Dr Rahmat research interests spin around computational modelling of soft matter problems. He mainly develops and extends hybrid multiscale models using particle-based methods e.g., Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics. In terms of applications, his research divides into the following:
Physics-driven interfacial singularities at material interfaces
Dr Rahmat leads the computational modelling of singularities such as the dissolution and agglomeration of solid materials in fluidic environments, and membrane rupture and topological transformations of deformable microparticles. For more information, you can refer to:
Rahmat A., Barigou M., Alexiadis A. (2019) Deformation and Rupture of Compound Cells under Shear: a Discrete Multiphysics Study, Physics of Fluids, 31, 051903. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5091999.
Rahmat A., Weston D., Madden D., Usher S., Barigou M., and Alexiadis A. (2020) Numerical modelling of agglomeration of particle under shear flow using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics, Physics of Fluids 32 (12), 123314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0029213.
Manipulation and control of interfaces using electrohydrodynamics
Dr Rahmat leads the modelling of dispersed multiphase systems under the effects of external electric fields to develop non-invasive, simple-to-use, cost-effective tools for manipulating dispersed fluidic systems. A few examples are the applications of electrohydrodynamics for droplet coalescence, electrojet printing, droplet deformation and dielectrophoresis in microfluidics. For more information, you can refer to:
Saghatchi R., Rahmat A., and Yildiz M. (2020) Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics study on the electrohydrodynamics of a droplet in highly confined domains, Physics of Fluids 32 (12), 123305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0028818.
Rahmat A. and Yildiz M. (2018) A multiphase ISPH method for simulation of droplet coalescence and electro-coalescence, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 105, 32-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2018.03.006.
Hydrogels and smart active stimuli-responsive materials
Dr Rahmat leads the numerical modelling of poroelastic stimuli-responsive hydrogels and other active porous materials with a focus on expanding biomedical applications of stimuli-responsive hydrogels e.g., multistage and directional drug release, soft implants, and wound dressing.