The Neil Ashton Podcast

Florian Menter discusses his journey in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the development of the K-Omega SST model. He shares his experiences working at NASA Ames and the collaborative environment in the CFD community. Florian also talks about his decision to return to Germany and his role in the early days of what would be become ANSYS. Florian Menter discusses the birth and development of the SST turbulence model, the challenges of transition modeling, and the future of RANS models. He also explores the potential of machine learning in CFD and shares advice for young researchers. The conversation highlights the importance of pursuing valuable ideas, keeping things simple, and envisioning the outcome of one's work.

In this conversation, Neil interviews Dimitris Katsanis, one of the world leading experts in bike design. They discuss the UCI regulations that govern bike design for road and track racing. Dimitris explains the evolution of bike design and the role of carbon fiber and titanium in creating lightweight and aerodynamic bikes. He also talks about his collaboration with Pinarello and the development of the Dogma F8 and F10 bikes.
Dimitris emphasizes the importance of balancing weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics in bike design and the ongoing pursuit of improvement in the field. In this part of the conversation, Dimitris Katsanis discusses the evolution of bike design, the importance of aerodynamics and system drag reduction, the differences between track and road bike design, the interactions between the bike and rider, the impact of weight and aerodynamics in solo breakaways, the ongoing weight vs. aero debate, the role of stiffness in bike design, the relationship between stiffness and comfort in bike frames, and the potential of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in bike manufacturing.
In this conversation, we also discuss the limitations of carbon fiber in bike design and the potential of 3D printing to overcome these limitations. He explains how 3D printing allows for the creation of custom shapes and internal structures that can improve the performance and weight of bike components. Katsanis shares examples of 3D printed handlebars and frames that are lighter than their carbon fiber counterparts. He also discusses the future of mass customization in bike design and the impact of regulations on innovation.
Finally, he speculates on what bikes may look like in the future if design restrictions were lifted.
Chapters
06:40 Introduction and Background
11:10 UCI Regulations and Bike Design
17:48 Evolution of Bike Design and UCI Regulations
25:27 Influence of Weight and Aerodynamics on Bike Performance
32:01 Pushing the Limits of Aerodynamics
37:16 Yaw Sensitivity and Aerofoil Sections
40:53 Continual Improvement in Bike Design
42:25 The Evolution of Bike Design
42:51 Aerodynamics and System Drag Reduction
44:21 Track vs. Road Bike Design
47:05 Interactions Between Bike and Rider
48:02 The Importance of Aero in Solo Breakaways
53:00 Weight vs. Aero Debate
56:00 The Impact of Weight on Performance
58:04 The Role of Stiffness in Bike Design
01:04:01 Stiffness and Comfort in Bike Frames
01:11:56 Materials in Bike Design: Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, and Carbon Fiber
01:18:08 The Potential of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
01:19:45 The Limitations of Carbon Fiber
01:21:41 The Potential of 3D Printing
01:24:10 The Surprising Lightness of 3D Printed Titanium
01:28:02 The Future of Mass Customization
01:34:06 The Impact of Regulations on Bike Design
01:43:09 Speculating on the Bike of the Future

In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of cycling, focusing on the critical role of aerodynamics and the evolution of training techniques. Featuring Dr. Michael Hutchinson, a former top-level cyclist and expert in cycling aerodynamics, the conversation explores Dr. Hutch's journey from competitive cycling to becoming a prominent figure in cycling media. The discussion highlights the importance of power meters in training, the cultural landscape of cycling in the UK, and the technical innovations that have transformed the sport. In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of cycling performance, focusing on the impact of training, nutrition, and equipment. We highlight the importance of training less, the advancements in nutrition that allow cyclists to perform better, and the diverse training approaches that exist among athletes. The conversation also touches on the professionalism of cyclists, the rise of women's cycling, and the significant role of aerodynamics and equipment in enhancing performance. In this conversation, Neil and Dr Hutch discusses the intricate balance between power and aerodynamics in cycling, the evolution of rider trust in aerodynamic advice, and the significant impact of wind tunnels on performance. He explores the challenges of wind tunnel testing versus real-world validation, the role of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in cycling aerodynamics, and the regulatory challenges that arise with advancing technology.
Dr Hutch X handle: https://x.com/Doctor_Hutch
Faster: The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World's Fastest Cyclists: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faster-Obsession-Science-Fastest-Cyclists/dp/1408843757
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Cycling Passion
02:57 The Intersection of Cycling and Aerodynamics
06:02 Dr. Hutch's Journey into Competitive Cycling
08:57 The Evolution of Aerodynamics in Cycling
12:13 The Role of Power Meters in Cycling Performance
15:01 Training Techniques and the Shift to Power Metrics
17:58 Transitioning from Cycling to Media and Writing
20:50 The Cultural Landscape of Cycling in the UK
24:13 Technical Innovations and Personal Experiments in Aerodynamics
27:01 The Impact of Power Meters on Training and Performance
32:51 The Power of Training Less
34:15 Evolution of Cycling Performance
38:30 Nutrition: The Game Changer
39:47 Diverse Training Approaches
42:31 The Professionalism of Cyclists
48:11 The Rise of Women's Cycling
50:33 Aerodynamics: The Key to Speed
56:06 The Impact of Equipment on Performance
01:05:08 Balancing Power and Aerodynamics in Cycling
01:07:05 The Evolution of Rider Trust in Aerodynamics
01:10:55 The Impact of Wind Tunnels on Cycling Performance
01:12:21 Challenges of Wind Tunnel Testing and Real-World Validation
01:20:26 The Role of CFD in Cycling Aerodynamics
01:25:31 Regulatory Challenges in Cycling Technology
01:31:08 The Future of Cycling: Balancing Technology and Tradition
Keywords
cycling, aerodynamics, Dr. Hutch, power meters, training techniques, cycling culture, performance metrics, cycling history, competitive cycling, cycling media, cycling, training, nutrition, performance, aerodynamics, women's cycling, professional cycling, power meter, skin suits, coaching, cycling, aerodynamics, wind tunnels, biomechanics, CFD, technology, performance, regulations, rider trust, power

In this episode, Neil interviews Professor Max Welling, one of the foremost experts in Machine Learning about AI4Science: the use of machine learning and AI to solve challenges in various scientific disciplines. They discuss and debate between data-driven and physics-driven approaches, the potential for foundational models, the importance of open sourcing models and data, the challenges of data sharing in science, and the ethical considerations of releasing powerful models. The conversation covers the role of academia, industry, and startups in driving innovation, with a focus on the field of AI. Professor Welling discusses the advantages and limitations of each sector and shares his experience in academia, big tech companies, and startups. The conversation then shifts to Professor Wellings new company; CuspAI, which focuses on material discovery for carbon capture using metal organic frameworks and machine learning. Prof. Welling provides insights into the potential applications of this technology and the importance of addressing sustainability challenges. The conversation concludes with a discussion on career advice and the future of AI for science.
Links
CuspAI : https://www.cusp.ai
University website: https://staff.fnwi.uva.nl/m.welling/
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8200InoAAAAJ&hl=en
AI4Science NeurIPS 2023 workshop: https://neurips.cc/virtual/2023/workshop/66548
AI4Science NeurIPS 2022 workshop: https://nips.cc/virtual/2022/workshop/50019
Aurora paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.13063
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Neil Ashton Podcast
00:39 Guest Introduction: Professor Max Welling
11:12 Data-Driven vs. Physics-Driven Approaches in Machine Learning for Science
17:00 Foundational models for science
23:08 Discussion around Open-Sourcing Models and Data
29:26 Ethical Considerations in Releasing Powerful Models for Public Use
33:14 Collaboration and Shared Resources in Addressing Global Challenges
34:07 The Role of Academia, Industry, and Startups
43:27 Material Discovery for Carbon Capture
52:02 Career Advice for Early-stage Researchers
01:01:07 The Future of AI for Science and Sustainability
Keywords
AI for science, machine learning, data-driven approaches, physics-driven approaches, foundational models, open sourcing, data sharing, ethical considerations, blockchain technology, academia, industry, startups, AI, material discovery, carbon capture, metal organic frameworks, machine learning, sustainability, career advice, future of AI for science

In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, we celebrate the life and contributions of Professor Antony Jameson, a pioneer in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The conversation explores his early influences, academic journey, and significant contributions to aerodynamics and engineering. Professor Jameson shares insights from his career in both academia and industry, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped his work in CFD and transonic flow. Prof. Jameson discusses his journey through the complexities of numerical methods for fluid flow, his transition from industry to academia, the development of influential flow codes, and the evolution of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). He reflects on the challenges of teaching, the impact of his work on the aerospace industry, and the commercialization of CFD technologies. In this conversation, he shares his journey from academia to industry, discussing the challenges and successes he faced in the field of aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics. He reflects on the importance of innovation, the impact of industry experience on academic research, and offers valuable advice for aspiring professionals in aeronautics. The discussion also touches on the evolution of computational power and the role of machine learning in the field.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics and Professor Jameson
05:02 Professor Jameson's Early Life and Influences
20:00 Academic Journey and Contributions to Aerodynamics
34:50 Career in Industry and Transition to Academia
48:52 Pivotal Moments in Computational Fluid Dynamics
50:19 Navigating Numerical Methods for Fluid Flow
57:02 Transitioning to Academia and Teaching Challenges
01:06:25 Developing Flow Codes FLO & SYN and Their Impact
01:12:21 The Evolution of Computational Fluid Dynamics
01:19:10 Commercialization and the Future of CFD
01:30:34 Journey to Success: From Code to Commercialization
01:37:02 Innovations in Aerodynamics: Control Theory and Design
01:43:06 The Impact of Industry Experience on Academic Research
01:51:24 The Evolution of Computational Power in Aerodynamics
02:01:29 Advice for Aspiring Aeronautics Professionals
Summary of key work:
(see http://aero-comlab.stanford.edu/jameson/publication_list.html for the publication number)
Th first work that had a strong impact on the aircraft industry was Flo22. The numerical algorithm used in Flo22 is analyzed in detail in Publication 31, Iterative solution of transonic flows.
The next work that had a worldwide impact was the JST scheme in 1981. The AIAA Paper 81-1259 (publication 67) has more than 6000 citations on Google Scholar. Prof. Jameson gave two other presentations a few months earlier which describe the numerical method in more detail. These are publications 63 and 65. More recently he gave a history of the JST scheme and its further development in publication 456, which also gives a detailed discussion of the multigrid scheme which was first described in publication 78.
The Airplane Code described in AIAA Paper 86-0103 (publication 104) was the first code that could solve the Euler equations for a complete aircraft, the culmination of 15 years of his efforts to calculate transonic flows for progressively more complex configurations and with more complete mathematical models. It was never published as a journal article. The design of algorithms for unstructured grids is comprehensively discussed in his book (publication 500).
He proposed the idea of using control theory for aerodynamic shape optimization in 1988 in publication 127, and its further development for transonic flows modeled by the RANS equations is described publications 222 and 229. Its most striking application was the aerodynamic design of the Gulfstream G650 in 2006, when he performed the calculations with Syn107 on a server in his garage.