Augusto Maidana Silanes

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Biography

Since August 2023, I have transitioned into a new role within the Fusion Team at the Department of Computational Applications for Science and Engineering (CASE) at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). In this position, I am actively contributing to the Fusion Team's objectives, focusing on high-performance computing (HPC) and the development of physical models for fusion applications.

Previously, from 2021, I served as a researcher in the Propulsion Technologies Group at CASE, specializing in the modeling and simulation of aerothermal systems for propulsion and energy applications. My work involved the development of physical models and numerical methods for multiphysics applications, emphasizing turbulent flows, combustion, multiphase flows, heat transfer, computational aerodynamics, and HPC.

Throughout my career, I have participated in over 20 national and international R&D projects, collaborating with key organizations and companies in renewable energy, including "Alstom Wind" and "Iberdrola IC." Notably, I contributed to the development of a coupling interface between the FAST tool (NREL) and the SeaFEM offshore behavior model (CIMNE) for studying the aerodynamic and fluid-structure interaction of offshore wind turbines. My expertise extends to developing codes for structural safety studies, nonlinear behavior analysis, and shape optimization in structural and fluid dynamic problems.

My educational background includes a degree in civil engineering, a master's degree in Numerical Methods in Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, specializing in stabilizing the Navier-Stokes equations for free surface, non-hydrostatic, and incompressible flows using the finite element method. Proficient in Python, Fortran, C, and C++, I bring experience in parallel computing in HPC environments.

I have collaborated with esteemed entities such as the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), the International Coastal Resources Research Center (CIIRC), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Catalan Water Agency (ACA). Additionally, I have shared my knowledge by teaching Fluid Mechanics courses at the Nautical Faculty of UPC.

In my current role with the Fusion Team, I am committed to achieving the outlined objectives, leveraging my diverse skill set and extensive research experience to contribute meaningfully to the advancements in fusion research and HPC at BSC.

Education

  • 2007 | UniversitatPolitècnica de Catalunya

PhD. in Civil Engineering

  • 1996 | UniversitatPolitècnica de Catalunya

Msc. In Numerical methods in Eng.

  • 1993 | Universidad Nacional del Nordeste

Bachelor of Science in Civil Eng.

Research

Elevate the HPC Fusion code development, emphasizing advancements in meshes, scripts, and input/output procedures. Aligned with the overarching objective of cultivating and sustaining pertinent technologies, this initiative not only ensures the quality achievement of project objectives but also contributes to exploring novel frontiers within the dynamic landscape of high-performance computing. This strategic alignment underscores a commitment to fostering collaboration, initiating and developing research avenues, and fortifying the group's position as a leading force in the fusion, HPC, and BSC realms, all while maintaining a focus on economic sustainability and the creation of high-tech spin-offs.

Main Research Lines

  • Multiphysics
  • Computational fluid mechanics - Incompressible flows
  • High Performance Computational Mechanics
  • Numerical Methods
  • Nuclear Fusion

Main Research Lines

Memberships

  • Sociedad Española de Métodos Numéricos en Ingeniería (SEMNI). Barcelona, Cataluña, España.
  • International Association of Engineering Geology IAEG/AIGL. Paris, Francia.
  • Asociació n Argentina de Geología Aplicada a la Ingeniería (ASAGAI). Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Asociació de los Seminarios de Grandes Obras Hidroeléctricas (ASGOH). Resistencia, Argentina.

Qualifications

2023 - Today | Established Researcher

Fusion Group / CASE / BSC-CNS

Contribute to the Fusion Team's goals, focusing on high performance computing (HPC) and the development of physical models for fusion applications.

 

2021 - 2023 | Established Researcher

Propulsion Technologies Group / CASE / BSC-CNS

Development and applications of a digital model of the chemical reactors for blood products of the pharmaceutical company Grifols.

 

2020 – 2021 | CPO & Director of Products, Marketing & Sales

Gestion Solutions / Barcelona / España

Responsible for the development and commercialization of a management system for construction and rehabilitation companies (ERP) in Catalonia.

 

2018 – 2019 | Founder & Director of Products

Eventzum / Barcelona / España

Founder and responsible for the development of an application for the management and sale of sporting and cultural events.

 

2014 – 2018 | Principal Researcher of the Torres Quevedo Program

Quantech ATZ SA / Barcelona / España

Development and transfer of knowledge for high performance numerical simulation applications for the automotive industry. Mold filling and metal stamping.

 

2007 – 2014 | Scientific Research Staff in Fluid Mechanics & Marine Eng.

CIMNE / Barcelona / España

Development and management of software projects for Marine, Environmental and Naval Engineering. Offshore wind turbines, marine energy devices. Tsunamis and floods.

 

1996 – 2007 | Pre-doctoral Researcher in Maritime Engineering.

LIM ‐ CIIRC / Barcelona / España

Development and consulting of coastal, port and oceanographic engineering projects. Simulation of sea currents and free surface. Oil spills and other pollutants.

Teaching

2017 – 2018 | Associate Professor, Fluid Mechanics

BSc. in Marine Engineer, and Systems and Naval Technologies Engineer Diploma

Faculty of Nautical Barcelona UPC / Barcelona / Spain

2017 – 2018 | Associate Professor, Ship propellers facilities

BSc. in Naval Engineering and Maritime Navigation Diploma Faculty of Nautical Barcelona.

UPC / Barcelona / Spain

2007 – 2014 | Associate Professor, Numerical Models

BSc. in Engineering in Information Systems programme National Technological University.

UTN / Resistencia / Argentina

2007 – 2014 | Associate Professor, Models and Simulation I & II

BSc. in Engineering in Information Systems programme National Technological University.

UTN / Resistencia / Argentina

1989 – 1997 | Associate Professor, Geotechnic

BSc. in the Civil Engineering programme North East National University.

UNNE / Resistencia / Argentina

Publications

1- "Integrative environmental assessment of the impact of Pasaia harbour activities on the Oiartzun estuary". Journal of Marine Systems 109-110 (Supplement), S252-S260(2013). DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2011.06.002.

2- "Simulation of Water Circulation over a Model of a Submarine Canyon by Using FIC-FEM Numerical Model". Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal & Ocean Engineering 138(1), 21-29 (2012). DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000105.

3- "A fully 3D finite element model for non-hydrostatic coastal flows with a free-surface". International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 60(6), 611-631 (2009). DOI: 10.1002/fld.1904.

4- "Hydrodynamics in the Huelva estuary. Tidal model calibration using field data". Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal & Ocean Engineering 133(5), 313-323 (2007). DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-950X(2007)133:5(313).

5- "Desarrollo de un modelo numérico 3D en elementos finitos para las ecuaciones de Navier-Stokes. Aplicaciones oceanográficas". PhD Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2007). Website.

6- "Finite element modelling of the thermal outflow of three power plants in Huelva Estuary". Advances in Engineering Software 38(6), 379-385 (2007). DOI: 10.1016/j.advengsoft.2006.09.010.

7- "Feasibility and usefulness of steady-state calculations of the mean circulation in the vicinity of the Ebro mouth. Model tests against field data". Continental Shelf Research 22(2), 229-245 (2002). DOI: 10.1016/S0278-4343(01)00055-3.

8- "Numerical Simulation of Hypothetical Oil Spills at the Casablanca Oil Platform, NW Mediterranean", Chapter. Water Pollution V. Modelling, Measuring and Prediction, 1999. pp. 547-556. WIT Press, Southampton, Boston. ISBN 978-94-011-3694-5. Chapter.

9- "Modelado numérico de la circulació n inducida por el viento en el área del Delta del Ebro". Master’s Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (1996).