Jim Kostas is currently undertaking a PhD in experimental fluid mechanics at the LTRA&C. Research involves developing optical measurement techniques for use on turbulent flows, such as Particle Image Velocimetry, Laser Induced Fluorecence and Holographic Particle Image Velocimetry. These are being used to investigate the backward facing step flow and adverse pressure gradient separated boundary layer. Flow structure investigation involves the use of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and the velocity gradient tensor on the experimentally measured velocity and vorticity fields.
