SPHERIC 2024 WRAP-UP: Advancing SPH Research and Applications

The 2024 SPHERIC (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics European Research Interest Community) Workshop, held in Berlin from June 18-20, was a remarkable convergence of researchers, engineers, and industry experts dedicated to advancing the SPH method. This year's conference marked the 18th installment of the annual event, showcasing cutting-edge developments and applications of SPH across various domains.

Overview of the Workshop

SPHERIC 2024 maintained its tradition of combining theoretical discussions with practical applications, offering participants a comprehensive view of the current state of SPH research and its industrial uses. The workshop included keynote presentations, technical sessions with 51 presentations, and a hands-on training day, all designed to deepen the understanding of SPH and its evolving methodologies.

Key Themes and Sessions

The conference was structured around several key themes, reflecting the broad range of SPH applications and the ongoing challenges in the field. Some of the primary areas of focus included:

1. Theoretical and Numerical Challenges: This theme covered fundamental issues such as convergence, consistency, and stability in SPH simulations, which are crucial for improving the reliability and accuracy of SPH models.
2. Alternative Formulations: Participants explored various particle-based approaches beyond traditional SPH, including discrete mechanics methods and hybrid mesh-to-meshless schemes, offering new perspectives on how SPH can be integrated with other computational techniques.
3. Numerical Modeling and Scientific Computing: These sessions delved into the technical aspects of SPH, discussing advancements in high-performance computing, hardware acceleration, and the development of new algorithms to enhance simulation efficiency and accuracy.

However, one of the standout features of this year's conference was the emphasis on bridging the gap between academia and industry: The workshop highlighted the versatility of SPH in solving real-world problems. Applications in hydraulic engineering, maritime and naval architecture, automotive and aerospace industries were presented, showcasing SPH's growing relevance across different sectors

The hands-on training day prior to the main conference allowed participants to work directly with Dive’s SPH software, applying the latest techniques to real-world scenarios under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

Highlights from Keynote Presentations

The keynote speeches were a major highlight of SPHERIC 2024, offering deep insights from leading experts in the field. Talks were given by Pierre Sabrowski, Prof. Dr. Abdulla Ghani and Dr. Martin Ferrand. Covering topics from the next steps in SPH’s industrial Journey to artificial intelligence in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the integration of finite volume methods in SPH.  Each keynote was followed by a robust discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers. These sessions provided a platform for addressing both the successes and the challenges facing the SPH community, particularly in the areas of boundary conditions and adaptivity.

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The Libersky Prize and Student Contributions

A significant part of SPHERIC 2024 was the participation of young researchers and students, who presented their work alongside established experts. The Libersky Prize, awarded for the best student paper and presentation, highlighted the innovative contributions of the next generation of SPH researchers. This year's competition was particularly fierce, reflecting the high quality and originality of the research being conducted by students worldwide. They presented research on electric engine cooling in race cars, inclusion of radiation models in SPH, Non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, and much more. The first prize was won by Meixuan Lin from the university of Manchester for her Paper on a “A novel immersed boundary spectral ISPH scheme”

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Conclusion

SPHERIC 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse community of researchers and practitioners who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with SPH. The workshop not only highlighted the current state of the art but also set the stage for future advancements in the field. As SPH continues to evolve, events like SPHERIC will remain crucial in fostering collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the method's full potential is realized across a wide range of applications.

For more detailed information on the SPHERIC 2024 workshop, including a complete list of topics and presentations, you can visit the official SPHERIC website.

Featured Papers and Innovations

During the workshop, several notable papers and projects were presented, representing the practical applications of SPH across industries. These publications illustrate how SPH methods address real-world engineering challenges while enhancing performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Here’s an overview of some of the featured papers, alongside their  access links:
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