Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science: Muhammad Sahimi

Muhammad Sahimi

NIOC Professor

Research Topics

Dynamic Properties of Heterogeneous Materials
Characterization and Modelling of Fractured Rock
Multiphase Flow, Dispersion, and Displacement Processes in Porous Media
Diffusion, Reaction and Decativation in Porous Catalysts
Transport, Adsorption and Separation of Fluid Mixtures in Nanoporous Membranes
Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo Simultions
Discrete Stochastic Modelling of Biological Phenomena

Research Overview

Dynamic Properties of Heterogeneous Materials
We have been using large-scale Monte Carlo simulations, as well as analytical approximations and techniques, such as the effective-medium approximation, and position-space renormalization group method, for computing and predicting the effective transport and mechanical properties of disordered materials, as well as their fracture and failure properties. In particular, we have been studying two-phase heterogeneous materials. In such materials, the interconnectivity of the microscopic elements of the phases plays a fundamental role in determining the macroscopic or effective properties of the materials. The connectivity properties are quantified by Percolation Theory.

Characterization and Modelling of Fractured Rock
Modern concepts, such as fractal geometry, wavelet transformations, and simulated annealing are being used to characterize and model the geology of fractured rock. The goal is to develop realistic models of such systems, and then up-scale the models for use in large-scale simulation of flow processes in fractured rock.

Multiphase Flow, Dispersion, and Displacement Processes in Porous Media
We are studying two- and three-phase flows in disordered porous media, using network models to study these phenomena at laboratory scales, and large-scale coarsened models to investigate these phenomena at large (field) scales. In addition, we are studying dispersion processes in flow through field-scale porous media, as they relate to contamination of groundwater. We are also developing efficient and accurate simulators for predicting gas generation and transport in landfills and the soil that surrounds them.

Diffusion, Reaction and Decativation in Porous Catalysts
Transport, reaction and deactivation are important phenomena that occur in porous catalysts. We have been studying such phenomena using pore network models of catalysts and large-scale computer simulations. The goal is developing a comprehensive model of such phenomena that occur in porous catalysts, so that the model can be used for optimizing the performance of catalysts.

Transport, Adsorption and Separation of Fluid Mixtures in Nanoporous Membranes
In collaboration with Professor Theodore T. Tsotsis of our Department and industrial colleagues, we a have been preparing and characterizing three types of nanoporous membranes for separation of fluid mixtures into their constituents. The three types of membranes are carbon molecular-sieve membranes, silicon carbide membranes, and pillared clay membranes, each having their own distinct properties that can be exploited for for a variety of operating conditions.

Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo Simultions
We are using equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, as well as Monte Carlo simulations, to develop atomistic and molecular models of nanoporous membranes and other materials.

Discrete Stochastic Modelling of Biological Phenomen
Biological systems are perhaps the most complex, and in many ways disordered, media that Nature has created. The range of phenomena occurring in such systems is astonishingly broad and highly complex. Often, they seem to be chaotic. Over the past several years, it has become increasingly clear that the chaotic and complex behavior of many biological systems may be precisely characterized using fractal analysis, percolation concepts, and computer simulations. This possibility has become a prime motivation for us for undertaking research work on some biological problems in which the expertise of our research group in modelling disordered systems can be fruitfully used. We have been studying two important problems in this area, which are modeling natural immune systems, and understanding the spatial distribution and the dynamics of cell production in the bone marrow. Traditionally, differential equations of population dynamics have been used to model such phenomena. However, such models provide information about the average properties, but cannot provide any insight into the effect of fluctuations and the spatial structure of the systems on the properties of both phenomena, whereas such factors play a key role in the dynamics of the phenomena. Most appropriate for understanding the effect of the fluctuations and the spatial structure of the environment are discrete or cellular automata models in which a lattice site can take on a small number of states, and its evolution at the next time step depends on its present state and the environment around it, and these are the models that our group has been pursuing.

Muhammad Sahimi

NIOC Professor

Research Topics

Research Overview

Contact Information

Education

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Selected Publications