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Computational Multiphase Physics Laboratory

A research group · Durham University · Department of Physics

CoMPhy Lab Computational Multiphase Physics

We study non-Newtonian free-surface flows and soft-matter singularities.

A group working at the intersection of applied mathematics, fluid mechanics, and direct numerical simulation. We develop open-source codes and theoretical frameworks for soft-matter phenomena across multiple length and time scales.

Principal investigator
Vatsal Sanjay Assistant Professor
Department
Physics Condensed Matter section
Location
Durham, UK Since July 2025
See the research → Join the lab
Soft Matter March 2026 cover — impacting spheres.
Featured work Impacting spheres — from drops to elastic beads Jana et al. · Soft Matter 22, 2226 (2026) · cover Read the paper ↗
Currently

Current interests include mycofluidic transport, the influence of non-Newtonian rheology on hydrodynamic singularities, and respiratory-droplet formation driven by viscoelastic mucus rheology.

01 · Research

How does soft matter break?

Capillary, inertial, viscous, and elastic stresses dictate how drops impact, films rupture, bubbles burst, and jets pinch off.

All 24 papers ↗
Open-source DNS for complex fluids — signature figure
04 · Non-Newtonian

Open-source DNS for complex fluids

We extend Basilisk C with non-Newtonian, viscoelastic, and elastoviscoplastic solvers, and contribute integral surface-tension formulations. Every paper ships with a reproducible simulation repository.

2025 Integral surface tension formulations in a VOF framework · Marangoni flows J. Comput. Phys.
2025 Electrolyte droplet spraying in H₂ bubbles during water electrolysis Nat. Commun.
2026 Rheology of Two-Dimensional Dilute Emulsions Phys. Rev. Fluids
02 · Recent News

What's happening in the lab

All news ↗
12 Mar 26
Paper

Impacting spheres: from liquid drops to elastic beads

Jana, S., Kolinski, J., Lohse, D. & Sanjay, V. — Soft Matter, 22, 2226–2236 (2026). Selected as the March cover article.

DOI ↗
28 Feb 26
·
Talk

Simulating respiratory droplet formation: non-Newtonian fluid dynamics

Ayush Dixit shows that viscoelastic respiratory-fluid rheology is essential for accurate droplet-size predictions in airborne-transmission models.

Video
10 Feb 26
Paper

Holes in sheets: double-threshold rupture of draining liquid films

Dixit, A. K., Zhao, C., Zaleski, S., Lohse, D. & Sanjay, V. — Phys. Rev. Lett., 136, 084001 (2026). Two distinct rupture mechanisms separated by a critical Ohnesorge.

Read
15 Jan 26
Paper

Stood-up drop to determine receding contact angles

Díaz, D., Bhargava, A. S., et al., & Sanjay, V. — Soft Matter, 22, 657–667 (2026). A new experimental protocol for receding contact angles on superhydrophobic surfaces.

Read
1 Dec 25
Paper

To jump or not to jump: adhesion and viscous dissipation dictate the detachment of coalescing wall-attached bubbles

Demirkır, Ç., Yang, R., Bashkatov, A., Sanjay, V., Lohse, D. & Krug, D. — Phys. Rev. Fluids, 10, 123602 (2025).

Read
03 · People

The people in the room

Full roster ↗
Portrait of Dr. Vatsal Sanjay

Dr. Vatsal Sanjay

Principal investigator · Assistant Professor

DNS of non-Newtonian free-surface flows; PI since 2025. Previously Phys. Fluids, Univ. Twente (2018–25) and IIT Roorkee.

Portrait of Ayush Dixit M.Sc.

Ayush Dixit M.Sc.

Ph.D. student · Univ. Twente

Viscoelastic flows, bursting bubbles, and respiratory drops. Co-advised with Detlef Lohse.

Portrait of Aman Bhargava M.Sc.

Aman Bhargava M.Sc.

Ph.D. student · Univ. Twente

Inertial contact lines and drop retraction on complex surfaces. Co-advised with Detlef Lohse.

Portrait of Jnandeep Talukdar M.Sc.

Jnandeep Talukdar M.Sc.

Ph.D. student · Univ. Twente

Surfactant dynamics, dissipative anomaly, soft wetting. KHMW Young Talent Award 2025.

Portrait of Saumili Jana M.Sc.

Saumili Jana M.Sc.

Ph.D. student · Univ. Twente

Soft impact — liquid drops and elastic beads. First author on the March 2026 Soft Matter cover article.