CFD, FEA & AI in Engineering Past, Present & Future of Simulation | Episode 20

In this episode of the Prof. Mahesh Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Dipankar Choudhury, Lead Chief Technologists, Ansys, to explore the fascinating journey of computational simulation—from the origins of CFD and FEA to the cutting-edge role of AI in engineering today.

How did computational fluid dynamics (CFD) grow from a niche research tool into the backbone of modern engineering design? In this video, we dive deep into the evolution of engineering simulation—from the early days of Fluent and finite element analysis, to how industries like aerospace, power, and manufacturing adopted CFD.

Key Takeaways:
How CFD and finite element analysis (FEA) shaped modern engineering design.
The early days of Fluent and the business model that changed simulation software.
Why engineers with strong fundamentals adapt better to CFD than pure coders.
Industry adoption stories from GE, ABB, and the power & aerospace sectors.
Key challenges in simulation: accuracy, error bars, and building user confidence.
The role of software engineers vs. computer scientists in R&D at Ansys.
How AI and LLMs are being cautiously integrated into engineering workflows.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or industry professional, this episode reveals the past, present, and future of engineering simulation from one of the field’s most respected leaders.
Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes so that you can make informed career decisions. Leave your questions in the comments and suggestions for topics you would like to see covered in later episodes.

This podcast is brought to you by the Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras -
https://ge.iitm.ac.in/

All the references made in the podcast can be found here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a...

Chapters:
[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:03:21] Starting Out in Fluid Dynamics at Minnesota
[00:06:03] CFD and the Rise of Computational Engineering
[00:08:25] Pioneers of CFD and Industry’s Role
[00:10:26] Early Days of Fluent & CFD Business Models
[00:17:19] The Complexity Behind Today’s AI
[00:22:51] Who Should Use AI Tools?
[00:25:10] Future of Physics-Based Simulation Tools
[00:29:50] Pathways to Becoming a Simulation User Engineer
[00:34:18] Who Makes a Better CFD User?
[00:38:52] The Core Algorithm Developers
[00:41:47] Hiring Trends in Simulation R&D
[00:43:48] Simulations in Life Sciences: The Next Frontier
[00:50:35] Can We Simulate Society?
[00:57:39] Preparing for Careers in Social System Simulations
[01:01:34] Closing Thoughts

Courses:
NPTEL
Computational Fluid Dynamics (IIT Kharagpur) - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Foundation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (IIT Madras) - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics (IIT Kanpur) - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Computational Fluid Dynamics (IIT Madras) - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Introduction to CFD - IIT Kharagpur - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Fluid Mechanics - IIT Guwahati - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Computational Science - IIT Kanpur - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Structural Engineering - IIT Kharagpur - https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc...
Python - https://onlinecourses.swayam2.ac.in/c...

Coursera
Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics - https://www.coursera.org/learn/applie...
Fluid Mechanics Courses - https://www.coursera.org/courses?quer...
Computational Science - https://www.coursera.org/courses?quer...
Structural Engineering - https://www.coursera.org/courses?quer...

edX
Fluid mechanics - https://www.edx.org/learn/fluid-mecha...
A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulations - https://www.edx.org/learn/engineering...
Advanced Fluid Mechanics 1: Fundamentals - https://www.edx.org/learn/fluid-mecha...
Advanced Fluid Mechanics 2: The Navier-Stokes Equations for Viscous Flows - https://www.edx.org/learn/fluid-mecha...
MITx: Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering - https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-pr...
MITx: Elements of Structures - https://www.edx.org/learn/engineering...
PurdueX: Stability and Design of Structural Members - https://www.edx.org/learn/engineering...