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Dr Xinjun Cui

Dr Xinjun Cui PhD

Senior Lecturer and Research Theme Lead at NCEFE


Summary

I am a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Engineering and Maths and a Research Theme Lead for Systems for Sustainable Food Production at the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE). I also hold a Royal Society Short Industry Fellow and Honorary Research Fellow at Manchester University.

I joined Sheffield Hallam University for its Aerospace Engineering in September 2012, and have been the course leadership for the MEng/BEng Aerospace Engineering between 2013-2021. I won a University Inspirational Teaching Award (ITA) in 2014 and a College ITA in 2015. The MEng Aerospace Engineering course won a College Award in 2015 and 2017, and the BEng Aerospace won a College Award in 2016. The Aerospace Engineering course now becomes a largest programme in the Department of Engineering and Maths with about 300 students. The national subject ranking of SHU Aerospace is 21st in 2022 according to thecompleteuniversityguide. I have published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers, where my research area has covered areas from aerodynamics, CFD modelling and simulation for transonic flows, multi-phase flows, rotating flows, granular flows and natural hazardous flows, to flight mechanics, trajectory modelling and simulation, signal processing and system recognition.

About

I obtained my BEng (1986) and MSc (1989) degrees in Aerospace Engineering in China, and became an academic after my graduation. Between 1999 and 2002, I did a PhD in Applied Maths funded by EPSRC at the University of Manchester, entitled "Numerical Computations of the Navier-Stokes equations for confined rotating flows". During my Postdoctoral years, I worked on various projects funded by EPSRC, NERC and Rolls-Royce at the Manchester of University and the University of Nottingham. I started my teaching and research career in the field of aerospace/mechanical engineering and applied mathematics.

In 2008, I joined the University of Wales Newport (now the University of South Wales) as a Senior Lecturer, and later on became a programme leader for the undergraduate engineering provision and was acting as the Head of Engineering during my last year at Newport.

I have been an active reviewer for leading journals including Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Physics of Fluids, Aerospace Science & Technology, AIAA Journal etc., as well as for EPSRC research proposals. I have also been invited as an external examiner/subject expert for UK and oversea institutions including Coventry University, Wolverhampton University, Weston College and Emirates Aviation University. I am currently an external examiner for the Aerospace Engineering programme of Kingston University.

Senior Lecturer

Specialist Areas of Interest:

- Computational aerodynamics;
- Granular free-surface flows;
- Shock wave capturing.

Teaching

Department of Engineering and Mathematics

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

Relevant projects:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Granular flows
  • Propulsions

Subject area:

Thermofluids

Xinjun is the Course Leader for MEng/BEng Aerospace Engineering.

Modules taught:

  • Aerospace Numerical Methods and Applications (Level 5)
  • Propulsions and Aerodynamics (Level 6)
  • Astronautics, Aeronautical CFD (Level 7)

Research

Current research projects:
Modelling simulation and experimentation of granular flows.

Featured research projects:

  • Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship
  • Next Generation Rice Processing (Innovate UK)
  • E&M Research Scheme - 2022 (Internal)
  • GTA Scheme (SHU)

Collaborators and Sponsors:

  • Koolmill Systems Ltd.
  • Siemens
  • Zeck etc.

Publications

Key Publications

Sinclair, J., & Cui, X. (2017). A theoretical approximation of the shock stand-off distance for the flows around a circular cylinder. Physics of Fluids, 29, 026102. http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4975983

Cui, X., & Gray, J.M.N.T. (2013). Gravity-driven granular free-surface flow around a circular cylinder. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 720, 314-337. http://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2013.42

Cui, X., & Gray, N. (2013). Front Cover for the Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Volume 720, 2013. [Journal front cover]. http://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2013.42

Cui, X., & Gray, J.M.N.T. (2009). Shock waves and snow avalanches. The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Science, Cambridge

Cui, X., Gray, J.M.N.T., & Jóhannesson, T. (2007). Deflecting dams and the formation of oblique shocks in snow avalanches at Flateyri, Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112 (F4). http://doi.org/10.1029/2006JF000712

Gray, J.M.N.T., & Cui, X. (2007). Weak, strong and detached oblique shocks in gravity-driven granular free-surface flows. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 579, 113. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112007004843

Cui, X., Ruban, A.I., & Wang, Y. (1999). A numerical test of viscous transonic flows with TVD scheme. 9th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference. http://doi.org/10.2514/6.1999-4838

Cui, X. (1995). A discussion of the heuristic teaching method with a case study on engineering problems. Journal of Higher Education, Mechanical Engineering Institute of Shijiazhuang, China, 4, 25-29.

