Multiphase Flow & Microfluidics (MFM) Laboratory

Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad

Advancing cutting-edge research in Computational Fluid Dynamics, Multiphase Flow, Microfluidics, Particle Technology, Sustainable Engineering and Emerging Energy Systems.

About the MFM Laboratory

The Multiphase Flow & Microfluidics (MFM) Laboratory at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Dharwad, is led by Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti. We bridge high-fidelity CFD, experimental fluid mechanics, and machine learning to uncover the mechanics of complex fluid systems - translating fundamental physical insights into real-world engineering solutions.

Microfluidics & Droplet Dynamics Multiphase & Non-Newtonian Flows REEs Extraction Slurry Transport Energy Systems Microplastics Separation ML & PINNs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Computational

OpenFOAM · ANSYS Fluent · COMSOL · PINNs · ML Models

Experimental

High-speed imaging · Rheometry · Microfluidics · REEs Extraction · Droplets & Bubbles

Applications

Oil sands · Fuel cells & batteries · REEs recovery · Sustainable separation · Lab-on-chip

Opportunities

PhD · Postdoc · M.Tech thesis · B.Tech internship — View Openings

Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti

Assistant Professor · Department of Chemical Engineering · IIT Dharwad

LinkedIn Google Scholar ORCID ResearchGate Email

Professional Experience

2023 – Present

Assistant Professor

Multiphase Flow & Microfluidics (MFM) Laboratory

Department of Chemical Engineering · IIT Dharwad, India

2021 – 2023

Postdoctoral Fellow

Soft Matter & Interfaces Research Group · Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada

Supervisor: Prof. Xuehua Zhang

2019 – 2020

Postdoctoral Researcher

PEARL — Process Engineering Advanced Research Lab · Dept. of Chemical Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada

Supervisor: Prof. Jamal Chaouki

Academic Background

2014 – 2019

Ph.D. — Chemical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur · Dept. of Chemical Engineering, India

Thesis: CFD Studies on Bubble/Droplet Formation in Microchannels

Advisor: Prof. Arnab Atta · mCFD Lab, IIT Kharagpur

2011 – 2013

M.Tech — Chemical Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India

Thesis: Gas Phase Overall Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient for Absorption of CO₂ into Aqueous Blends of Amines

Advisor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal · Dept. of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati

2007 – 2011

B.Tech — Chemical Engineering

Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

Research Interests

Microfluidics & Droplet Dynamics Multiphase Flow CFD Non-Newtonian Fluid Flows REEs Extraction Slurry Transport Fuel Cells & Batteries Machine Learning · PINNs Process Intensification Microplastics Separation Taylor Bubble Dynamics Double Emulsion Oil Sands Hydrotransport

Scholarships & Travel Grants

2018

Travel Grant — ISCRE-25, Florence, Italy

Best Academic International Conference Travel Grant · IIT Kharagpur, India

International Conference on Chemical Reaction Engineering, May 20–23, 2018. Grant No: Ref: MS/B-1(177)/2014/2715

2017

Travel Grant — AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, USA

International Travel Support (ITS) Scheme · SERB–DST, Government of India

Science and Engineering Research Board, Dept. of Science & Technology. Grant No: ITS/3563/2017-18

2017

Travel Grant — WCCE-10, Barcelona, Spain

Best Academic International Conference Travel Grant · IIT Kharagpur, India

10th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, October 1–5, 2017. Grant No: Ref: MS/B-1(177)/2014/2715

2014–2018

Ph.D Scholarship

MHRD Scholarship · Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India

2011–2013

M.Tech Scholarship

MHRD Scholarship · Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India

Professional Memberships

Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE)

Life Member · ID: LAM-54298

Indian Society for Heat and Mass Transfer (ISHMT)

Life Member · ID: LF-1443

Teaching

Undergraduate Courses

CL 201 Introduction to Transport Phenomena

CL 202 Reaction Engineering

CL 204T Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations

Postgraduate Courses

CL 603T Computational Techniques for Multiphase Flows

Laboratory Courses

CL 201L Chemical Engineering Lab–I (Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics)

