For more than a decade, Prof. Marco Evangelos Biancolini from University of Rome Tor Vergata and Prof. Ignazio Maria Viola from University of Edinburgh have shared a common scientific vision: advancing nautical engineering through high-fidelity numerical simulation and translating cutting-edge research into practical tools for the marine industry.
Leading, respectively, the rbfLAB and Voilab research groups, and serving on the Editorial Board of The Journal of Sailing Technology, the two scholars have established a highly productive collaboration that has significantly contributed to the evolution of computational methods for sailing applications.
Between 2014 and 2018, their joint work resulted in six scientific publications focused on sail aerodynamics, shape optimization, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and performance prediction methodologies. Among these contributions, the paper “Sails Trim Optimisation Using CFD and RBF Mesh Morphing” has become a landmark reference in the field.
The study demonstrated how the integration of RBF Mesh Morphing with CFD simulations enables efficient sail trim optimization by eliminating the need for repeated remeshing procedures, substantially reducing computational costs while preserving the accuracy of aerodynamic predictions. The methodology also incorporated Design of Experiments (DOE) and metamodeling techniques, making it possible to explore large design spaces and identify optimal sail configurations more effectively.
Subsequent research further expanded these concepts by coupling CFD analyses with Velocity Prediction Programs (VPPs) and applying advanced simulation workflows to rigid wing sails and realistic sailing scenarios. Over time, these investigations evolved from isolated aerodynamic analyses into integrated digital design environments capable of linking geometry parameterization, fluid dynamics, and vessel performance prediction.
For RBF Morph, this scientific journey carries particular significance. Founded by Marco Evangelos Biancolini, the company was established on the belief that advanced simulation technologies should serve as a bridge between academic research and industrial innovation. The developments achieved by rbfLAB and Voilab clearly demonstrate how mesh morphing and simulation-driven design methodologies can accelerate engineering processes, reduce development costs, and support better-informed design decisions.
RBF Morph has always maintained a strong commitment to the scientific community by supporting academic research initiatives and providing its technology free of charge to numerous research groups worldwide. This ongoing exchange between academia and industry continues to foster innovation and enable new applications of simulation-driven engineering.
The collaborative work of Prof. Biancolini, Prof. Viola, and their teams stands as an outstanding example of how fundamental research can generate practical impact, advancing both the state of the art in sailing science and the development of next-generation engineering tools for the marine industry.