High-quality R&D without barriers or bureaucracy.

Spatial Chaos is an engineering consultancy based in Liverpool, United Kingdom. We are specialists in the analysis of thermo-fluids problems, through the combined approach of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods and robust experimental validation. Spatial Chaos was founded with a singular goal: to remove the barriers between high-quality thermo-fluids research and our industrial partners.

  • Data Driven – Simulations are validated. Not “believed” in.
  • Open-source Approach – CFD without the license costs.

  • Cloud-based – Universal availability of computational resources.

  • Facilitate – Develop your own in-house CFD department with our training.
  • Validation – Facilities to design and manufacture the test rigs.

Plan. Setup. Analyse. Validate. The full CFD modelling process.

Our unique combination of highly-specialised skills is normally found within academia. As such, the full modelling process is only accessible to clients through projects partnered with academic institutions. Outside of academia, many companies discover that they are provided with only part of the process, burdening them with the most important stage: validation. We can provide your company with a complete solution: high-quality numerical analysis, validated through bespoke experimental investigations, in a single package tailored to your specific needs.

Meet Our Team

Please find some information below on a few key contacts at Spatial Chaos.

Dr James Wharton
Dr James WhartonDirector
Dr James Wharton is a thermo-fluids engineering consultant at Spatial Chaos Ltd. James has 10 years of experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD): practised in both commercial and open-source codes, with a particular interest in OpenFOAM. He has a MEng degree in mechanical engineering as well as a PhD, studied in the area of CFD simulation and experimentation of micro-textured surfaces for possible surface drag reduction in turbulent boundary layers (by passive flow control type mechanisms). Other notable research projects include: a cross-collaboration with Jilin University on noise reduction of aerofoils, through bio-inspired designs and an International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) funded project developing a new software library for modelling the hydrodynamic behaviour of various vessels. In the early stages of his PhD, James took an interest in high performance computing (HPC) and has since developed several significant HPC resources for both the University and Spatial Chaos. As well as James’ knowledge and expertise surrounding simulation, he also has a large variety of practical engineering skills, allowing him to fabricate, machine and assemble equipment that will allow for validation of the modelling strategies.

“...the computer models are very good at solving equations of fluid dynamics but very bad at describing the real world. The real world is full things like clouds and vegetations and soil and dust which the models describe very poorly”

Freeman Dyson

Data Driven

Simulations are validated. Not "believed" in.

Open Source

CFD without the license costs.

Facilitate

Develop your own in-house CFD department with our training.

Validation

 Facilities to design and manufacture the test rigs.

High-quality R&D without barriers or bureaucracy.