CL 212 Chemical Engineering Lab–II (Heat Transfer & Solid Mechanics)

Peer Review Service

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

ACS

ACS Omega

ACS

Energy & Fuels

ACS

Langmuir

ACS

Analytical Chemistry

ACS

Chemical Engineering Research & Design

Elsevier

Separation and Purification Technology

Elsevier

Computational Materials Science

Elsevier

Advanced Powder Technology

Elsevier

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

Elsevier

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Elsevier

Results in Engineering

Elsevier

Chemical Engineering Journal

Elsevier

Chemical Engineering Science

Elsevier

Applied Thermal Engineering

Elsevier

Materials & Design

Elsevier

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Elsevier

Physics of Fluids

AIP

Soft Matter

RSC

The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering

Wiley

Petroleum Science and Technology

Taylor & Francis

Particulate Science and Technology

Taylor & Francis

Institutional & Departmental Activities

Institutional Developmental Activities

Feb 2025 – NowFaculty In-charge of Sports

2024 – NowTechnical Committee Chairman for AnantGanak-HPC

2024 – NowFaculty In-charge of High-Performance Computing (HPC) – CPU & GPU

2024 – NowFaculty Advisor, 2024–2028 Batch, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Dharwad

2026NEET (UG) 2026 – Assignment of Duty for Centre Verification

2026GATE 2026 Examination – Institute Representative (IR) Duty

2025–26Member of the Post-Graduate Academic Progress Evaluation Committee (PGAPEC)

2025Selection Committee Member for Part-Time Coach Positions (Badminton, Table Tennis, Weightlifting/Gym Trainer, Chess)

2024–25Senate Member, IIT Dharwad

2024Member of the IIT Dharwad Convocation Committee and Hospitality Committee

2023Member of the IIT Dharwad Convocation Committee and Contributor to the Convocation Report

2023Internal Review Duty Member for JEE (Advanced) 2023 Exam Conducted by IIT Bombay

Departmental Developmental Activities

2024 – NowDepartment Postgraduate Committee (DPGC) Member

2024 – NowPublic Relations Office – Chemical Engineering Department Faculty Coordinator

Sept 2024 – NowFaculty In-charge of the Chemical Engineering Department Website

2023 – NowDepartment Undergraduate Committee (DUGC) Member

2023 – NowChemical Engineering Department Timetable Coordinator

2023 – 2025Chemical Engineering Department Scholars TA Duty Allotment Coordinator

2025Department member of GATE and Institute degree programs publicity – in-person promotional talks in engineering colleges

2023–24PG Admission Coordinator, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Dharwad

May 2024Chairperson of the M.Tech Thesis Evaluation Committee – Mechanical Engineering Department

May 2024M.Tech Thesis External Examiner and Expert Member – Mechanical Engineering Department

2023Contributor to Model Questions and Syllabus for Junior Technician and JTS Exams

2023Selection Committee Member for Junior Technician Recruitment – Chemical Engineering Department

2023Member of the Scrutiny Committee for JTS & JT Recruitment – Chemistry Department

2023Member of the Scrutiny Committee for JTS & JT Recruitment – Chemical Engineering Department

2023–24Department Postgraduate Committee (DPGC) Member Secretary

Our Group

Team Members

PhD Research Scholars in the MFM Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Head of the MFM Laboratory, IIT Dharwad

Principal Investigator

Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti

Assistant Professor · Dept. of Chemical Engineering · IIT Dharwad

LinkedIn Google Scholar ORCID Email Full Profile

PhD Scholars

Doctoral researchers at the MFM Laboratory

Mr. Manohar Jammula

Ph.D. (Started in 2023-)

M. Tech: Chemical Engineering (2019-2021), National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India

B. Tech: Chemical Engineering (2014-2017), CBIT (Osmania University), Hyderabad, India

Research Area: Microcapsules, Microfluidics, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

ch23dp001@iitdh.ac.in

LinkedIn Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Ms. Laxmi Priya Swain

Ph.D. (Started in 2025-)

