Personal statement

Abel is working as Research Associate at the University Strathclyde on the development of a novel wave energy converter based on hydrodynamic lift forces (LiftWEC). His focus lies on the hydroelastic and structural analysis of LiftWEC working with Prof Feargal Brennan and Dr Weichao Shi at the University of Strathclyde and with partners Queen’s University Belfast, Hamburg University of Technology, Maynooth University, INNOSEA, Aalborg University, University College Cork, LHEEA Centrale Nantes, Julia F. Chozas Consulting Engineer and WavEC. Previously Abel worked as Research Associate at the University of Edinburgh with Voilab (Vortex Interaction Collaboratory) on the fluid dynamics of morphing blades for tidal turbines. As part of his appointment Abel developed a morphing blade prototype for load alleviation and an oscillating membrane for flow reattachment in tidal turbines. He also performed a state-of-the-art analytical code study for Nova Innovation to demonstrate the load alleviation capabilities of a morphing blade concept. Abel obtained his PhD in the winter of 2019 at the University of Edinburgh. His thesis aimed to extend the understanding of the vortex flows of downwind sails, in particular the role of the leading-edge vortex (LEV) in downwind sailing. His Viva examiners were Prof. Holger Babinsky from University of Cambridge and Prof. William Crowther from University of Manchester. Prior to his PhD, Abel was awarded a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems in the University of Edinburgh, UK in 2014, with his thesis titled "On the progress on the design of a self-damping Flettner rotor". Abel worked several years as a wireline field engineer in Schlumberger and got his BSc in Mechatronics engineering in Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico with a semester abroad in Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany. Abel’s current research interests are marine energy, hydrodynamics, vortex flows, fluid-structure interactions and flow control.