Each year the prize is awarded to the best paper published in JFM with a first author who either has not yet received their PhD or has received their PhD within two years of the paper being published.

"For an extremely thorough, accurate and well written paper investigating optimal barriers to dissipate wave energy and reduce sediment erosion in coastal zones, a timely and relevant problem. Using laboratory experiments and coupling Navier-Stokes simulations with a multi-objective optimization algorithm, the optimal configuration of a system of cylinders to minimize enstrophy and maximize drag was found. This methodology has the potential to have a large impact on designing optimal coastal defence infrastructures to mitigate the environmental changes we face."

This year’s winning paper, together with 10 runner-ups, (selected from nearly 400 eligible papers published in JFM) showcase the breadth and depth of excellent research being undertaken by students and early post-doctoral researchers in fluid mechanics.

"The winning entries show the outstanding quality of research being published in JFM by researchers early in their careers: I look forward to reading what they do next!"

 Colm-cille Caulfield Editor: Journal of Fluid Mechanics 

View all articles by the winner and runners-up in this collection 

Runners-up deserving honourable mention

Vilda K. Markeviciute

Markeviciute, V. K., & Kerswell, R. R. (2023). Improved assessment of the statistical stability of turbulent flows using extended Orr–Sommerfeld stability analysis. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 955, A1. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2022.963

Alice Pelosse

Pelosse, A., Guazzelli, É., & Roché, M. (2023). Probing dissipation in spreading drops with granular suspensions. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 955, A7. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2022.1034                         

Vishnu Kumar Sahu

Sahu, V. K., Kumawat, S., Agrawal, S., & Tripathi, A. (2023). Particle force-based density segregation theory for multi-component granular mixtures in a periodic chute flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 956, A8. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.7

Cristian Ricardo Constante-Amores

Constante-Amores, C. R., Kahouadji, L., Shin, S., Chergui, J., Juric, D., Castrejón-Pita, J. R., Matar O.K., Castrejón-Pita, A. A. (2023). Impact of droplets onto surfactant-laden thin liquid films. J. Fluid Mech, 961, A8. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.224

Sébastien Gomé

Gomé, S., Tuckerman, L. S., & Barkley, D. (2023). Patterns in transitional shear turbulence. Part 2. Emergence and optimal wavelength. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 964, A17. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.289

Jiarong Wu

Wu, J., Popinet, S., & Deike, L. (2023). Breaking wave field statistics with a multi-layer model. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 968, A12. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.522

Xinyu Mao

Mao, X., Bischofberger, I., & Hosoi, A. E. (2023). Particle focusing in a wavy channel. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 968, A25. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.558

Hanxun Yao

Yao, H., Zaki, T. A., & Meneveau, C. (2023). Entropy and fluctuation relations in isotropic turbulence. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 973, R6. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.808

Ray Chang

Chang, R., & Santiago, J. G. (2023). Taylor dispersion in arbitrarily shaped axisymmetric channels. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 976, A30. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.504

Jin Ge

Ge, J., Rolland, J., & Vassilicos, J. C. (2023). The production of uncertainty in three-dimensional Navier–Stokes turbulence. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 977, A17. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.967