M. Tech: Environmental Engineering (2021-2023), Sambalpur University, Odisha, India

M. Sc: Polymer Science (2018-2020), Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

B. Sc: Chemistry (2015-2018), Utkal University, Odisha, India

Research Area: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) extraction, Droplet-based microfluidics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

cl25dp005@iitdh.ac.in

LinkedIn Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Undergraduate Students

B.Tech thesis students at MFM Laboratory

Singhal Gaurav Riteshkumar

B.Tech · Chemical Engineering

IIT Dharwad

Jan 2026 – Apr 2026

Project Interns

Short-term project & summer interns at MFM Laboratory

Mr. Adi Akhil Rao

RGUKT Basar

May – Jul 2026

Mr. Tanishq Borse

VNIT Nagpur

May – Jul 2026

Mr. Arun Kumar

VNIT Nagpur

May – Jul 2026

Mr. Vikas

SVNIT Surat

May – Jul 2026

Mr. Sayan Das

Jadavpur University

May – Jul 2025

Mr. Samrat Sadhukhan

Jadavpur University

May – Jul 2025

Mr. Aayush Sharma

IIT Tirupati

May – Jul 2025

Mr. Athul Akhileshan

NITK Surathkal

May – Jul 2024

Computational & Experimental

Multiphase Flow Research

Advancing science at the intersection of CFD, microfluidics, and complex fluid dynamics.

What we do

Research Areas

Computational & experimental multiphase flow science across scales

💧

Microfluidics & Droplet Dynamics

CFD modelling of droplet/bubble formation using VOF and CLSVOF methods.

🌊

Non-Newtonian Fluid Flows

Shear-thinning and power-law fluids in confined geometries.

🛢️

Oil Sands Slurry Transport

3D CFD of hydrotransport pipelines using Eulerian–Eulerian approach.

🔬

Interfacial Phenomena

Surface tension, wettability, and microscale mixing.

♻️

Microplastics Separation

Microbubble-enhanced separation experimental investigations.

⚗️

Gas–Solid & Slurry Flows

Fluidization, coal gasification, and CFD-PBM coupled frameworks.

                    1.00.50.0
                

Research Output

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, book chapters and cover page recognitions.

26Journal Articles

19Conferences

3Cover Pages

1Editor's Pick

2Book Chapters

612+Citations

Featured Publications

I&EC Research

Chem. Eng. Science

Chem. Eng. Journal

Physics of Fluids

J. Ind. & Eng. Chem.

Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer

Fuel

Sep. Purif. Technology

Can. J. Chem. Eng.

J. Env. Chem. Eng.

Adv. Materials Interfaces

Energy & Fuels

Chem. Prod. & Process Modeling

Recent Articles (2024–2026)

Water flushing in the oil sand slurry hydrotransport pipeline: parametric insights from integrated in-situ measurement and CFD modelling.

S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti*, & X. Zhang •Chemical Engineering Science •Vol. 324(1), pp. 123285 (2026) •Q1 •IF: 4.30 •View Publication

Impacts of flow velocity and microbubbles on water flushing in a horizontal pipeline.

M. Golchin, S. Sharma, Y. Feng, G. Shou, P. Nikrityuk, S. G. Sontti*, & X. Zhang •International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer •Vol. 255(1), pp. 127748 (2026) •Q1 •IF: 5.0 •View Publication

High-throughput controlled droplets generation through a flow-focusing microchannel in shear-thinning fluids.

M. Jammula, & S. G. Sontti* •Physics of Fluids •37(7), pp 072021 (2025) •Q1 •IF: 4.60 •View Publication

Advances in Microbubble-Based Separation Technologies for Microplastics Removal from Water.

Z. Kaiyu, M. Fattahi, S. G. Sontti*, & X. Zhang •Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering •13(3), pp 116499 (2025) •Q1 •IF: 7.4 •View Publication

Numerical analysis of controlled droplet formation surrounded by shear-thinning fluid in a co-flow microfluidic device.

M. Jammula, & S. G. Sontti* •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •64(5), pp 2977-2977 (2025) •Q1 •IF: 4.20 •View Publication

Experimental and Numerical Study of Microbubble-Enhanced Separation of Aged Microplastics in a Slurry Flow.

