A calibrated and virtual multiscale wave measurement laboratory to enhance and complement flow measurements: From basic research to industrial application

The interaction of fluid flow and ultrasonic waves is a central, but still insufficiently researched, issue for numerous application areas. At the University of Applied Sciences Bochum, research in this field will be established in the long term. For this purpose, three development levels are created in this research impulse (FIP), which are very closely interlinked with each other. In the first level, the applying professors deepen and expand their core competencies in flow simulation, ultrasonic simulation, experimental flow research, laser-optical flow measurement and ultrasonic measurements. In the second level, a joint calibrated flow and ultrasound laboratory will be established and digital twins of the laboratory will be developed. The goal is the transdisciplinary integration of the different tools of all research units. Under optimally controlled laboratory conditions, a wide variety of flow scenarios can be investigated and new methods for ultrasonic measurement of flows can be developed and optimized. This second level is assigned to basic research. In the third level, four applied projects, so-called spin-off real-labs, will be implemented. The fundamental findings of the first two levels will be applied to concrete questions: Flow investigations in rivers and lakes, ultrasonic measurements of material transport in pipelines, characterization of flow signatures in cores and cuttings, and the detection of flow in geothermal reservoirs. geothermal reservoirs. These spin-off projects will be nuclei for new projects and industry partnerships. Likewise, new spin-off projects will be added during the course of the FIP. The impulses from level 1 and 2 thus stimulate research at the Bochum University of Applied Sciences. With this FIP, further elements will be implemented to ensure and consolidate excellent applied research and to make it permanent. A central point is the promotion of young scientists. One junior professorship and five doctoral positions will be established. In a permanent scientific seminar the multidisciplinary exchange is demanded and promoted. The multitude of scientific questions allows the announcement of more than 50 master and bachelor theses and a close integration with teaching in all participating departments. A career coach accompanies young scientists in the various stages of their training. A special feature of this FIP is the external scientific board. A total of four external external professors are invited to Bochum once a year to critically review the project's critically accompany and support the status of the project scientifically and organizationally. One professor from the scientific board has an additional task: she will explicitly accompany the promotion of young women and critically review the promotion of young female scientists.