Dr Methma Rajamuni

Dr Methma Rajamuni

Research Associate

Education

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Monash University
  • Master of Science by Research in Applied Mathematics, Texas Tech University, USA
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sir Lanka

 

Career History

  • Research Fellow: School of Science (2023-Present) & School of Engineering and Information Technology (2020-2023), UNSW Canberra
  • Research Fellow: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University (2019-2020)
  • Teaching Associate: the University of Melbourne (2019-2020), Monash University (2015-2020), Texas Tech University, Texas, USA (2011-2014)
  • Lecturer: the University of Peradeniya, Department of Production Engineering, Sri Lanka (2009-2011)

 

 

UNSW Canberra
School of Science

I am a passionate research scientist, applied mathematician, and mechanical engineer dedicated to exploring dynamic systems. Specifically, I focus on investigating intricate fluid-structure interactions and the phenomena of ember storms during bushfires. My passion lies in utilizing nature-inspired insights to drive technological advancements for the betterment of our world. A key aspect of my research involves strengthening computational technologies to tackle the inherent complexity of various problems. Through high-fidelity computer simulations, I aim to enhance our comprehension of natural phenomena and find solutions to real-world challenges.

My research is primarily centred around computational fluid dynamics. I have been strengthening the fundamental understanding of the flow-induced vibration phenomenon of bluff solid bodies from various perspectives. I have developed several efficient and stable numerical techniques to study complex fluid-structure interactions. I am investigating the dynamics of ember storms during bushfires and exploring sustainable methods to mitigate ember hazards in the wildland-urban interface. My expertise spans a wide range of areas, including:

  • Utilizing computational fluid dynamics to investigate dynamical systems, including fluid-structure interactions, flow-induced vibrations, wake unsteadiness, bluff-body aerodynamics, birds and insect flight dynamics, ember storms, acoustics, and environmental flows.
  • Development of advanced numerical techniques to study complex dynamical systems, with experience in utilizing immersed boundary methods, lattice Boltzmann methods, spectral element methods, and finite volume methods.
  • Research interests in systems and control, optimization, robotics, and bio-mathematics.

 

I am an enthusiastic tertiary lecturer who is passionate about integrating my research into teaching materials. With teaching experience in mechanical and aerospace engineering, as well as mathematics and statistics subjects, I strive to provide engaging and relevant education that bridges theory and practical applications. My goal is to inspire and empower students by connecting classroom concepts with real-world applications, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the subjects I teach.

Scholarships of $35,000 (AUD) are available for PhD applicants who achieved H1 (High Distinction) in their undergraduate programme and/or have completed a Masters by Research. If you are interested, please contact me at m.rajamuni@unsw.edu.au.

Phone
+61 2 5114 5370
Location
Room G36, Building 26, Canberra Campus
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Wang L; Liu Z; Rajamuni M, 2023, 'Recent progress of lattice Boltzmann method and its applications in fluid-structure interaction', Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 237, pp. 2461 - 2484, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/09544062221077583
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rajamuni MM; Hourigan K; Thompson MC, 2021, 'Vortex-induced vibration of a sphere close to or piercing a free surface', Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 929, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.873
    Journal articles | 2020
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2020, 'Efficient FSI solvers for multiple-degrees-of-freedom flow-induced vibration of a rigid body', Computers and Fluids, 196, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2019.104340
    Journal articles | 2019
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2019, 'Vortex dynamics and vibration modes of a tethered sphere', Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 885, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2019.928
    Journal articles | 2019
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2019, 'Vortex-induced vibration of elastically-mounted spheres: A comparison of the response of three degrees of freedom and one degree of freedom systems', Journal of Fluids and Structures, 89, pp. 142 - 155, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2019.02.005
    Journal articles | 2018
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2018, 'Transverse flow-induced vibrations of a sphere', Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 837, pp. 931 - 966, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2017.881
    Journal articles | 2018
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2018, 'Vortex-induced vibration of a transversely rotating sphere', Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 847, pp. 786 - 820, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2018.309
  • Conference Papers | 2022
    Rajamuni M; Liu Z; Tian F; Lai J; Young J; Ravi S, 2022, 'An immersed boundaryregularised Lattice Boltzmann Method for acoustic simulations of FSI problems', in The 23rd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Sydney, presented at The 23rd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Sydney, 04 December 2022 - 08 December 2022, https://afmc2022.eng.sydney.edu.au/
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Rajamuni MM; Thompson MC; Hourigan K, 2020, 'Vortex-Induced Vibration of a Sphere Close to or Piercing a Free Surface', in 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, AFMC 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.14264/33fbb44
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Rajamuni MM; Aulisa E; Ghosh BK, 2014, 'Optimal control problems in binocular vision', in IFAC Proceedings Volumes (IFAC-PapersOnline), pp. 5283 - 5289, http://dx.doi.org/10.3182/20140824-6-za-1003.02644

  • In 2023, as the sole Chief Investigator (CI), I was awarded the competitive NCI Adaptor Allocation Grant, amounting to 250 KSU equivalent to $12K annual income, for the project titled "Effects of near-surface turbulence on ember storms in cleared areas near the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)".
  • In 2023, I received seed funding of $27K from UNSW Canberra for the project "A joint problem of robust and resilient maintenance and maintenance workforce planning under uncertainty: A unifying framework for the ADF."
  • In 2015, I was awarded both the Monash Graduate Scholarship and the Faculty of Engineering Postgraduate Research Scholarship from Monash University to pursue my doctoral studies.
  • In 2011, I was awarded a scholarship for the MPhil/PhD programme under the higher education for the twenty-first-century project by the Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka.

 

  • 2018, Monash Engineering Women's Leadership Award to attend the Future Women Leaders Conference at Monash University.
  • 2014, 1st Place in Annula Graduate Student Poster Competition from Multi-Disciplinary Category 1
  • 2010, Manamperi (Engineering) Award for the Best Engineering Undergraduate Project of Sri Lanka 2008

My Research Supervision

  1. Enhancement of the subcritical flow boiling heat transfer in microchannel by the flow-induced vibrations - Mohammed Ibrahim

My Teaching

  • ZEIT4007 Rotorcraft Engineering
  • ZEIT2503 Fluid Mechanics
  • ZPEM1301 Mathematics 1A / ZPEM1303 Engineering Mathematics 1A