Many similarities observed in different chaotic, multi-scale flows have led scientists to group these under the single heading 'turbulence', but there is, as yet, little theoretical basis for proposing turbulence as some universal natural state. Turbulence occurs in industrial processes as well as in the oceans, the atmosphere of the Earth and other planets and in many astrophysical contexts.
Turbulence occurs also in biological contexts, e.g. in humans, animals and even some plants.
In all cases prediction is a necessary element in the engineering design calculations. However, CFD codes are necessarily based on turbulence models whose parameters have to be deduced from measurements. The generality of these parameters is questionable, and the mathematical aspects of the models have been inadequately explored. The practical importance of turbulence led the Royal Academy of Engineering to launch an Initiative on Turbulence, the most important outcome of which was the definition and agreement of this Newton Institute Research Programme. The main aim of the programme is to bring together the mathematics and engineering communities involved in the area to address the many problems and to map out future strategy.