Multiphase Microfluidics Course | IIT Guwahati | Prof. Raghvendra Gupta
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 9 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Future of Process Intensification with Multiphase Microfluidics
The relentless drive towards miniaturization is revolutionizing industries, from pharmaceuticals to electronics cooling. At the heart of this transformation lies a critical field: Multiphase Microfluidics. This discipline is key to designing next-generation compact heat exchangers, efficient microreactors, and advanced lab-on-a-chip devices. To equip the next generation of engineers and researchers with this essential knowledge, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati offers a detailed 8-week postgraduate course.
Course Overview: Dive Deep into Small-Scale Flow Phenomena
This intensive course, instructed by Prof. Raghvendra Gupta, is designed to build a strong foundational and applied understanding of multiphase flows at the microscale. Prof. Gupta, an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Guwahati, brings his expertise in complex transport processes to this specialized program.
The course bridges fundamental principles with cutting-edge developments, focusing on the unique heat, mass, and momentum transport phenomena that occur when gases, liquids, and solids interact within microchannels. These interactions are characterized by high surface-area-to-volume ratios and short diffusion lengths, enabling precise control and intensification of chemical and physical processes.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is meticulously crafted for a specific audience aiming to specialize in advanced fluid dynamics and micro-processing:
- Postgraduate Students (M.Tech & Ph.D.) and final-year undergraduates in Chemical, Mechanical, and related engineering disciplines.
- Industry Professionals working in chemical micro-processing, pharmaceuticals (process intensification), electronics cooling, biomedical device development, and micro-fabrication.
- While primarily a PG-level course, motivated third/final-year UG students with a solid fluid mechanics background can also benefit.
Prerequisites & Industry Recognition
A foundational course in Fluid Mechanics is required to ensure all participants can fully engage with the advanced material. The course's relevance is underscored by support from leading industries, including:
- Thermax
- General Electric
- Syrris
- Blacktrace/Dolomite
Detailed 8-Week Course Curriculum
The course is structured to provide a logical progression from basics to advanced topics and techniques.
| Week | Topic | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction | Motivation, applications, definitions, and the unique effects of scale (size effects). |
| Week 2 | Interfacial Phenomena | Capillarity, wetting/dewetting behavior, and contact line dynamics. |
| Week 3 | Gas-Liquid & Liquid-Liquid Flow | Flow regime maps, pressure drop calculation, and phase distribution in microchannels. |
| Week 4 | Transport in Taylor Flow | Detailed analysis of heat and mass transfer in segmented (slug) flows. |
| Week 5 | Bubble/Droplet Generation & Advanced Regimes | Techniques for creating droplets/bubbles and studying annular/slug-annular flows. |
| Week 6 | Gas-Solid Flow & Applications | Inertial microfluidics and the design/operation of multiphase microreactors. |
| Week 7 | Phase Change Phenomena | Condensation, evaporation, and boiling within micro-scale confines. |
| Week 8 | Experimental & Computational Techniques | Hands-on overview of methods used to study and simulate multiphase microflows. |
Essential Learning Resources
Participants will have access to a rich set of resources curated by Prof. Gupta:
- Two-phase Flow, Boiling and Condensation in Conventional and Miniature Systems by S. M. Ghiaasiaan (Cambridge University Press, 2008).
- Introduction to Microfluidics by P. Tabeling (Oxford University Press, 2005).
- Micro Process Engineering (Selected Chapters) by V. Hessel et al. (Wiley-VCH, 2009).
- A compilation of key review papers and comprehensive lecture notes summarizing the latest research.
Why This Course is Essential for Your Career
Mastering multiphase microfluidics opens doors to innovation in process intensification, where large, batch-based industrial plants are replaced with smaller, safer, and more efficient continuous flow systems. It is fundamental to emerging fields like point-of-care diagnostics, organ-on-a-chip technology, and advanced materials synthesis. This course provides the theoretical depth and practical insight needed to lead R&D and design efforts in these high-growth areas.
Whether you are a student aiming to specialize or a professional seeking to implement microfluidic solutions, this 8-week journey with an expert from IIT Guwahati will provide the critical knowledge to excel in the evolving landscape of miniature multiphase systems.
Enroll Now →