Song, P., & Cui, X. (1990). An accurate rigid body trajectory model and its application. Journal of Projectiles, Missiles, Rockets and Guidance, (4), 12-31.

Journal articles

Cui, X., Harris, M., Howarth, M., Zealey, D., Brown, R., & Shepherd, J. (2022). Granular flow around a cylindrical obstacle in an inclined chute. Physics of Fluids, 34 (9). http://doi.org/10.1063/5.0101694

Tregaskis, C., Johnson, C.G., Cui, X., & Gray, J.M.N.T. (2022). Subcritical and supercritical granular flow around an obstacle on a rough inclined plane. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 933. http://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.1074

Cui, X. (2021). Strong oblique shock waves in granular free-surface flows. Physics of Fluids, 33 (8), 083302. http://doi.org/10.1063/5.0057700

Cui, X. (2019). Shock Waves: From Gas Dynamics to Granular Flows. International Journal of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, 1 (1), 7-9. http://doi.org/10.18689/ijae-1000102

Cui, X. (2014). Computational and experimental studies of rapid free-surface granular flows around obstacles. Computers & Fluids, 89, 179-190. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2013.10.036

Cui, X. (2008). Cellpattern and stagnationring of the flowdriven by the counter-rotation in afluid-filledcylinder. Computers and Fluids, 37 (2), 135-145. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2007.07.016

Cui, X. (2004). Numerical simulations of the generation of Taylor–Görtler vortices during spin-down to rest in finite-length cylinders. Computers & Fluids, 33 (4), 603-621. http://doi.org/10.1016/s0045-7930(03)00060-4

Cui, X. (2003). A Numerical Study of the Recirculation Zones During Spin-Up and Spin-Down for Confined Rotating Flows *. Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics, 17 (1), 31-49. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00162-003-0092-2

Cui, X., Ruban, A.I., & Wang, Y. (1999). Capturing of shock waves for transonic and supersonic viscous flows with TVD schemes. Dandao Xuebao/Journal of Ballistics, 11 (2), 53-66.

Wu, Z., & Cui, X. (1998). Selection of the boat-tail angle in primary design. Binggong Xuebao/Acta Armamentarii, 19 (1), 90-92.

Cui, X., & Wu, Z. (1998). Influence of the combustion method on the flight range of trajectories. Journal of Projectiles, Missiles, Rockets and Guidance, (1), 7-10.

Cui, X. (1997). Selection of the integration steps for the trajectory models. Journal of Projectiles, Missiles, Rockets and Guidance, 9 (2), 72-75.

Cui, X. (1996). The mechanical essence of the gyroscopic moment and its effect on flight trajectories. Journal of Projectiles, Missiles, Rockets and Guidance, (4), 1-5.

Wu, Z., & Cui, X. (1996). Determination of the optimal boat-tail angle at supersonic flight. Dandao Xuebao/Journal of Ballistics, 8 (2), 23-27.

Conference papers

Cui, X., Ruban, A.I., & Wang, Y. (1999). A numerical test of viscous transonic flows with TVD scheme. 9th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference.

Meng, Z., & Cui, X. (1997). A Method for Measuring Pressure Distribution with Transfer Function. In Wen, T.D. (Ed.) ISTM/97 2nd International Symposium on Test and Measurement, Beijing, China, 1 June 1997 - 4 June 1997 (pp. 336-338). INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS UB/TIB Hannover

Cui, X. (1992). Linearization errors of trajectory models in high angle of yaw. In 13th International Symposium of Ballistics, Stockholm, Sweden, (pp. 257-264). Stockholm, Sweden

Song, P., & Cui, X. (1988). Factors influencing dynamic equilibrium yaw. In Ist Nanjing International Conference on Ballistics, China, 26 August 1988 - 28 August 1988.

