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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
Featured work Best Video Award — JMBC Burgers Symposium 2026 Dixit et al. · Best Video · JMBC Burgers Symposium
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 ↗
28 May 26
AD
Award

Ayush Dixit wins Best Video at JMBC Burgers Symposium 2026

Ayush Dixit received the Best Video Award at the JMBC Burgers Symposium for his work on respiratory droplet formation and viscoelastic fluid dynamics.

Watch video
24 May 26
Paper

Tiny Defects, Big Consequences: SoftComp features our rupture study

EU SoftComp on our Phys. Rev. Lett. work establishing a deterministic failure criterion for micron-thick films—imperfections trigger rupture long before molecular forces matter.

Read feature
12 May 26
Paper

SoftComp features our viscoelastic-sphere impact study

EU SoftComp highlights how our Soft Matter cover article bridges Wagner's liquid-impact theory and Hertzian contact theory for materials between fluids and solids.

Read feature
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
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.