Z. Kaiyu, S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti, & X. Zhang •Separation and Purification Technology •(2025) •Q1 •IF: 8.10 •View Publication

Numerical investigation on solids settling in a non-Newtonian slurry flow inside a horizontal flume.

S. Sharma, S. G. Sontti*, W. Zhang, P. Nikrityuk, & X. Zhang •Physics of Fluids •36(7) (2024) •Q1 •IF: 4.60 •View Publication

Effects of Coal Particles on Microbubble-Enhanced Bitumen Separation in the Concentrated Slurry Flow of Oil Sands Tailings.

H. Yiyi, M. Golchin, Z. Kaiyu, A. Abraham, S. G. Sontti*, & X. Zhang •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •63 (22), pp 10027-10040 (2024) •Q1 •IF: 4.20 •View Publication

Numerical insights from the 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 •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •63(1), pp 691-705 (2024) •Q1 •IF: 4.32 •View Publication

Insights into the bubble formation dynamics in converging shape microchannels using CLSVOF method.

A. Raize, P. Kumari, S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Chemical Product & Process Modeling (CPPM) •19(2), pp. 179-192 (2024) •Q3 •IF: 1.01 •View Publication

Enhanced accumulation of bitumen residue in a highly concentrated tailings flow by microbubbles from in-situ catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

K. Zhou, S. G. Sontti, J. Zhou, P. Esmaeili, & X. Zhang •Fuel •345, pp 128249 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 8.03 •View Publication

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of three-phase non-Newtonian slurry flows in industrial horizontal pipelines.

M. Sadeghi, S. G. Sontti, E. Zheng, & X. Zhang •Chemical Engineering Science •270, 1185132 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 4.88 •View Publication

Computational fluid dynamics investigation of bitumen residues in oil sands tailings transport in an industrial horizontal pipe.

S. G. Sontti, M. Sadeghi, K. Zhou, E. Zheng, & X. Zhang •Physics of Fluids •35, 013340 (2023) •Q1 •IF: 4.98 •View Publication

Regulation of droplet size and flow regime by geometrical confinement in a microfluidic flow-focusing device.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Physics of Fluids •35, 012010 (2023) •Q1 •IF: 4.98 •View Publication

Asphaltene Precipitation Under Controlled Mixing Conditions in a Microchamber.

J. Meng, C. Kanike, S. G. Sontti, A. Atta, X. Tan, & X. Zhang •Chemical Engineering Journal •451 (4), pp 138873 (2023) •Q1 •IF: 16.74 •View Publication

Microbubble-enhanced bitumen separation from Tailings slurries with high solid contents.

K. Zhou, S. G. Sontti, J. Zhou, P. Esmaeili, & X. Zhang •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •61(47), pp 17327–17341 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 4.32 •View Publication

Review of microscale dynamics of dilution–induced asphaltene precipitation under controlled mixing conditions.

J. Meng, S. G. Sontti, X. Tan, & X. Zhang •Energy & Fuels •36, 23, 13985–13999 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 4.65 •View Publication

Ultrasensitive Surface–Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection by Porous Silver Supraparticles from Self–lubricating Drop Evaporation.

T. S. Dabodiya, S. G. Sontti, Z. Wei, Q. Lu, R. Billete, A. V. Murugan, & X. Zhang •Advanced Materials Interfaces •pp 2201998 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 6.38 •View Publication

Size distribution of primary submicron particles and larger aggregates in solvent-induced asphaltene precipitation in a model oil system.

J. Meng, S. G. Sontti, M. Sadeghi, G. Arends, P. Nikrityuki, X. Tan, & X. Zhang •Fuel •322, pp 124057 (2022) •Q1 •IF: 8.03 •View Publication

CFD simulation of turbulent non-Newtonian slurry flows in horizontal pipelines.