Book chapters

Cui, X. (2022). A perspective of shock waves for gasdynamical and granular flows. In Novel Perspectives of Engineering Research. B P International, UK

Hogg, A.J., Gray, J.M.N.T., & Cui, X. (2005). Granular vacua. In Garcia-Rojo, R., Herrmann, H.J., & Mcnamara, S. (Eds.) Powders and grains 2005 : proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Micromechanics of Granular Media. (pp. 929-933). CRC Press: https://www.routledge.com/Powders-and-Grains-2005-Two-Volume-Set-Proceedings-of-the-International/Garcia-Rojo-Herrmann-McNamara/p/book/9780415383486

Pietrek, M. (1996). Preface. In Mi, D., & Wang, S. (Eds.) Windows 95 system programming secrets (Chinese edition). Publishing House of Electronics Industry

Pietrek, M. (1996). Preface. In Mi, D., & Wang, S. (Eds.) Windows 95 system programming secrets (Chinese edition). Publishing House of Electronics Industry

Theses / Dissertations

Cui, X. (2003). Numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations with application to rotating flows. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hewitt, R.E.

Exhibitions

Cui, X., & Gray, N. (2005). Rapid granular flows around a circular cylinder. A public event for the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Presentations

Cui, X. (2022). Granular flows around obstacles: experiment, simulation and analytical approach. Presented at: World Congress of Physics Frontier 2022, Seoul, South Korea

Cui, X. (2017). A perspective of shock waves: with examples in gasdynamic and granular flows [abstract only]. Presented at: 2nd international conference on fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, Rome, Italy, 2017

Cui, X. (2009). Shock waves in natural hazardous flows. Presented at: Wales NEXUS Conference 2009, University of Wales Newport, 2009

Cui, X. (2009). Computational fluid mechanics and shock wave simulations. Presented at: Seminar at Imperial College, Imperial College

Cui, X. (2009). Rapid granular flows around a cylinder. Presented at: Annual meeting on shock waves by the Royal Society, The Royal Society

Cui, X. (2009). Shock waves and snow avalanches. Presented at: IMA conference on dense granular flows, The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Science

Cui, X. (2005). Weak, strong and detached shocks in granular flows. Presented at: Successes and failures of continuous models for discrete systems, Bristol, 2005

Cui, X. (2005). From granular shocks to snow avalanche defences. Presented at: Satie Meeting in Iceland, Iceland, 2005

Cui, X., & Gray, J.M.N.T. (2004). Rapid granular free-surface flow past a cylinder. Presented at: Gordon Research Conference on Granular & Granular-Fluid Flow, Cobly College, Maine, U. S. A, 2004

Cui, X. (2003). Numerical and experimental studies of rapid granular free-surface flow past a cylinder. Presented at: Granular & Particle-laden Flows, Bristol, 2003

Cui, X. (2003). Rapid granular free-surface flow past a cylinder. Presented at: Conference on Flow Regimes, Transitions & Segregation in Granular & Particle-laden Flows, Cambridge, 2003

Cui, X. (2003). Simulation and experiment on rapid granular flows around a cylinder. Presented at: Workshop by Manchester Center for Nonlinear Dynamics, University of Manchester

Cui, X. (2000). A numerical simulation of rotating flows in a circular cylinder. Presented at: British Applied Mathematics Colloquium 2000, UMIST, Manchester, 2000

Posters

Cui, X., & Gray, N. (2003). Rapid granular free-surface flow past a cylindrical obstacle. Presented at: Conference on Flow Regimes, Transitions & Segregation in Granular & Particle-laden Flows, INI for Mathematical Science, University of Cambridge, 2003

Other activities

Reviewer for Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Physics of Fluids, AIAA J., EPSRC etc.

External Examiner for Kingston University's Aerospace Engineering (2020-2024)

Postgraduate supervision

MEng/MSc projects on Rockect/Granular projects

RAs on granular flows

GTA (TBC)

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