Garbin Research Group
Flow and Dynamics of Soft Matter
Welcome to the Garbin Research Group. We are part of the section Transport Phenomena of the Department of Chemical Engineering at TU Delft. Our research focuses on microscale fluid dynamics, with a current focus on sustainable products and processes.
At the microscale, the interactions of droplets, cells, or small particles with flow and confinement (e.g., in a porous medium) can completely govern the macroscopic properties and performance of products and processes. For instance consumer products (foods, house-, and personal-care products) are typically microstructured fluids, formulated to exhibit desired properties – stability, shelf life, performance – by controlling their composition, interactions, and flow properties. Replacing just one ingredient in an existing product can modify its flow properties completely, therefore a fundamental understanding of the microscale fluid dynamics of multicomponent, microstructured fluids is key to accelerate the replacement of harmful or polluting ingredients.
In our research program we integrate fluid dynamics with soft matter physics and colloid & interface science, to accurately understand the flow phenomena of such complex, microstructured fluids and soft materials. Combining precision experiments with particle-based simulations and analytical models, we can link the change in microstructure of a complex fluid or soft material to its macroscopic properties and its performance in applications.
We apply our fundamental expertise to bridge science and technology and contribute to developing sustainable products and processes, as part of the transition to a circular economy.