M. Sadeghi, S. Li, E. Zheng, S.G. Sontti, P. Esmaeili, & X. Zhang •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •(2022) •Q1 •IF: 4.32 •View Publication

Numerical insights on controlled droplet formation in a microfluidic flow-focusing device.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •59 (9), pp 3702–3716 (2020) •Q1 •IF: 4.32 •View Publication

Understanding the influence of rheological properties of shear-Thinning liquids on segmented flow in microchannel using CLSVOF based CFD model.

S. G. Sontti, P. G. Pallewar, A. B. Ghosh, & A. Atta •The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering •97 (5), pp 1208-1220 (2019) •Q2 •IF: 2.50 •View Publication

CFD study on Taylor bubble characteristics in Carreau-Yasuda shear thinning liquids.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering •97 (2), pp 616-624 (2019) •Q2 •IF: 2.50 •View Publication

Formation characteristics of Taylor bubbles in power-law liquids flowing through a microfluidic co-flow device.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry •65, pp. 82–94 (2018) •Q1 •IF: 6.76 •View Publication

CFD analysis of microfluidic droplet formation in non-Newtonian liquid.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Chemical Engineering Journal •330, pp 245–261 (2017) •Q1 •IF: 16.74 •View Publication

CFD analysis of Taylor bubble in a co-flow microchannel with Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquid.

S. G. Sontti, & A. Atta •Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research •56 (25), pp 7401–7412 (2017) •Q1 •IF: 4.32 •View Publication

Book Chapters

CFD Investigation on Microdroplet Formation and Dynamics in a Non-Newtonian Fluid Using a Co-Flow Microfluidic Device.

M. Jammula & S. G. Sontti •Microfluidic Devices: Advances in Research and Applications •Chapter 1, Nova Science Publishers (2026) •ISBN: 979-8-90134-056-1 •View Chapter

Numerical investigation of viscous effect on Taylor bubble formation in co-flow microchannel.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •Computer Aided Chemical Engineering •Vol. 40, pp. 1201–1206, Elsevier (2017) •View Chapter

International Conferences

Microbubble enhanced bitumen separation from Tailings slurries with high solid contents.

K. Zhou, S.G. Sontti, J. Zhou, P. Esmaeili, & X. Zhang •72^nd Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference (CCES 2022) •October 23–26, Vancouver, Canada (2022)

Insights into the formation mechanism of oil-water emulsion in microfluidic flow-focusing devices.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •14^th Gas–Liquid and Gas–Liquid–Solid Reactor Engineering (GLS-14) •May 30 – June 3, Guilin, China (2019)

Modeling and analysis of multiphase flow in flow-focusing microchannel.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •25^th International Conference on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ISCRE-25) •May 20–23, Florence, Italy (2018)

Numerical investigation of viscous effect on Taylor bubble formation in co-flow microchannel.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •27^th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE-27) •October 1–5, Barcelona, Spain (2017) •Book Chapter

CFD analysis of Taylor bubble formation in shear thinning liquids.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •10^th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (WCCE-10) •October 1–5, Barcelona, Spain (2017) •Invited · CJCE Special Issue

Taylor bubble formation and breakup dynamics in shear thinning liquids.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •13^th Gas–Liquid and Gas–Liquid–Solid Reactor Engineering (GLS-13) •August 20–23, Brussels, Belgium (2017)

CFD study on alternating droplet generation for liquid-liquid microreactor application.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •13^th Gas–Liquid and Gas–Liquid–Solid Reactor Engineering (GLS-13) •August 20–23, Brussels, Belgium (2017)

CFD study on droplet formation in non-Newtonian fluids flowing through T-Junction microchannel.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •9^th International Conference on Multiphase Flow (ICMF 2016) •May 22–27, Firenze, Italy (2016)

National Conferences

CFD Simulation of Shear-Thinning Fluid-Induced Droplet Splitting in a Microfluidic T-Junction.

M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti •International Conference on Micro Nano Fluidics (iCOM) •October 31 – November 2, IIT Guwahati, India (2025)

CFD Simulation of Droplet Generation and Dynamics in a Shear-thinning Fluid using Flow Focusing Microchannel.

