My research focuses on fluid mechanics, multiscale hydrodynamics, and multiphysical systems, primarily through advanced computational modeling complemented by targeted experimental measurements and observations. Understanding and controlling colloidal particle behaviors and their collective dynamics within fluidic environments have broad implications across biological systems, biomedical applications, engineering processes, energy storage technologies, and materials design. The central focus of my doctoral and postdoctoral research was to investigate how particle-level interactions—driven by electrokinetic phenomena, ionic transport, and fluid flow — dictate multiscale suspension behavior.
During my doctoral research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (Mechanical Engineering) under Prof. Jae Sung Park, I focused on nonlinear electrokinetic effects, specifically induced-charge electrophoresis (ICEP) and dielectrophoresis (DEP), in dense colloidal and granular systems. We characterized how these mechanisms influenced particle dynamics, microstructures, and bulk rheology under various flow conditions. To enable this work, I developed a large-scale computational solver in Fortran based on Stokesian Dynamics, capable of simulating highly concentrated suspensions subjected to various flow conditions (e.g., shear, and pressure-driven flows) while accounting for the particle interactions from the nonlinear electrokinetic phenomena. The model captures essential multi-body hydrodynamic interactions—both long- and short-range—as well as various particle forces such as dipolar interactions and DLVO-type interactions, providing a comprehensive framework for probing various complex colloidal systems. Collaborating with Prof. Ruiguo Yang, I extended electrokinetic concepts to nanopore-based drug delivery through porous substrate electroporation, establishing theoretical frameworks that combined electrophoresis and electroosmosis for the experimental observations and for designing such drag-delivery methods. Additionally, my doctoral research included investigating the mechanisms associated with atherosclerosis, focusing on pulsatile flows and particle dynamics in constricted geometries that represent the stenotic large arteries. For this work, I developed a CFD simulation solver that integrates Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) with the Immersed Boundary Method (IBM).
Related publications:
In my postdoctoral role with Prof. Ankur Gupta at the University of Colorado Boulder (Chemical and Biological Engineering), I extended my work on colloids and electrokinetics with a specific focus on diffusiophoretic transport and fundamental ionic transport processes. We developed a new framework integrating reaction–diffusion (RD) theory with diffusiophoretically-assisted assembly of finite-sized cells. To support this, I created a fast, multi-component Eulerian–Lagrangian simulation that models the dynamics of very large populations of particles or cells in response to biochemical RD signals. This model enables the generation of complex structures and multiscale features while capturing key aspects of colloidal physics. I also explored multi-ionic diffusiophoresis and its role in exclusion zone (EZ) formation and flow instability. By combining detailed experiments with the development of a multiphysics simulation solver- coupling multi-ionic transport, colloidal dynamics, and fluid flow - we were able to quantitatively reproduce key features of the observed phenomena. This work enabled us to systematically evaluate how suspension chemo-physical properties and domain geometry influence EZ development and the dynamics of emerging instabilities. Additionally, my postdoctoral research includes a collaboration with Prof. Daniel K. Schwartz to study the effects of electrokinetics on colloidal transport within interconnected porous media. This work integrates super-resolution 3D single-nanoparticle tracking with simulation modeling to link microscale dynamics to macroscale properties.
Related prospective publications:
Overall, my research interests span the fundamentals of colloidal transport and fluid mechanics, complex fluids, rheology, and stimuli-responsive smart materials, with a focus on integrating phenomenological modeling, realistic computational frameworks, and experimental observations. Looking ahead, my research will continue bridging fundamentals of fluid mechanics, colloidal transport, and rheology with practical applications. I aim to study hydrodynamics-driven transport and self-assembly in complex and heterogeneous environments relevant to biomedical, biological, and environmental contexts, emphasizing non-Newtonian and viscoelastic fluid dynamics. Additionally, I seek to identify new design principles for stimuli-responsive and adaptable soft materials, with transformative applications in energy storage systems, soft robotics, battery technologies, and other next-generation adaptive technologies.