DrSajjad Foroughi

Background and Future Research Direction:

Heterogeneous rocks exhibit a wide variation in pore sizes, ranging from less than 0.1 microns to over 100 microns. Due to this diversity, capturing the entire pore space using micro-CT imaging techniques is challenging. However, the application of differential imaging enables the quantification of sub-resolution porosity and the generation of detailed porosity maps. In our recent paper, titled ''Incorporation of Sub-Resolution Porosity Into Two-Phase Flow Models With a Multiscale Pore Network for Complex Microporous Rocks," I have developed a comprehensive workflow to integrate this sub-resolution porosity into multiscale pore network models. This methodology significantly enhances the accuracy of our models by accounting for the finer, unresolved details of the pore structure. The resulting 3D image-based, multi-scale pore network model has undergone rigorous validation and has proven effective in simulating drainage and imbibition processes in complex and heterogeneous rock formations.

I am currently focused on testing this multiscale pore network model for applications in porous materials, with a particular emphasis on electrochemical devices and energy conversion and storage systems. The goal of this testing is to deepen our understanding of how pore-scale physics and porous material structure influence the performance and optimization of these devices, ultimately advancing their design and efficiency. This work leverages advanced physics-based models originally developed for multiphase flow in underground porous media to enhance the understanding and optimization of battery performance and degradation from the perspective of porous materials—an important yet often overlooked aspect in this field.

As a testament to the significance of this tool, my project Decoding the Physics Behind Termite Nests: Toward the Biomimetic Architectural Design of Smart Ventilation Systems received funding from the Dame Julia Higgins Fund. Through this work, I am applying these tools to termite nests to investigate the multiscale multiphysics at play within these remarkable porous structures. This research delves into the intricate world of multiscale multiphysics pore networks, underscoring their potential to revolutionize sustainable architectural design and inspire innovative, nature-driven solutions for smart ventilation systems.
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N.B. My personal website is sajjadforoughi.github.io, please check there for the most up-to-date news and a complete research profile!
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Topics of Interest:

Computational Physics: Multiphysics Multiscale Pore networks, Direct Numerical Simulation, Multiphase Flow in Porous Materials, Pore-Scale Modelling, Electrochemical Devices, Underground Hydrogen Storage, High-Performance Computing in Physics, Numerical Solutions of Nonlinear Differential Equations, Computational Thermodynamics.

Computational Methods: Applied Optimisation, Statistical Analysis, Data Assimilation, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Uncertainty Quantification.