Multiphase Flow & Microfluidics (MFM) Laboratory
About the MFM Laboratory
The Multiphase Flow & Microfluidics (MFM) Laboratory at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Dharwad, is dedicated to advancing the fundamental understanding of multiphase transport phenomena through the integration of experiments, computational modeling, and data-driven approaches. Our research spans droplet and bubble microfluidics, complex multiphase flows, transport in porous media, slurry transport, microreactor technologies, battery thermal management, fuel cells, and interfacial transport phenomena - combining high-fidelity simulations with precision-controlled experiments to probe the physics of fluid interfaces, mixing, heat and mass transfer, particle dynamics, and reactive multiphase systems across scales.
We develop predictive computational models and microfluidic platforms for chemical processing, sustainable energy, critical mineral recovery, battery technologies, fuel cells, and environmental engineering, while integrating machine learning and AI with physics-based models to accelerate the design, optimization, and control of complex multiphase systems.
The lab's research direction is built on the diverse experience of its Principal Investigator, Dr. Soma Sekhar Goud Sontti, spanning academia and internationally renowned institutions - from industrial-scale metallurgical and energy reactors to microscale interfacial phenomena and microfluidic systems.
Today, the laboratory combines expertise in multiphase flow physics, CFD, microfluidics, machine learning, and advanced process modeling to address challenging problems in chemical engineering. We welcome students, researchers, and collaborators to explore our research and join us in advancing the frontiers of multiphase flow, microfluidics, and intelligent process engineering.
Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti
Team Members
PhD Research Scholars in the MFM Laboratory
Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti
Assistant Professor · Dept. of Chemical Engineering · IIT Dharwad
Mr. Manohar Jammula
Ms. Laxmi Priya Swain
Multiphase Flow Research
Advancing science at the intersection of CFD, microfluidics, and complex fluid dynamics.
Research Areas
Computational & experimental multiphase flow science across scales
Microfluidics & Droplet Dynamics
CFD modelling of droplet and bubble formation using Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) and Coupled Level-Set/VOF (CLSVOF) interface-capturing methods. We study breakup, coalescence and compound droplet dynamics in co-flow and flow-focusing microfluidic devices, guiding the design of lab-on-chip systems for controlled, high-throughput droplet generation.
Non-Newtonian Fluid Flows
Shear-thinning and power-law fluids in confined geometries. We are interested in how the apparent viscosity of complex fluids such as CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) solutions varies with shear rate, and how this rheology governs droplet, bubble and slurry behaviour in microfluidic and pipeline systems.
Oil Sands Slurry Transport
3D CFD of hydrotransport pipelines using the Eulerian–Eulerian multiphase approach, coupled with a Population Balance Model (PBM) to track bitumen droplet aggregation and breakage. Our simulations help explain particle and bitumen residue distribution, settling behaviour, and flow regimes in industrial-scale horizontal pipes carrying oil sands tailings.
Gas–Solid & Slurry Flows
Fluidization, coal gasification, and CFD-PBM coupled frameworks. We simulate gas-solid fluidized beds to understand bubble formation, particle mixing and segregation, linking bed hydrodynamics to reactor-scale performance in gasification and combustion systems.
Advanced Flow Reactors
CFD investigation of Advanced Flow Reactors (AFR) with corrugated, heart-shaped channel geometries designed for enhanced mixing and heat transfer at high throughput. We characterize flow regimes, residence time distribution and mixing efficiency to support the scale-up of continuous-flow chemical processes.
Droplet Mixing & Micromixing
Numerical study of internal mixing dynamics within compound and core-shell droplets in microfluidic channels. We resolve the recirculating flow patterns that drive micromixing inside a moving droplet, informing the design of droplet-based microreactors for rapid, controlled chemical and biological reactions.
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, book chapters and cover page recognitions.
Featured Publications
Laboratory Facilities
State-of-the-art experimental and computational equipment supporting cutting-edge research at the MFM Laboratory.
Funded & Supported by
Research Projects
Sponsored research projects carried out at the MFM Laboratory, IIT Dharwad.
Design & Development using Multi-Physics FE Simulation and Analysis of NMRL Developed ICCP Hanging Anode
- Multi-physics finite element simulation of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems
- Design and structural analysis of NMRL-developed hanging anode configurations
- Funded by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Numerical Insights on Controlled Double Emulsion Droplets Formation in Miniature Channels
- Computational investigation of double emulsion droplet formation dynamics in miniature channels
- Parametric study on flow conditions and geometrical effects on droplet size and control
- Internally funded by IIT Dharwad Seed Grant - Project Completed
News & Updates
Recent achievements, publications, conference highlights, awards and announcements from the MFM Laboratory.
Paper in Chemical Engineering Science
Numerical investigation on water flushing pipeline for oil sand slurry hydrotransport. M. Golchin, S. Chen, S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti, P. Nikrityuk & X. Zhang. (Vol. 337, 124588, 2026). Collaboration with University of Alberta, Canada.
View PublicationLab receives Phantom KT1240 High-Speed Camera
The MFM Laboratory has been equipped with a Phantom KT1240 colour high-speed camera capable of 500,000 fps - enabling real-time droplet and bubble imaging in microfluidic experiments.
View Facilities
Lab receives CADworks3D ProFluidics 285D 3D Printer
The MFM Laboratory has acquired the CADworks3D ProFluidics 285D - a high-resolution resin 3D printer enabling rapid fabrication of custom microfluidic chips and lab-on-chip devices.
View FacilitiesBook Chapter: CFD Investigation on Microdroplet Formation and Dynamics in a Non-Newtonian Fluid Using a Co-Flow Microfluidic Device
M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti. In: Microfluidic Devices: Advances in Research and Applications, Chapter 1. Nova Science Publishers (2026). ISBN: 979-8-90134-056-1.
View ChapterPaper in Separation and Purification Technology
Experimental and numerical study of microbubble-enhanced separation of aged microplastics in a slurry flow. K. Zhou, S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti & X. Zhang. Vol. 359, 130298 (2025).
View Publication
Paper in Chemical Engineering Science
Numerical investigation on water flushing pipeline for oil sand slurry hydrotransport. M. Golchin, S. Chen, S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti, P. Nikrityuk & X. Zhang. (Vol. 324, 123285, 2025). Collaboration with University of Alberta, Canada.
View PublicationPaper in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Review on microbubble-based separation technologies for microplastics removal from water (IF: 7.4, Q1).
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Paper in Physics of Fluids on non-Newtonian slurry flows
Numerical investigation on solids settling in a non-Newtonian slurry flow inside a horizontal flume (Q1, IF: 4.60). Collaboration with University of Alberta, Canada.
Read MoreDr. Sontti's first CFD-PBM study published in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
"Numerical Insights from a Population Balance Model into the Distribution of Bitumen Residues in Industrial Horizontal Pipes During the Hydrotransport of Oil Sands Tailings" - S.G. Sontti & X. Zhang, accepted November 5, 2023 (I&EC Research, Vol. 63(1), pp. 691–705, 2024).
View PublicationOpen Positions
Opportunities for motivated researchers at all levels to join the MFM Laboratory at IIT Dharwad.
We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated students and researchers who are passionate about computational and experimental fluid mechanics.
Prospective applicants should have a strong background in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related disciplines.
PhD Positions
Full-time doctoral research · IIT Dharwad
PhD openings across sustainable separation, advanced materials, and battery & energy systems.
Metal extraction & Rare Earth Element (REE) recovery, battery recycling & critical-material recovery, microplastic separation & removal, plasma-assisted treatment of industrial wastewater, micro- & nanobubble-based separation and slurry treatment, and bio-based & sustainable separation processes.
Advanced functional materials, nanoparticles & supraparticles, continuous-flow & microreactor technologies, biodiesel & sustainable fuel synthesis, and microfluidic platforms for materials synthesis & process intensification.
Fuel cells & electrochemical energy conversion, battery thermal management & heat transfer, battery electrochemical & multiphysics modeling, and coupled electrochemical–thermal analysis of batteries & fuel cells.
Postdoctoral Positions
Research fellowship opportunities
- CFD of multiphase flow systems (OpenFOAM / ANSYS Fluent)
- Machine learning applied to fluid mechanics
- Experimental microfluidics and lab-on-chip systems
- PINNs for Multiphase flow problems
Project & Intern Students
B.Tech / M.Tech thesis and internships
- Short-term research projects (3–6 months)
- Summer internship positions (May–July)
- B.Tech thesis supervision
- M.Tech thesis supervision
Submit Your Application
Prefer to apply online? Fill in the form below instead of emailing — it goes straight to Dr. Sontti’s inbox.
Fields marked * are required. Once submitted, your application is emailed directly to Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti (somasekhar.sonti@iitdh.ac.in).
CFD Gallery
High-fidelity simulations, interface tracking, velocity fields and animation captures from multiphase flow and microfluidics research.
3D Eulerian-Eulerian Simulation of gas-solid flows in a Fluidized bed reactor.
Droplet formation in T-junction micro-channel.
Velocity field visualization during Taylor bubble formation.
3D numerical simulation of droplet passive breakup in a microchannel.
Taylor Bubble formation in circular co-flow micro-channel.
Droplet passive breakup in a micro-channel T-junction.
Droplet Formation in a Circular T-Junction Microchannel.
Droplet formation in a serpentine microchannel.
CLSVOF Study on Droplet coalescence at microchannel intersection.
Droplet formation and liquid film thickness visualization in square microchannel.
Memories
Academic interactions, research visits, sports, and cherished moments of the MFM community.
Connect with the
MFM Laboratory
Whether you are a researcher, industry partner, prospective student or collaborator - we are always open to meaningful connections and scientific exchange.
Find Us Online
Follow Dr. Sontti's research, publications and academic footprint across platforms.
