Department of Energy Engineering

Fluid Mechanics is the branch of science that studies the behaviour of fluids (liquids and gases) at rest and in motion, defining the exchanges of forces and energy that occur within them. The fundamental laws describing their behaviour are studied through different approaches: analytical, numerical with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and experimental in laboratories.

Fluids such as air and water shape our entire living environment and influence numerous scientific fields like Meteorology, Hydrology, Oceanography, and Medicine. In engineering, there are multiple applications where fluids dictate the evolution of designs and processes, such as in the fields of aeronautics and naval engineering, where fluid-structure interaction plays a significant role. Other key areas include the design of freshwater supply networks and sanitation systems, and the operation and selection of fluid machines that supply energy to fluids (pumps and fans) or extract energy from them (turbines and wind turbines). Similarly, other applications include the use of fluids to transmit forces in hydraulic actuators or presses, and their use as a medium for transmitting thermal energy in heating and cooling circuits.

The wide applicability of Fluid Mechanics in various technological areas makes it an essential body of knowledge in engineering education and fundamental for advancing multiple research fields today.