Organizers

This event aims to bring together academic researchers and industry professionals to foster meaningful dialogue across disciplines. By facilitating the exchange of ideas and perspectives, it seeks to open new avenues for research and technological innovation in the field of liquid film flows. The program will encompass theoretical, numerical, and experimental methodologies, with a dedicated session addressing challenges of industrial relevance. The organizing team brings together a well-balanced mix of expertise across these areas, making suited to lead this initiative.

The organizing committee includes:

• Dr. Fabio Pino
• Dr. Radu Cimpeanu
• Dr. Susana Gomes
• Dr. Emmanouil Chatzigiannakis

Below, we provide detailed information about each organizer’s affiliation and area of expertise, and how their backgrounds align with the objectives of the colloquium.

Dr. Fabio Pino

Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge

Fabio is a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in the theoretical analysis of liquid film flows. His work spans reduced-order modelling, linear and nonlinear stability analysis, numerical simulations, feedback control, and adjoint-based methods, with applications across a range of multi-physical systems.

In particular, his research focuses on the development of integral reduced-order models for coating flows and evaporating/condensing liquid films subject to temperature variations and external magnetic fields. These theoretical contributions are complemented by detailed investigations of linear and nonlinear instabilities, including studies of absolute versus convective instability in flat film configurations. He has also developed a strong background in controlling unstable film flows, employing both stability-based strategies and machine-learning techniques. His methodologies have been applied to various industrially relevant systems, including hot-dip galvanising technologies and pulsating heat pipe exchanges. These experiences highlight his ability to combine rigorous theoretical analysis with a strong orientation toward practical applications. Fabio’s interdisciplinary approach, bridging mathematics, physics, and engineering, makes him a valuable asset to the organisation of this event.

He will play a central role in shaping the theoretical and numerical components of the programme, with a particular interest in the machine learning session of the event, ensuring a well-balanced integration between fundamental research and industrial applications.

Dr. Radu Cimpeanu

Warwick Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick

Radu is an applied mathematician specialised in high performance computing for multi-scale problems, with broad research experience in the mathematical modelling of real-world systems. His work covers the numerical simulation of liquid film flows, wave propagation, topologically changing interfacial flow dynamics, as well as data-driven approaches in fluid mechanics and feedback control methods, often motivated by relevant industrial applications.

His research on liquid films combines reduced-dimensional modelling, asymptotic analysis, and direct numerical simulation, often also considering multi-physics features such as the effect of external electric fields. Mastering advanced numerical methods enables the analysis of nonlinear regimes with complex interfacial dynamics, such as coalescence and dripping. Applications of these investigations include lab-on-a-chip devices and precision coating technologies. Moreover, he has expertise in feedback control methodologies using mechanical actuation techniques (e.g., blowing/suction, acoustics, and electrohydrodynamics) for controlling nonlinear liquid film flows.

With a genuine interest in industrial mathematics, he contributed to projects outside the domain of liquid film flows, including operational research and flow optimisation. His activity in knowledge transfer spans local (departmental impact committee and management committee member of the cross-departmental Centre for Applications of Mathematical & Computing Sciences at Warwick, panel member of the University of Warwick EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account) and national (champion in the UK Knowledge Exchange Hub network, mentor as part of study group with industry workshops) structures, with active involvement in subject-specific national initiatives as evidenced by management roles within the UK Fluids Network and UKRI National Fellowships in Fluid Dynamics scheme, demonstrating his ability to bridge the academic and industrial communities while championing early career researcher activities. His extensive expertise, diverse and multidisciplinary research interests, along with his rich and active network, will be particularly valuable in shaping and contributing to the numerical and computational aspects of the event.

Dr. Susana Gomes

Warwick Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick

Susana is an applied mathematician with a strong research background in liquid film modelling, control, and optimisation, particularly from the perspective of partial differential equations (PDEs) analysis and interacting particle systems. Her work frequently addresses multiscale systems and integrates techniques from control theory, stabilisation methods, and Bayesian inverse problems, with applications in physical, life, and social sciences.

Susana’s primary research interests lie in controlling thin liquid films flowing down inclined planes, a classic problem in fluid dynamics with numerous industrial implications in coating and heat exchange systems. Her work addresses both passive and active control strategies: passive controls include modifying substrate geometry or applying heat. In contrast, active controls involve real-time feedback through mechanisms such as blowing and suction. She employs a hierarchy of reduced models to understand and control these systems. Notably, she has developed control strategies for the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation, stabilising unstable equilibria via linear feedback and proving robustness to parameter uncertainty and additional physical effects (e.g., dispersion, destabilising electric fields).

In addition, her activity also spans knowledge transfer initiatives, such as being in the Executive Committee of Warwick's Centre for the Applications of Mathematical & Computing Sciences and the Leadership team of the recently launched KE Hub Working Group in Optimal Control and Scientific Computing, which will be used to advertise the workshop within the UK.

Susana’s deep theoretical insight into PDE control and nonlinear dynamics will be instrumental in designing and coordinating the theoretical components of the event. Her perspective will also help integrate theoretical modelling with numerical simulation and experimental work.

Dr. Emmanouil Chatzigiannakis

Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Emmanouil Chatzigiannakis is an experimental fluid dynamics specialist whose work stands at the crossroads of soft matter physics, interfacial rheology, and polymer‑fluid interactions. His research encompasses thin film dynamics, bubble and droplet coalescence, interfacial rheology, multiphase soft materials, and polymers at interfaces.

His main expertise consists in designing and performing experiments to reveal the fundamental behaviours of fluid systems at interfaces, particularly in regimes that are challenging for theoretical and numerical models to validate. He employs advanced techniques in interfacial rheology, exploring both shear and dilational responses, which are crucial for understanding stability and dynamics in emulsions, foams, and monolayer films. His work builds on methods such as magnetic-needle or double-wall ring rheometry to measure surface viscoelasticity. He investigates how interfacial stresses influence multi-physical structures, from polymer-laden interfaces to deformable microgels.

Thanks to his in-depth knowledge of experimental methods, he will lead the experimental sessions, ensuring that hands-on studies are closely connected with theoretical and numerical discussions. His role will be pivotal in creating a cohesive, interdisciplinary narrative that facilitates meaningful dialogue among theoreticians, experimentalists, and industrial actors. Moreover, such integration will be essential to align cutting-edge experimental insights with applied fluid modelling and control strategies.