


The Integrated Multiscale Porous Media Research (IMPRES) Group, established and led by Professor Dr.
Vahid Niasar in 2014, is dedicated to delivering innovative engineering solutions for a wide range of
porous media topics. Our expertise spans subsurface hydrology, reservoir engineering, renewable energy,
fuel cells, and batteries.
At the IMPRES Group, our team of researchers is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge computational
and experimental techniques. We aim to investigate various aspects such as multiphase flow, reactive
transport, solid-fluid and fluid-fluid interfaces, as well as non-classical theories of porous materials.
By addressing these fundamental problems in science and engineering, we contribute to advancing knowledge
in the field.
Our mission is twofold. Firstly, we strive to deepen our understanding of fundamental porous media
processes. By exploring these processes at pore level, we gain valuable insights into their intricate
mechanisms. Secondly, we are committed to improving numerical upscaling methods for multi-scale coupled
problems. This enables us to bridge the gap between microscopic and macroscopic scales, facilitating more
accurate and efficient modeling of complex systems.
Our diverse research portfolio encompasses a wide range of topics, including:
Expertise:
- Optical and X-ray imaging of porous materials,
- Pore-scale modelling using GPU-accelerated pore-network modelling, Lattice-Boltzmann, and Volume-of-Fluid methods,
- Darcy-scale, reservoir scale modelling and simulations,
- Physics of porous media, flow and reactive transport in porous media.
- Subsurface energy engineering,
- Geological CO2 and hydrogen storage,
- Reservoir engineering and enhanced oil recovery,
- Electrochemical energy engineering, e.g., fuel cells and flow batteries,
- Soil physics and contaminant hydrogeology.
Prof Dr Vahid Niasar
I am a professor of subsurface engineering and porous media physics at the department of Chemical Engineering. I joined the University of Manchester in 2014, after few years of experience in upstream research at Shell Global Solutions in the Netherlands. My research interests and expertise cover diverse topics of multi-phase flow and reactive transport in porous media, hydrogeology and subsurface energy engineering (including geothermal energy, CO2 and hydrogen storage, enhanced oil recovery), flow and transport modelling in electrochemical systems such as PEM fuel cells and redox flow batteries, flow and transport in manufactured porous media such as membranes, filters and catalysts. A summary of my career:
- Since 2024, Head of Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- Since 2023, President-Elect, International Society of Porous Media (InterPore)
- Since 2022, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- Since 2021, Deputy Head of Research, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- Since 2021, Director of Subsurface Energy Engineering MSc Programme, University of Manchester, UK.
- 2020- 2022, Reader, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- 2018- 2020, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- 2014- 2018, Lecturer, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, UK.
- 2011- 2014, Research Reservoir Engineer, Shell, The Netherlands.
Expertise and Facilities
IMPRES specialises in advanced computational modelling and experimental techniques to characterise and simulate processes in porous materials. Our expertise spans pore-network modelling, lattice Boltzmann modelling, microfluidics, X-ray microCT imaging, fluid characterisation, and core-flooding experiments, applied to subsurface engineering and electrochemical systems.

Pore-network modelling
Development of GPU-accelerated pore-network models for simulating single-phase flow, two-phase flow, reactive transport (coupled with PHREEQC), electrochemical transport, and non-Newtonian fluid flow in porous materials. Applications include subsurface engineering projects such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), hydrogen storage, and electrochemical devices like PEM fuel cells and redox flow batteries.

Lattice Boltzmann Modelling
Development of GPU-accelerated lattice Boltzmann models for simulating single-phase flow, two-phase flow, reactive transport (coupled with PHREEQC), and wettability alteration in porous materials. Applications include subsurface engineering projects such as CCS, EOR, and hydrogen storage.

Optical and Fluorescence microscopy
Design and fabrication of PDMS micromodels, along with capabilities for conducting high-pressure and high-temperature glass micromodel experiments. Advanced optical microscopy capabilities enabling visualisation with an aspect ratio of 5:1 and an optical resolution of 1.7 micron/px. Advanced micro particle imaging velocimetry, enabling spatiotemporal evolution of velocity field in porous media.

microCT X-ray Imaging
3D and 4D X-ray imaging of transport processes in porous materials under low- and high-pressure conditions using in-house Henry Moseley X-ray imaging facilities and the UK Diamond Light Source, enabling detailed analysis of dynamic and structural properties.

Fluids Characterisation
Characterisation of fluid rheology, interfacial tension, rock-fluid contact angle, zeta potential, and particle size distribution, providing insights into fluid behaviour in porous systems.

Core-flooding Experiments
High-pressure and high-temperature core-flooding experiments conducted in tri-axial cells for subsurface applications, including reservoir characterisation and fluid flow analysis.
Our Team

Prof Dr Vahid Niasar
Team Lead
Prof Dr Senyou An
Honorary Reader at UoM (2023-)
Dr Mehrdad V Farahani
Post-Doctoral Research Associate (2023-)
Dr Javad Shokri
Post-Doctoral Research Associate (2023-)
Dr Christopher From
Post-Doctoral Research Associate (2023-)
Amna Al-Qenae
PhD student
Farzaneh Nazari
PhD student
Grace Esu-Ejemot Aquah
PhD student
Ehsan Vahabzadeh
PhD student
Tongke Zhou
PhD student
Sina Omrani
PhD student
Saleh Mohammadrezaei
PhD student
Mahtab Shahrzadi
PhD student
Yiqi Sun
PhD student
Arash Pourakaberian
PhD student
Qiuheng Xie
PhD studentIMPRES Alumni
Former Postdocs

Dr Nikolaos Karadimitriou
Postdoc during 2014-2017
Dr Daniel Magnone
Postdoc during 2017-2018
Dr Monika Walczak
Postdoc during 2018-2019
Dr Yongqiang Chen
Postdoc during 2019-2021
Dr Mohammad Javad Shojaei
Postdoc during during 2020-2021Former PhDs

Dr Rimsha Aziz
PhD student during 2015-2018
Dr Omar E. Godinez Brizuela
MPhil and PhD student during 2015-2020
Dr Sharul Nizam Hasan
PhD student during 2016-2020
Dr Daniel Niblett
PhD student during 2017-2021
Dr Hamidreza Erfani
PhD student during 2017-2020
Dr Senyou An
PhD student during 2018-2021
Dr Takshak Shende
PhD student during 2019-2022
Dr Javad Shokri
PhD student during 2019-2023Former Visitors

Shanshan Zhou
Visiting PhD student (2022-2023)Research Portfolio
Our research portfolio covers a wide range of techniques, applications at various physical scales from pore to continuum and reservoir scale. Some of the key research areas are covered here.
Subsurface Renewable Energy and Storage
Fuel Cells and Batteries
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Soil, Groundwater, and Contaminant Transport
Fundamentals of Multiphase Flow and Transport in Porous Media
Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Porous Media
Funders and Industrial Clients
Collaboration with leading energy industries and funding support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and industrial partners.
Testimonial of IMPRES alumni
Since 2014, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several talented PhD students and PDRA staff in IMPRES group.
Contact Us
Please note the postal address is different than the visiting address.