Dubrovnik, Croatia
September 2025
Turbulence Modelling
The 15th International Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements (ETMM15) was successfully held from 22–24 September. Returning to the city where the series was first launched in 1990 under the leadership of Prof. Wolfgang Rodi, the symposium marked 35 years of continuous progress in turbulence research.
ETMM15 brought together 195 academics, industrial researchers, and early-career scientists from 26 countries. True to the tradition of the ETMM series, the conference provided a focused platform for translating fundamental discoveries in turbulence into practical models and experimental systems with direct relevance to engineering design, energy systems, aeronautics, civil infrastructure, and environmental flows.
Program
Over three days, participants engaged in a rich program of keynote lectures, technical sessions, and mini symposia that reflected the breadth and vitality of contemporary turbulence research.
The symposium opened on Monday, 22 September, with welcoming remarks from Stefan Hickel and Maria Vittoria Salvetti. Two keynote lectures set the stage: Bharath Ganapathisubramani (University of Southampton) addressed “Horrible histories: Pressure-gradient history effects on turbulent boundary layers”, while Cetin Kiris (Volcano Platforms Inc.) spoke on “Utilization of Large Eddy Simulations in Industrial Research & Development”. These sessions framed the themes of non-equilibrium turbulence and industrial applications that continued throughout the day in parallel sessions on uncertainty quantification, turbomachinery flows, reactive near-wall turbulence, and combustion. The day concluded with a Welcome Reception, fostering new collaborations and reunions.
On Tuesday, 23 September, Dennice Gayme (Johns Hopkins University) presented her keynote lecture “A coherent structure-based model of wall-bounded shear flows”, followed by Filippo Coletti (ETH Zürich) with “The turbulence along and beneath a free surface”. The day featured parallel sessions dedicated to machine learning, LES modelling, flow control, high-speed turbulence, and multiphase flows, highlighting the increasing role of data-driven and hybrid methods. In the evening, participants enjoyed the traditional Gala Dinner and cultural tour of Dubrovnik, which offered a perfect setting for informal scientific discussions and community building.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is more than just stone walls and postcard views—it’s a living stage of history and everyday life. Walking through its narrow limestone streets, the delegates passed laundry hanging above Renaissance palaces, tiny bars carved into the city walls where people sip rakija with the sea crashing below, and markets that have been trading for centuries. The mix of Venetian, Gothic, and Baroque architecture tells of its wealthy past, but the scars of the 1990s siege, still visible on some rooftops, add a raw honesty that makes the city feel authentic rather than polished.
The symposium concluded on Wednesday, 24 September, with two keynote lectures that addressed the future of turbulence modelling. Roberto Verzicco (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”) gave his keynote lecture on “Thermally driven turbulence with phase change”. Rene Pecnik (TU Delft) followed with “Turbulence modeling for compressible flows and heat transfer”. Technical sessions that day showcased advances in wall-bounded turbulence, multiphase DNS, high-fidelity industrial simulations, and rough-wall flow modelling, providing a fitting end to an intensive and productive meeting. The conference was formally closed by Maria Vittoria Salvetti and Stefan Hickel, looking ahead to ETMM16 in 2027.
Acknowledgements
The Organizing Committee, led by Stefan Hickel (TU Delft) and Maria Vittoria Salvetti (University of Pisa), together with the international Scientific Committee, wishes to extend their gratitude to all keynote speakers, session chairs, presenters, and participants whose contributions made ETMM15 a memorable scientific event.
The symposium was held under the auspices of ERCOFTAC (European Research Community on Flow, Turbulence and Combustion), whose mission of bridging academic and industrial research continues to guide the ETMM series.
The organizers warmly thank the sponsors Zenotech, DANTEC Dynamics, and Ansys for their generous support. Zenotech is recognized for its expertise in high-performance computing and cloud-based engineering solutions, empowering innovation across various industries. DANTEC Dynamics brings advanced simulation and analysis capabilities, helping engineers tackle complex dynamic problems with precision and efficiency. Ansys, a global leader in engineering simulation, continues to shape the future with powerful tools that enable groundbreaking research and product development. Together, their contributions not only strengthen this conference but also highlight the vital role of technology and innovation in advancing science and practice.
EasyConferences, with its registration and submission platforms and conference management services, allowed participants to focus fully on scientific exchange while enjoying the historic and cultural setting of Dubrovnik.
ETMM15 not only celebrated the progress made over the past years but also set the stage for future developments in turbulence research, reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of the international scientific community.
