Programme: PhD Student in Control Method for Hypersonic Bounday Layer Transition, Year Three
Previous education: MEng and BEng at Tohoku University, Japan | Research exchange, RWTH Aachen University, Germany and Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France
Previous employment: R&D in Heat & Fluid Division, IHI Corporation
Favourite places in London: St James’ Park and Wimbledon
Imperial and Previous Experience
Why did you choose to study a PhD within the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial?
My future career goal is the development of sustainable hypersonic vehicles. The Department of Aeronautics at Imperial is one of the best environments for world-leading hypersonic and supersonic wind tunnels with high-speed experts.
Did you have any work experience prior to your PhD? If so, how did this prepare you for your PhD?
I worked at IHI Corp, Japan, for two and a half years in the research division of developing jet engines. It took a lot of broad work to prepare my PhD application, including studying for IELTS. I did all this alongside my full-time job, so time management was crucial as well as a passion for the subject, which allowed me to achieve success.
Study and Research
Are you able to tell us a little bit about your research?
My research focuses on the development of a flow control method in hypersonic flow for future sustainable hypersonic vehicles. Hypersonic vehicles can fly over five times faster than the speed of sound. But at such high speeds, the extreme heat can severely damage the vehicle, creating a major obstacle to sustainable hypersonic cruising. To address this challenge, I have focused on developing a flow control method that adjusts the boundary layer conditions around the vehicle, allowing it to withstand the intense heat and travel safely.
To succeed in sustainable hypersonic cruising, I have focused on the flow control method around the vehicle to adjust boundary layer conditions to suppress the heat.
What aspect of your PhD has been the most rewarding so far?
There are two main rewards I’d like to highlight. Firstly, I can set the project goal, which means the results of the research are up to me. I appreciated such an environment which no limitation of trial and error and with the support of both knowledge and material resources. When I obtain results, I have the chance to present and discuss my research at conferences and publish papers.
The second is that I thoroughly enjoy the environment of Imperial as I have many opportunities to meet other PhD students to not only brush up on research knowledge but also to socialise with.
What’s next?
How have the Aeronautics and wider-Imperial community helped you in achieving your future goals?
Imperial’s environment has exceedingly helped me in many different ways. The first is that the Department’s technicians have been a huge in manufacturing my test rigs. They always help prototype design regarding practicality, feasibility and manufacturability. Such considerations are essential to my ability to be able to develop hypersonic vehicles in a profession one day. I have also learnt different perspectives and approaches to research from other academic professors beyond my research group.
There is a wealth of training available at Imperial. I attended an academic English writing course that really helped in getting my academic writing to a position for research publications.
The research environment, with various different groups in one Department, has been immensely helpful in making friends since I didn’t know anyone when I joined Imperial. As a result, I come to the College knowing I enjoy both my research and social connections.
Inspiration
Who inspires you and why?
My two best friends continue to inspire me. One of my friends expanded my perspective on developing the idea of studying abroad when I was pursuing my undergraduate degree. Their encouragement led me to spending a year in Germany on a research project. Before that experience, I could only ever imagine staying in Japan for the rest of my life. Experiencing new people, social systems, food and language, broadened my horizons and the reality that I could go anywhere.
Another of my friends, a good colleague from a previous job, encouraged me to pursue a PhD in the UK by sharing his experience of doing the same. He realised that studying for a PhD in another country is a great adventure and he always inspired me with his stories of success and overcoming hurdles. I really admired how he described his work-life balance whilst pursuing a PhD.
London
What might a typical weekend in London look like for a PhD student?
A typical weekend might start with friends at the College bar on a Friday and then some social activities across the rest of the weekend – there’s always lots going on in London! I really enjoy going to a local park or playing tennis, followed by some relaxation at home. Being in London is advantageous as you’re in the heart of one of the best cities in the world – there really is something for everyone.
What have been the benefits and challenges of moving to London?
London is fantastic for meeting international individuals in a global environment. Opportunities to network and socialise are endless, from meeting new people at College to local community groups and sports groups to coffee shops. As a tennis enthusiast, being a part of Wimbledon hysteria in the summer is great.
Finding reasonable accommodation in London is by no means easy. I was lucky to find suitable accommodation via online resources. I’d highly suggest careful consideration before landing on a final choice and exhausting all the different avenues of looking for somewhere to stay in London.