Multiscale Multiphysics Group | IIT Madras

Multiscale Multiphysics Group

Our core research is multiphase flows and phase change: condensation, frosting, boiling, and the dynamics of droplets, bubbles, and particles. We connect fundamental interfacial physics with engineered surfaces, microfluidics, and thermal management across scales.

Connected by interfaces

Explore our research

Choose a theme. Follow a branch to the research behind it.

Dr. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra

Principal Investigator

Dr. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras

The group combines experiments, modelling, simulations, visualization, surface fabrication, thermal diagnostics, and data-driven methods to understand transport phenomena in complex fluid systems and translate them into useful technologies.

Prof. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra is also associated with the ISRO-IIT Madras Centre of Excellence for Fluid and Thermal Sciences since 2025.

Featured Research

Experiments connecting multiphase flows, engineered wetting, phase change, and thermal systems. View experimental images and video →

Experimental image of frost crystals and droplets on a surface

Condensation, Frosting & Boiling

Multiphase heat and mass transfer on engineered surfaces: condensate formation, ice growth, and vapor-bubble dynamics. Explore phase-change research

Droplet transport

Programmable Droplet Transport

Passive droplet motion, splitting, and mixing on open surfaces using wettability and geometry gradients.

Battery thermal management

Battery and Electronics Cooling

Cold plates, thermosyphons, heat pipes, and machine-learning-aided thermal field reconstruction.

Recent Publications

Selected recent journal papers from the group. The complete list is available on the Publications page.

2026 | Thermal Science and Engineering Progress

Lightweight thermal management strategy for Li-ion pouch cells using localised cold plate and graphite sheet

Hemanth Dileep, Pallab Sinha Mahapatra, and Arvind Pattamatta.

2026 | Physical Review Fluids

Entry and penetration of a superhydrophobic sphere into a deep pool

Billa Prasanna Kumar, Cameron Tropea, and Pallab Sinha Mahapatra.

2026 | Scientific Reports

Mixing of a binary passive particle system using smart active particles

Thomas Jacob, Siddhant Mohapatra, Rajalingam A, Sam Mathew, and Pallab Sinha Mahapatra.

2025 | Applied Thermal Engineering

Atmospheric water vapor condensation on a vertical surface: Effects of confinement

Tibin M Thomas, Pallab Sinha Mahapatra, and Ranjan Ganguly.

2025 | Physics of Fluids

Droplet impact on patterned wettable surface: Experiments and numerical analysis

Ashok Kumar Raipilli, Nishith Balagirithar, and Pallab Sinha Mahapatra.

2025 | Journal of Fluid Mechanics

Motion of a rigid sphere penetrating a deep pool

Billa Prasanna Kumar, Tejaswi Josyula, Cameron Tropea, and Pallab Sinha Mahapatra.

News Highlights

2026

Institute Research Award

Hemanth D received the Institute Research Award for the PhD thesis from IIT Madras.

2026

Postdoctoral Appointment

Dr. Siddhant Mohapatra joined Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany as a postdoctoral fellow.

2025

Postdoctoral Appointment

Dr. Gayathri R joined University College London, UK as a postdoctoral fellow.

Join the Group

We welcome motivated students interested in fluid mechanics, interfacial transport, surface engineering, multiphase systems, thermal management, and collective dynamics.

Multiscale Multiphysics Group © 2026 | Design & Developed By: Dr. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra