Opportunity brief
Event Description: FlowDynamics (Thermal-Flow)
FlowDynamics (Thermal-Flow) is a practical thermal-fluid simulation challenge focused on Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) in an open forced-air duct. Participants will model a cooling channel containing an aluminum heat sink using Altair simulation software. The challenge focuses on core Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), heat transfer, and thermal management principles. The objective is to achieve an optimal thermal-hydraulic balance by maximizing heat dissipation while minimizing aerodynamic drag and pressure drop.
Date: 1/11/2026
Time: To be announced soon
Event Format & Structure
Phase 1: Geometry & Simulation Setup
- Create a solid baseplate with straight rectangular cooling fins inside a fluid flow channel using native primitive extrusion tools in Altair.
- Assign material properties using Altair's native materials library:
- Aluminum for the solid heat sink.
- Air for the fluid domain.
- Apply the specified boundary conditions:
- Uniform heat flux at the baseplate.
- Forced inlet velocity/airflow.
- Steady-state forced convection.
Phase 2: Simulation, Post-Processing & Optimization
- Run steady-state Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulations.
- Analyze the following parameters:
- Thermal distribution and temperature profiles.
- Velocity vectors and airflow behavior.
- Static pressure drop across the duct.
- Submit the simulation setup file, solved model, and a concise technical report highlighting design trade-offs and performance metrics.
Eligibility & Team Rules
- Target Audience: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma students from engineering disciplines, including Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, and related fields.
- Team Size: 1–3 members per team.
- Inter-College Participation: Permitted.
- Software: Simulations must be conducted strictly using the Altair simulation suite, such as Altair SimLab, HyperWorks, or AcuSolve.
Rules & Guidelines
- Geometry Constraints: Heat sinks must be modeled using native primitive extrusions with straight rectangular fins. Arbitrary complex or imported CAD geometries are strictly prohibited.
- Boundary Conditions: The specified heat flux, air properties, and aluminum properties must be applied uniformly as defined in the problem statement.
- Software Compliance: Only native materials and toolsets within the Altair ecosystem are permitted for modeling and solving.
- Originality: Participants must submit their model setup files (.hm, .slb, or other native software formats) along with the report.
- Plagiarism: Duplicate or plagiarized simulation setups will result in immediate disqualification.
- Final Authority: Decisions made by the evaluation panel and organizing team will be final and binding.
Evaluation & Scoring Criteria
- Thermal Management – 40%: Reduction of peak baseplate temperature under steady-state heat flux.
- Hydraulic Efficiency – 35%: Minimization of static pressure drop (ΔP) across the duct.
- Figure of Merit / Performance Index – 15%: Ratio of total heat transfer rate to pumping power consumed.
- Mesh Quality & Report Clarity – 10%: Mesh independence verification, convergence quality, and clarity of simulation contours and technical presentation.
Rewards & Perks
- Cash Prizes & Trophies: Exciting cash awards and trophies for top-performing teams.
- Certificates of Excellence: Awarded to top-performing teams.
- Industry-Relevant Experience: Hands-on exposure to industry-standard Altair simulation tools and thermal-fluid simulation workflows.
- Certificates of Participation: Awarded to all teams with valid and complete submissions.