Redictive Science for Group Combustion in High-Speed Multiphase Flows
Project Description
Join and help lead a dynamic team comprised of multiple Purdue faculty and students, several partner universities, and national laboratory staff. This team is collaborating to develop and validate exascale simulations of particle group combustion dynamics in extreme environments, including explosive detonations. Your research will combine advanced numerical simulations for physical discovery with development of validation experiments. During the course of these efforts, you will have the opportunity to (i) develop advanced algorithms for reactive multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), (ii) lead and guide experiments utilizing advanced diagnostics such as extinction imaging, laser absorption Spectroscopy, and laser induced fluorescence, (ii) run simulations on one of the world’s largest scientific supercomputers, and (iv) collaborate with a multi-organizational and interdisciplinary team working to achieve breakthroughs in predictive fidelity with validated confidence. This is a unique opportunity for the postdoctoral researcher to advance both high-fidelity simulations and experimental validation while gaining experience in the organization and leadership of large centers. Technical exchange at US Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories is expected, to include assignments performed at one or more DOE laboratories.
Start Date
Spring or Summer 2026
Postdoc Qualifications
- PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering or science discipline.
- Exemplary track record of academic success quantified by publications in leading journals and a deep understanding of fundamentals.
- Demonstrated success collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
- Experience with high-performance computing and programming is a plus.
Co-advisors
Ryan Houim (ME), rhouim@purdue.edu
Carson Slabaugh (AAE), cslabau@purdue.edu
Dan Guildenbecher (ME), dguilden@purdue.edu
Bibliography
Boniou V, Fox RO, Posey JW, Houim RW (2024) A multiphase model for fluid–particle flows with added mass and phase change, Chemical Engineering Journal.
Houim, R. W., & Kuo, K. K. (2013). A ghost fluid method for compressible reacting flows with phase change. Journal of Computational Physics, 235, 865-900.
Egeln AA, Hewson JC, Guildenbecher DR, Welliver MC, Houim RW (2023) Post-Detonation Fireball Kinetics Modeling: Validation of Freeze-Out Approximations, Physics of Fluids.
Hargis JW, Egeln AA, Houim RW, Guildenbecher DR (2024) Visualization of Post-Detonation Fireball Flowfields and Comparison to CFD Modeling, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Vol. 40(105230).
Senior WC, Gejji RM, Gai T, Slabaugh CD, Lucht RP (2023) "Background suppression for CARS thermometry in highly luminous flames using an electro-optical shutter," Optics Letters.