Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods combine features in finite element methods(weak formulation, finite dimensional solution and test function spaces) and in finite volume methods (numerical fluxes, nonlinear limiters) and are particularly suitable for simulating convection dominated problems, such as linear and nonlinear waves including shock waves. In this article we will give a brief survey of DG methods, emphasizing their applications in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). We will discuss essential ingredients and properties of DG methods, and will also give a few examples of recent developments of DG methods which have facilitated their applications in CFD.

Silicon anode materials have very high theoretical specific capacity, hence become promising replacement for anode material of lithium-ion batteries. However, during charging and discharging, silicon anode materials suffer big volume deformation that may cause destruction and failure of the active material. This seriously affects the electrochemical cycle performance, and restricts wide applications in the field of lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, we introduce silicon anode materials of different structure form, and the degradation mechanism of the electrochemical properties during charging and discharging. We summarize the latest international research progress in mechanical properties evolution of charging and discharging process, the related theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and prospects for research emphasis of the mechanical failure in silicon anode materials.

Small celestial body exploration is one of the key areas of deep space exploration in the future. The orbital dynamics and control problem near small celestial bodies is crucial in such explorations, and urgent to be treated. This problem involves the modeling of dynamics environment around an irregularshaped small celestial body, and the orbital dynamics mechanism near the small celestial body. In this paper, we survey the gravitational field modeling of irregular-shaped small celestial body, natural orbital dynamics and control, and controlled orbital dynamics near small celestial body. We introduce state-ofthe-art and trends for the development of orbital dynamics and control near small celestial bodies. The challenges and difficulties encountered are analyzed. Finally, we discuss the prospects for the development direction and key issues of orbital dynamics and control for Chinese future mission for exploring small celestial bodies.

Great progress has been achieved in the Chinese wind energy industry. By the end of 2012, according to statistics of CWEA, 75 GW capacity of wind power has been generated in China that pushes the country to the top place in the global wind power market. Nowadays, the technology trend focuses on the offshore wind power and the larger multi-megawatt wind turbine. It brings about several engineering challenges and new scientific problems. In this review, we focus on the advances in fluid dynamics researches related to wind energy engineering, such as the wind properties in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), micrositing at complex terrain, wake flow behind wind turbine, airfoil design for large blade, aerodynamics for wind turbine, aero-elastic interaction, and offshore wind power technology. We also discuss the limitations of the widely-applicated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. Finally, we point out the weakness of Chinese fundamental researches on winder energy engineering, and provide some suggestions.

After the long and strenuous efforts covering more than 50 years and the tortuous experiences, feasibility of the scramjet concept has finally been proven. In this paper, the main factors influencing the technical maturity of the scramjet engine are briefly analysed. A matter of utmost concern for this new type of air-breathing engine is the net thrust. The production of engine thrust using supersonic combustion encountered a number of practical requirements which were often found to contradict each other. Several flight tests showed that the net engine thrust was still not as good as expected. The acceleration capability and mode transition of scramjet with liquid hydrocarbon fuels (kerosene) operating at flight Mach numbers about 5 has become the bottleneck preventing scramjet engine from continuing development. Research showed that the use of endothermic hydrocarbon fuels is not only necessary for engine cooling but also a critical measure for improving engine thrust and performance. Changes of thermo-physical-chemical characteristics of endothermic fuels during heat absorption make additional contributions to the combustion performance which is essential to the scramjet net thrust. Currently, the technology of experimental simulation and measurement is still lagging behind the needs. The complete duplication or true similarity of atmospheric flight environment, engine size and test duration remains impossible. Therefore, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become an important tool besides experiment. However, numerical simulation of supersonic combustion encountered challenges which come from both turbulence and chemical kinetics as well as their interaction. It will inevitably affect the proper assessment of the engine performance. Several frontiers of research in this developing field are pointed out: mode transition in the dual-mode scramjet, active cooling by endothermic hydrocarbon fuel with catalytic cracking coupled with supersonic combustion, combustion stability, experimental simulation and development of test facilities, measurements of the inner flow-field characteristics and engine performance, turbulence modeling, kerosene surrogate fuels and reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms, and so on. Also, directions for future research efforts are proposed and suggestions for the next 5-10 years are given.

