22 February 2024, 11:30-12:30
• Venue: Open Plan Area, Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows, Madingley Rise CB3 0EZ.
• Series: Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF); organiser: Catherine Pearson.

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Determining the dynamics of reactive fluid-rock interaction is critical for uncovering the geochemical and geodynamic evolution of the lithosphere and their application in industries like CO2 storage and geothermal energy development. Geological evidence suggests that fluid-rock interactions can self-generate fluid pathways, forming a transient network of pores and fractures through mineral replacement reactions. In my presentation, I will highlight our recent research on: (1) the extent of crystallization forces in positive solid volume-changing replacement reactions, essential for reaction-induced fracturing, (2) the impact of nanoconfinement on the physical properties of geofluids and its influence on rock reactivity, and (3) the latest advances in combining 4D (3D plus time) synchrotron X-ray tomography with advanced deep-learning techniques and statistical microstructural analysis to track transient phenomena in evolving porous media.

• Speaker: Oliver Plumper, Utrecht University
• Tuesday 30 January 2024, 12:00-13:00
• Venue: Department of Earth Sciences, Tilley Lecture Theatre.
• Series: Department of Earth Sciences Seminars (downtown); organiser: Dr Rachael Rhodes.

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There is intense interest in the future stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). Models range widely in their predictions and in the physics they include. Because the timescales for ice sheets are long, our best hope of constraining the solutions is to look at the past behaviour of WAIS . Two periods are of particular interest. The end of the last glacial period is a time when we know that ice was retreating from its glacial extent, so we can study the pace of retreat. The last interglacial (LIG) is a particularly important time because Antarctic temperature was higher than present and some models predict the complete loss of WAIS and of the large ice shelves adjacent to it.

Within the WACSWAIN (WArm Climate Stability of the West Antarctic ice sheet in the last INterglacial) project, in 2019 we retrieved a 651 metre ice core to the bed of Skytrain Ice Rise. This ice rise is adjacent to the Ronne Ice Shelf and the WAIS , but is expected to have maintained an independent ice flow because of the protection afforded by the Ellsworth Mountains. The ice core has been processed and analysed continuously for a range of analytes, including water isotopes, methane and major chemistry.

Our analyses show that the core is continuous through the last glacial period, and most of the last interglacial. Folds occur near the base, in the ice at the older end of the LIG , so that although older ice may be present, we can only interpret the core to 125 ka.

Here, I will show what happened to the ice around Skytrain Ice Rise in the Holocene and the LIG , and discuss the implications for the rate and extent of future ice loss.

• Speaker: Eric Wolff, Department of Earth Sciences
• Tuesday 23 January 2024, 12:00-13:00
• Venue: Department of Earth Sciences, Tilley Lecture Theatre.
• Series: Department of Earth Sciences Seminars (downtown); organiser: Dr Rachael Rhodes.

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Some of the most dramatic landforms on Earth — from majestic fold mountains to deep ocean trenches — are created at plate boundaries. But sometimes topographic features cannot be explained by plate tectonics alone. Cambridge Earth Sciences’ Philippa Slay, PhD student with Nicky White, is investigating evidence for...

The Curiosity Rover of Mars Science Laboratory has been successfully exploring Gale Crater since 2012 and Professor John Bridges has been a Participating Scientist throughout its mission. The mission has changed our understanding of martian geological evolution and helped define the aims of future Mars exploration including Mars Sample Return. This talk discusses some of our key discoveries and challenges of operating a rover on Mars together with the significance of planning for the NASA -ESA Mars Sample Return programme.

This talks is in collaboration with CUAS

• Speaker: Professor John Bridges - University of Leicester
• Tuesday 23 January 2024, 19:30-20:30
• Venue: Tilley Lecture Theater, Department of Earth Sciences.
• Series: Sedgwick Club talks; organiser: Lucas Measures.

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