We’ve seen the uses of computational fluid dynamics in aerospace design, but scientists at Sheffield Hallam University have found less serious application by designing a computer game that realistically models the flow of water around a virtual duck.
Using the university’s Thinking Water technique, the water ripples and reflects light in exactly the way it would in real life, while a mother duck, guided by the player, attempts to free her offspring from bubbles and lead them safely home. Super Rub-A-Dub soon be available on Sony’s newly launched download site.
‘Our Thinking Water technology is one such programme which offers a highly efficient means of simulating fluid flow,’ says Professor Chris Care, who headed the group. ‘It’s a technology which has already been used in work with major companies such as BNFL and Rolls Royce, but we started to think about other ways in which it could have an impact.’