The space industry in China is eager to have the advanced technology of large space structures composed of trusses cables and meshes. Such a large space structure, deployed on orbit, may serve as the large antenna for different space missions. The important scientific basis of the technology is the nonlinear dynamics modeling, analysis and control of these space structures during their deployment and service. This review article surveys the advances in relevant researches and proposes three open problems as follows. The first is the flexible multibody dynamics for the deployment of such a space structure, especially the nonlinear dynamics modeling and analysis for the contacts and wraps of mesh under microgravity, the internal impacts in clearance joints, and the coupling between structure deployment and spacecraft attitude. The second is the dynamics analysis of the space structures after deployment and during service, especially the complicated nonlinear vibrations of the flexible structure with numerous backlash joints under periodic thermal impacts. The third is the dynamic control of the space structures after deployment and during service, especially the under-actuated and lower-powered control for structure vibrations and waves.

Gravitational wave detection is now more than a mere verification of Einstein’s relativity. It opens a brand-new window to explore gravitational wave astronomy, therefore attracts increasing attention of scientists from all over the world. Focusing on space laser interferometer gravitational wave detection, we give a comprehensive review on its scientific objectives, recent status and key technologies. With arm-length being of million kilometers, a space detector works within a frequency band from 0.1mHz to10Hz. Its possible sources include compact binary star system, extreme mass ratio inspiral, intermediate mass ratio inspiral, super mass black hole merge, etc. The success of space gravitational wave detection mission requires a pico-meter precision laser interferometer, and a state-of-the-art drag- free control system. Taking European space gravitational wave detector as an example, we analyze space laser interferometer and drag-free control system in detail. The trend and perspective of Chinese space gravitational wave detection mission are also discussed.

In this paper, we review practices and progresses in the study of pollution dispersion in urban atmosphere. We introduce the inherent features of urban environmental flow, as well as the application of a modern computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method, namely, the large eddy simulation for the study of urban atmospheric environment. We describe the mathematical model, governing equations, subgrid scale model, well-posed initial-boundary conditions and numerical method. In this paper, we focus on a coupling scheme between meso- and micro-scale motions, and a combined underlying surface model for the complex urban canopy, which satisfies the resolution requirements with relatively lower computing load. Practical simulations are presented and analyzed, including the statistical estimation of reliability and the turbulent characteristics, etc. Finally, further improvements needed for numerical methods of urban environment simulations are pointed out, and a number of key scientific problems are raised for numerical studies on urban environmental flows and pollution dispersion.

Textile structural composite is kind of composite which the reinforcement is textile fabric (includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional) and the matrix is resin. Textile structural composites have been widely used in all areas; the composites often are used under impact loading in the practical application due to their low-cost and high quality structures such as high strength to weight ratio and high resistance to corrosion and abrasion. Research for the impact behaviors of textile structural composites can help the development and optimization design for textile structural composites. In this review, the development, styles, impact tension behaviors and the damage mechanisms of textile structural composites have been introduced. The future development of impact tension behaviors of textile structural composites are also introduced in this review.

Zhe-Min Zheng, as a famous mechanician, is the founder and pioneer of explosion mechanics in China. He won the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award of China in 2012. This paper reviews the abundant research activities of Zhe-Min Zheng over the past 60 years, especially his outstanding academic contributions in the areas of explosion processing, underground nuclear explosion, blasting push-out silt, armor penetration by shaped charge jet, coal and gas outburst, natural gas hydrate mining, hydro-elastic dynamics, material mechanical behavior, etc. These achievements are marked by distinct character of engineering science, that is, they are motivated from the national significant demands, and reached by refining the critical physical factors and innovative theories from complex issues, and providing useful guide to practice. The scientific contributions and academic thoughts of Zhe-Min Zheng have great practical significance and reference value for the development of mechanics.