21^st Century COE Program, International COE Fluid Dynamics

Experience Note

Luis Felipe Gonzalez

The University of Sydney, Australia

 

I visited Sendai from January 20^th till March 29^th 2006. During that time I worked at the Institute of Fluid Science, Professor Obayashi Laboratory. The purpose of my internship was to learn and develop several meta-model/approximation techniques in combination with Evolutionary Algorithms for Multi-objective and Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation in Aeronautics.

I studied different types of meta-models and learn on developed some mathematical test cases on DACE/ Kriging techniques.  I coupled these techniques with a Hierarchical Asynchronous Parallel Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm (HAPEA) and performed test cases related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) wing design optimization.

Being in Japan at Tohoku University has been a wonderful experience, not only because I learn on different academic aspects but also gain broad personal and cultural knowledge as well.

Professor Obayashi and Laboratory members arranged several opportunities for social and academic activities. These included a visit to JAXA in Tokyo, a visit to Sendai Airport, visit to Matsushima and attendance to some of the presentations at University

Sendai is very nice and its surroundings are beautiful, I traveled to some of the towns nearby.  I went to the Oyster Festival in Matshushima –one of the top three destinations in Japan-   on the first weekend in February.

After a very fruitful visit and presentation to JAXA in Tokyo I stayed for the weekend with Kumano-san and his family. They were very nice to me and showed me the beauty of Japanese family and their way of living. We went around different places in Tokyo and visited ‘strange’ places such as Akihabara and beautiful places such as Asakusa.

I also had the opportunity to present my work and interact with colleagues in three occasions.  First, I made a general presentation of my work and research at the COE meeting, then at JAXA where I visited and presented my work to Dr Chiba and his colleagues and I made a presentation of my the research and  accomplishments while being at Tohoku University.

I was very glad to have the opportunity to work and live in a very interesting environment. The interaction with colleagues and experience has contributed significantly to my professional and personal growth. I was always amazed and surprised with the places and kindness and friendly people of Japan; I thank  to Professor Shigeru Obayashi, Ms. Nao Konohara, the lab members and  21st Century COE of Flow Dynamics that sponsored my internship.