M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti •2^nd International Conference on Fluid, Thermal and Energy Systems (ICFTES 2024) •June 6–8, NIT Calicut, India (2024) •🏆 Best Presentation

CFD Simulation of Compound Droplet Formation Using Complex Fluids in a Co-flow Microchannel.

M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti •IIChE-CHEMCON 2024 •December 27–30, NIT Jalandhar, India (2024)

Computational Investigation of Compound Droplet Dynamics in a Constricted Microchannel.

M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti •Complex Fluids (CompFlu-2024) •December 16–18, IIT Hyderabad, India (2024)

CFD Investigation on Microdroplet/Microcapsule Formation in a Non-Newtonian Fluid Using a Co-flow Microfluidic Device.

M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti •1^st International Conference on Trends in Chemical, Energy and Environmental Engineering •February 19–21, IIPE Visakhapatnam, India (2024)

Hydrodynamics of segmented flow in non-Newtonian liquids.

S.G. Sontti, P.G. Pallewar, A.B. Ghosh & A. Atta •CHEMCON-2017 •December 27–30, Haldia Institute of Technology, India (2017)

CFD study on gas–liquid flow in a microfluidic device with different rupturing angles of intersection.

S.G. Sontti, A. Raize & A. Atta •CHEMCON-2016 •December 27–30, AC Tech Anna University, India (2016)

Numerical study on non-Newtonian droplet formation in microchannels.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •CHEMCON-2015 •December 27–30, IIT Guwahati, India (2015)

Effect of surface tension on Taylor bubble in microchannels.

S.G. Sontti & A. Atta •Golden Jubilee International Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering •October 2–4, NIT Durgapur, India (2015)

Gas phase overall volumetric transfer coefficient for CO₂ into aqueous blends of 2-Amino-2-Methyl-Propanol and Monoethanolamine.

S.G. Sontti, B. Das, K. Hembram & B. Mandal •CHEMCON-2012 •December 27–30, NIT Jalandhar, India (2012)

Absorption of carbon dioxide into blended amines: Diffusion reaction based modeling.

B. Das, K. Hembram, S.G. Sontti & B. Mandal •CHEMCON-2012 •December 27–30, NIT Jalandhar, India (2012)

Nano Technology in Chemical Engineering.

S.G. Sontti •RIPPLES'10 — National Level Symposium •December 15–16, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, India (2010)

Cover Pages

Cover Page

I&EC Research

2025

View

Cover Page

I&EC Research

2023

View

Cover Page

I&EC Research

2017

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Laboratory Facilities

State-of-the-art experimental and computational equipment supporting cutting-edge research at the MFM Laboratory.

Acknowledgements

Funded & Supported by

IIT Dharwad

Indian Institute of Technology

Dept. of Chemical Engineering

IIT Dharwad

All instruments are housed in the MFM Laboratory, Academic Block-2, IIT Dharwad, Karnataka – 580011

15+Instruments

500kfps Camera

3DPrinting

Inverted Microscope

🖨️

3D Printer

CADworks3D · ProFluidics 285D

Microfluidics Fabrication

📷

High-Speed Camera

Phantom KT1240 (Color)

Flow Visualisation

🔬

Inverted Microscope

Carl Zeiss · Axio Observer 7

Microscale Imaging

💧

Fluigent Flow Control

Flow EZ Controller · Fluigent

Pressure-Based Flow Control

⚙️

Rheometer

MCR 102e · Anton Paar

Rheological Characterisation

🌀

Spin Coater

Apex Instruments

Thin Film Deposition

💉

Dual Syringe Pump

Harvard Pump 33 DDS

Precision Fluid Delivery

⚡

Plasma Cleaner

Harrick Plasma

PDMS Surface Treatment

🔀

Microvalve

2-SWITCH™ · Fluigent

Flow Switching

⬆️

Motorized Lab Jack

Holmarc · Motorized Labjack

Precision Positioning

Boom Arm Stand

Camera Boom Arm Mount

Camera Support

🔵

Line Pressure Sensor

Fluigent Pressure Sensor

Real-Time Pressure Measurement

🌡️

Hot Magnetic Stirrers

Laboratory Grade

Sample Preparation

🫙

Desiccators

Laboratory Desiccators

Moisture Control

💧

Contact Angle Meter Coming Soon

Surface Wettability Analysis

Surface Characterisation

💡

LED Light Array Coming Soon

High-Intensity LED Panel

Illumination for Imaging

Funded Research

Research Projects

Sponsored research projects carried out at the MFM Laboratory, IIT Dharwad.

