Caroline originally graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2016 with a BA in Physical Natural Sciences (and a strong sense that she really should have just studied maths!)
Caroline originally graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2016 with a BA in Physical Natural Sciences (and a strong sense that she really should have just studied maths!). She completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics with the Open University whilst working as an editor for an educational publishing company, before returning to full time study, graduating from the University of Birmingham with an MSc in Applied Mathematics in 2021. At Birmingham she particularly enjoyed courses in mathematical biology, and also developed an interest in fluid mechanics, modelling the non-Newtonian dynamics of molten chocolate in the curtain-coating process for her dissertation project.
In general, she enjoys combining techniques from differential equations, applied analysis and numerical simulation to gain insight into real-world systems through mathematical modelling. Most recently, Caroline worked as an analyst in the Civil Service, but missed the challenge and stimulation of academia, and so is excited to be returning to complete her PhD with SAMBa. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys baking, running and playing board games, and is trying to learn to sew her own clothes.
Project title: Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of the Dynamics of Sessile Droplets
Supervisor(s): Stephen Wilson, Jennifer Tweedy
Project description:
The evaporation of sessile droplets is a challenging and industrially relevant problem that has been the subject of intensive multidisciplinary research. Caroline’s project aims to formulate and analyse mathematical models for three related aspects of the dynamics of sessile droplets with phase change, specifically the effect of confinement of the atmosphere on the evaporation of sessile droplets, the evaporation of large flat droplets, and, if time permits, dropwise condensation.
In this work, we will use methods from fluid dynamics, ordinary and partial differential equations and asymptotics. In particular, we plan to harness the power of complex variable methods to analyse the evaporating ridge problem in confined geometries, and lubrication (thin film) approaches to study the evolution of and flow within large flat droplets.
Students joining SAMBa in 2023
