About this Research Topic
Quantum computing research has developed into a very active and diverse area of research, including work on creating quantum processing hardware as well as investigation into applications with a potential significant speed-up relative to simulations on classical (non-quantum) computer. In this Research Topic the focus is on computational science and engineering applications, including computational fluid dynamics, combustion modelling, computational aero-acoustics and heat transfer. For these applications, the search for effective quantum algorithms is still in its infancy. This Research Topic focusses on presenting the progress made so far in this area.
Computational Fluid Dynamics applications in a wide range of areas are often limited by available computer resources. Detailed simulation of the turbulent flows around fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, the aerodynamics of wind turbines or the hypersonic flow encountered during reentry of spacecraft are just of a few examples of such challenging applications. Similar limitations also occur in other computational science and engineering applications, e.g. combustion modelling, computational aero-acoustics, simulating multi-phase flows and analysis of heat transfer. Quantum algorithms for such applications, designed to run on emerging quantum computers, would therefore be of great value to scientists and engineers in case a significant speed-up relative to classical algorithms running on conventional high-performance computers can be achieved. The potential benefit and societal impact could be vast by facilitating simulations with higher levels of accuracy and fidelity in physical modelling.
Progress in developing quantum algorithms for the applications outlined above with a significant speed-up relative to classical algorithms executed on classical computers has been limited so far. However, this area of research has seen significant growth and progress in recent years.
In this Research Topic the current state-of-the-art as well as the outstanding research challenges will be presented, including (but not limited to) work in:
• Computational fluid dynamics;
• Design optimization problems;
• Turbulent flows;
• Hypersonic and non-equilibrium flows;
• Flow with chemical reactions;
• Heat transfer problems.
Computational Fluid Dynamics applications in a wide range of areas are often limited by available computer resources. Detailed simulation of the turbulent flows around fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, the aerodynamics of wind turbines or the hypersonic flow encountered during reentry of spacecraft are just of a few examples of such challenging applications. Similar limitations also occur in other computational science and engineering applications, e.g. combustion modelling, computational aero-acoustics, simulating multi-phase flows and analysis of heat transfer. Quantum algorithms for such applications, designed to run on emerging quantum computers, would therefore be of great value to scientists and engineers in case a significant speed-up relative to classical algorithms running on conventional high-performance computers can be achieved. The potential benefit and societal impact could be vast by facilitating simulations with higher levels of accuracy and fidelity in physical modelling.
Progress in developing quantum algorithms for the applications outlined above with a significant speed-up relative to classical algorithms executed on classical computers has been limited so far. However, this area of research has seen significant growth and progress in recent years.
In this Research Topic the current state-of-the-art as well as the outstanding research challenges will be presented, including (but not limited to) work in:
• Computational fluid dynamics;
• Design optimization problems;
• Turbulent flows;
• Hypersonic and non-equilibrium flows;
• Flow with chemical reactions;
• Heat transfer problems.
Keywords: Quantum computing, Computational fluid dynamics, Turbulent flow, High-speed gas dynamics and rarefied flows, Computational structural mechanics, Design optimization, Heat transfer
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