NMRL · DRDO

₹9.85 Lakhs

2023 – 2025

Completed

Multi-Physics Simulation · Structural Analysis

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)

Principal Investigator — Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti

IIT Dharwad

₹5 Lakhs

2023 – 2024

Completed

Microfluidics · CFD · Double Emulsion

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

Principal Investigator — Dr. Somasekhara Goud Sontti

Latest from the Lab

News & Updates

Recent achievements, publications, conference highlights, awards and announcements from the MFM Laboratory.

Cover Page - Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2025

Cover Page Article

Cover Page · 2025

2025 · Publication

Cover page article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

Numerical analysis of controlled droplet formation surrounded by shear-thinning fluid in a co-flow microfluidic device — published as a cover page article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (ACS), Vol. 64(5), pp. 2977–2977 (2025). Work by M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti.

Co-flow Microfluidics Shear-Thinning Fluid CFD · Droplet Formation

View Publication

New

Apr 16, 2026 · Award

Mr. Manohar Jammula receives ANRF – International Travel Support (ITS)

Mr. Manohar Jammula has been awarded the ANRF – International Travel Support (ITS) to attend Microfluidics Horizons 2026 at the University of Padua, Italy, during 18–22 May 2026. Congratulations Mr. Manohar! We sincerely thank ANRF ITS for this support.

ANRF ITS University of Padua, Italy Microfluidics Horizons 2026

New

May 2026 · Equipment

Lab 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.

High-Speed Imaging Droplet Dynamics 500,000 fps

View Facilities

New

March 2026 · Equipment

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.

3D Printing Microfluidic Chips Lab-on-Chip

View Facilities

⭐ Cover Page

2025 · Publication

Cover page article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

Numerical analysis of controlled droplet formation surrounded by shear-thinning fluid in a co-flow microfluidic device. M. Jammula & S.G. Sontti, Vol. 64(5), 2025.

Co-flow Microfluidics Shear-Thinning Fluid CFD · Droplet Formation

2025

June 2025 · Publication

New paper in Chemical Engineering Science

Water flushing in oil sand slurry hydrotransport pipelines — collaborative work with University of Alberta.

Slurry Transport Pipeline Flow UAlberta Collaboration

🏆 Award

2025 · Achievement

Best Presentation Award — National Conference

Mr. Manohar Jammula received the Best Presentation Award for his work on high-throughput droplet generation in flow-focusing microchannels at a national conference on chemical engineering.

Best Presentation Flow-Focusing Manohar Jammula

Meet the Team

Conference

2025 · Conference

MFM Lab presents at CHEMCON 2025

Dr. Sontti and team members presented research on non-Newtonian multiphase flows and microfluidic droplet dynamics at the Indian Chemical Engineering Congress (CHEMCON 2025).

CHEMCON 2025 Non-Newtonian Flow Microfluidics

See Gallery

2025

March 2025 · Team

Ms. Laxmi Priya Swain joins the MFM Lab as PhD scholar

We warmly welcome Laxmi Priya to the MFM Laboratory. She will be working on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) extraction and droplet-based microfluidics.

PhD Scholar REEs Extraction Droplet Microfluidics

Meet the Team

2023

2023 · Team

Mr. Manohar Jammula joins the MFM Lab as PhD scholar

We warmly welcome Manohar to the MFM Laboratory. He is working on computational investigation of compound droplet dynamics and microcapsule formation in co-flow microfluidic devices.

PhD Scholar Microcapsule Formation Computational CFD

Meet the Team

2025

January 2025 · Publication

Paper in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Review on microbubble-based separation technologies for microplastics removal from water (IF: 7.4, Q1).

Microbubbles Microplastics Removal Separation Technology

2024

June 2024 · Publication

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).

