The University of Cincinnati Lab for Interfacial Dynamics (UCLID) is an interdisciplinary lab with experimental and computational capabilities for studying transport at curved liquid-vapor interfaces such as drops, bubbles, menisci, and thin films. We study liquid-vapor phase change at a fundamental level using theory, on-earth and in-space experiments, and multiscale modeling from molecular dynamics to CFD. We use what we learn to develop next-generation microscale phase change and thermal management devices, enable technologies for the hydrogen economy, solve thermal-fluid management problems in microgravity, address issues in the food-water-energy nexus, and improve advanced manufacturing processes.

What we bring:

• Multiscale, predictive modeling of evaporation, condensation, and wetting, with no tuning coefficients (research)
• Extreme-environment experiments: neutron imaging of cryogenic hydrogen and methane, and analysis of International Space Station data
• Interfacial diagnostics: interferometry, ellipsometry, high-speed imaging, and acoustic sensing
• Innovation in engineering education: CFD projects scoped to each student’s research and career goals (several have led to publications), a gamified Thermodynamics course, and classroom tools built in-house for live comprehension feedback and AI study assistance (teaching)

Interested in working with us? See Industry Collaboration.

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