Youtube Video

Summary published at 10/14/2024

Welcome Dr. Ali Tahiti

๐Ÿ‘‹ Dr. Ali Tahiti is a full-time assistant professor in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering. He holds a Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clemson University.

๐Ÿ”ฅ His expertise includes data mathematical modeling of large-scale complex systems, particularly in fluid and fire dynamics. He is currently a fire and fluid dynamicist and co-principal investigator at the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC).

Wildfire Phenomenology

๐ŸŒฒ Dr. Tahiti discussed the state of wildfires in the US and the importance of understanding wildfire behavior. He emphasized that while the number of wildfires may fluctuate, the impact on communities has significantly increased since 2015.

๐Ÿ“Š The data shows that while the number of wildfires may be decreasing, the costs and damages associated with them are rising due to increased community vulnerability and climate change effects.

Wildfire Spread Mechanisms

๐Ÿ”ฅ There are three major mechanisms of wildfire spread:

  • Convection and conduction - Direct contact with flames.
  • Radiation - Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.
  • Solid mass transport - Spread through firebrand showers or ember attacks.

Research and Modeling

๐Ÿ”ฌ Dr. Tahiti's research involves understanding the transition from a single ignition point to large fire weather systems. He uses mathematical modeling and experimental setups to study particle trajectories and their impact on fire spread.

๐Ÿงช He highlighted the importance of AI and deep learning in improving wildfire prediction models, aiming to enhance the accuracy and speed of forecasts.

Impact of Wildfires

๐ŸŒ Wildfires not only affect the environment but also have significant ecological impacts. Dr. Tahiti's research includes studying the smoke plume and its effects on air quality and ecology.

Student Involvement

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“ Dr. Tahiti encourages student involvement in research at the WIRC, offering opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to engage in meaningful projects.

Conclusion

๐Ÿ™ Thank you, Dr. Tahiti, for your insightful presentation on wildfires and their implications. Students are encouraged to reach out for further engagement and research opportunities.

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