Non-Newtonian Flow Solids Settling CFD · Numerical

Join Our Group

Open 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.

CFD Microfluidics Multiphase Flow ML & PINNs

Potential

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

Requirements

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline. Strong publication record expected.

Express Interest

Open

PhD Positions

Full-time doctoral research, IIT Dharwad

Microfluidics and droplet dynamics (CFD + experiments)
Rare Earth Elements (REE) extraction via microfluidics
Non-Newtonian multiphase flow modelling
PINNs for Multiphase flow problems

Requirements

M.Tech / M.E. / M.Sc in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields.

Apply via Email

Rolling

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

Requirements

Enrolled undergraduate or postgraduate students with interest in CFD, fluid mechanics, or experimental methods.

Get in Touch

To apply, please send your CV, a brief statement of research interest, and relevant transcripts to somasekhar.sonti@iitdh.ac.in with the subject line indicating the position you are applying for.

Visual Highlights

CFD Gallery

High-fidelity simulations, interface tracking, velocity fields and animation captures from multiphase flow and microfluidics research.

Phase α — Continuous

Phase β — Dispersed

1.00.50.0

VOF CLSVOF k-ε Euler–Euler OpenFOAM ANSYS Fluent COMSOL

Simulation Snapshots

Compound Droplet · Viscosity

Effect of viscosity on compound droplet dynamics.

Droplet · Capillary Effect

Effect of Capillary number on droplet deformation.

Microfluidics · Throat Width

Effect of throat width on droplet dynamics in microchannel.

Core Droplet · Mixing

Mixing dynamics inside a core droplet.

Validation · T-junction

Numerical validation of droplet formation in T-junction.

T-Junction · Breakup

Droplet breakup in a T-junction microchannel.

Constricted · Microchannel

Single droplet passing through a circular constricted microchannel.

Viscoelastic · Droplet

Viscoelastic droplet passing through a constricted microchannel.

Co-flow · 3D Simulation

CFD simulation of droplet formation in a 3D co-flow microfluidic device.

Fluidized Bed · E-E

3D Eulerian-Eulerian simulation of gas-solid flows in a fluidized bed reactor.

Droplet · Coalescence

Multi-droplet formation and coalescence in microchannel.

Film Thickness · VOF

Droplet formation in square microchannel and liquid film thickness visualization.

Fluidized Bed · 2D

2D fluidization simulation and solid distribution visualization.

Two-Phase Flow · AFR

Two-phase flow analysis in an Advanced Flow Reactor (AFR).

Slurry · Pipeline · E-E

3D Eulerian-Eulerian slurry transport in pipeline — solid volume fraction analysis.

Slurry · Particle Settling

Slurry transport with particle settling visualization.

Slurry · Pipeline

Slurry transportation in pipeline with particle volume fraction analysis.

Taylor Bubble · Co-flow

Taylor bubble formation in co-flow microchannel.

Particle Settling · Pipeline

Particle settling behavior in slurry pipeline transport.

CFD Animations

Click to watch on YouTube

Fluidized Bed

3D Eulerian-Eulerian Simulation of gas-solid flows in a Fluidized bed reactor.

T-Junction

Droplet formation in T-junction micro-channel.

Velocity Field

Velocity field visualization during Taylor bubble formation.

Droplet Breakup

3D numerical simulation of droplet passive breakup in a microchannel.

Taylor Bubble

Taylor Bubble formation in circular co-flow micro-channel.

T-Junction

Droplet passive breakup in a micro-channel T-junction.

Circular Channel

Droplet Formation in a Circular T-Junction Microchannel.

Serpentine

Droplet formation in a serpentine microchannel.

CLSVOF

CLSVOF Study on Droplet coalescence at microchannel intersection.

Film Thickness

Droplet formation and liquid film thickness visualization in square microchannel.

Lab Life & Moments

Memories

Academic interactions, research visits, sports, and cherished moments of the MFM community.

Academic Network

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Sports

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MFM Laboratory · IIT Dharwad

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.

Dharwad, Karnataka, India IIT Dharwad Chemical Engineering