Dr Prakash enjoys applying fluid dynamics in different areas, from animation and geophysics to mining and aerospace.

Dr Mahesh Prakash: a dynamic approach to fluids

Dr Mahesh Prakash is playing an important role in developing super-realistic animations using maths, like making sure computer-generated waves in movies look natural.

• 9 June 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Current activities
• Background 
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr Mahesh Prakash is part of a team of mathematicians and engineers doing research in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in CSIRO. This team are regarded as world-leaders in discrete element modelling (DEM) and smooth particle hydronyamics (SPH) – branches of maths that are used to simulate and predict the movement of fluids.

His particular areas of focus include:

• digital content generation for fluid special effects in movies and games
• geophysical flows, such as:
  • dam collapses
  • tsunamis
  • volcanic lava flow.

Background

Dr Prakash joined CSIRO in August 2000 as a Research Scientist.

Prior to this he was studying chemical engineering in India when he became interested in fluid dynamics. Applying this to animation was something that Dr Prakash never anticipated.

His CSIRO team’s work on industrial applications has proved to be a good background for creating better animation techniques for fluids. Now Dr Prakash and his team solve fluid dynamics problems with a Korean research organisation and they plan that production houses will use the solutions to create realistic animations.

Dr Prakash enjoys applying fluid dynamics in different areas. He is exposed to a range of industries from animation and geophysics to mining and aerospace.

Academic qualifications

Dr Prakash has been awarded

• a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical Engineering from University of Mumbai, India, 1997
• a Doctor of Philosophy in Thermo-Fluids Engineering involving Computational and Experimental Fluid Mechanics from Victoria University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2000.

Achievements

Dr Prakash has published over 12 technical or client papers and 23 refereed conference papers.

Dr Prakash was awarded 2005 Cast Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Commercialisation Award for Re-melt Ingot Casting Project.

In 2006, he was a Member of the Organising Committee for the 5th International Conference on CFD in the Minerals and Process Industries, Melbourne.

As part of a CSIRO team, Dr Prakash recently visited Korean universities, science institutes and corporations to identify collaboration and partnering opportunities. This aligns strongly with efforts to strengthen linkages with Australia's regional neighbours through the Australian Government's Endeavour Program [external link].

Learn about research into Modelling floods, dam breaks, tsunamis and other geophysical events.