Basic and applied understanding to problems that are multiphase, multiscale, multiphysics, and large-scale using advanced computational, data-driven, and experimental methods.
Desalination by reverse osmosis and membrane distillation
In desalination applications, membrane transport (water separation efficiency) is highly coupled with flow dynamics. We develop high-fidelity simulations to shed light on the fundamentals of the separation phenomenon and provide advanced module designs that accelerate the new membrane design process and enhance the overall system performance. The computational tools developed here has a broader impact as it can be extended to many other transport problems.
Turbulent mixing of reacting fluids with disparate viscosity
Mixing limited reactions (fast) ubiquitously appears in many problems and particularly mixing of fluids with disparate viscosity poses additional challenges due to the existent effect of viscosity gradients in mixing dynamics. We develop simultaneous PIV and PLIF measurements to diagnose the flow and concentration fields, in-line spectroscopic methods to measure reaction progress, and high-fidelity computational methods validated by the experimental measurements for three-dimensional accurate description of the complex dynamics. The methods develop both provide a fundamental understanding of mixing and reaction dynamics in a complex sense and enable the accelerated design of efficient systems with the power of accurate computational tools.
Rheology of tertiary multiphase flows with disparate density
Rheology and segregation dynamics of high-density foam that is comprised of microbubbles, surfactant, and fibers in water are critical in many applications such as multiphase forming of paper products to significantly reduce the thermal demand for evaporative drying. We develop high-fidelity computational tools and experimental methods such as pipe rheometer, hot-film anemometer, microCT scan, particle/bubble tracking, high-speed imaging to diagnose the complex physics that is inherently multiphase, multiscale, and multiphysics. The characterization of non-Newtonian dynamics of high-density foam will enable the commercialization of energy-efficient multiphase forming technology and pave the way for use of high-density aqueous foam as a transport media instead of water in many other applications.
Computational and experimental biological flows
Biological flows and especially blood flow, which is a multiphase, multiscale, multiphysics complex system, is the key element in the numerous physiological functions. Among them, notably, many forms of thrombosis (blood clot formation) are highly coupled and mechanobiological phenomena that adversely affect cardiovascular health. We develop particle-level computational methods for multiphase, multiscale, and multiphysics simulations of the blood flow and utilize experimental methods (microfluidics, spinning disc microscopy) to fundamentally understand the mechanobiology of individual blood elements (platelets, von Willebrand Factor which is a long multimeric protein). The methods and understanding developed here, in addition to thrombosis, can be exploited to advance many fields such as organ-on-a-chip, targeted drug delivery, mechanic/hybrid heart valve design.
Scientific machine learning of large-scale, complex, and dynamic systems
The complex and coupled nature of the problems that we strive for the solution, poses many challenges to computational, experimental, and theoretical methods. To this end, we integrate scientific machine learning methods into the process for advanced identification, modeling, and interpretations of the problems. The cutting-edge outcomes we aim for here will not only provide progressive solutions to the existing problem but also leap the field in determining and solving interdisciplinary problems with societal impact.
Although I briefly describe the projects that I am working on, I would be happy to share many details, get into insightful discussions, and establish high-impact intellectual collaborations for further advancements.