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
Development of advanced computational and experimental methods to characterise and simulate processes in porous materials, application of porous media physics to subsurface processes and engineering applications.
Pore-network modelling
In-house development of GPU-accelerated pore-network models for simulating single-phase flow, two-phase flow, reactive transport (coupled with PHREEQC), electrochemical transport, non-Newtonian fluids flow through porous materials. Applied for various subsurface engineering projects, e.g., CCS, EOR, Hydrogen storage as well as electrochemical devices such as PEM fuel cells and redox flow batteries.
Lattice-Boltzmann modelling
In-house development of GPU-accelerated lattice-Boltzmann models for simulating single-phase flow, two-phase flow, reactive transport (coupled with PHREEQC), wettability alteration in porous materials. Applied for various subsurface engineering projects, e.g., CCS, EOR, Hydrogen storage.
Optical microscopy and micromodels
Design and fabrication of PDMS micromodels, high-pressure and high-temperature glas micromodel experiments, advanced optical microscopy that allows optical visulation with the aspect ratio of 5:1, with the optical resolution of 1.7 micrometer per pixel.
microCT X-ray imaging
3D and 4D X-ray imaging of processes in porous materials using the in-house Henry-Moseley X-ray imaging facilities as well as Diamond Light Source.
Fluids characterisation
Characterisation of fluids rheology, interfacial tension, contact angle measurement, zeta potential, and particle size distribution.
Core-flooding experiments
High-pressure and high-temeprature of core-flooding experiments in tri-axial cells for subsurface applications.
Our Team
Prof Dr Vahid Niasar
Team LeadProf Dr Senyou An
Honorary Reader at UoM (2023-)Dr Mehrdad Vasheghani
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 studentFarzaneh Nazari
PhD studentGrace Esu-Ejemot Aquah
PhD studentEhsan Vahabzadeh
PhD studentTongke Zhou
PhD studentSina Omrani
PhD studentSaleh Mohammadrezaei
PhD studentMahtab Shahrzadi
PhD studentYiqi Sun
PhD studentIMPRES Alumni
Former Postdocs
Dr Nikolaos Karadimitriou
Postdoc during 2014-2017Dr Daniel Magnone
Postdoc during 2017-2018Dr Monika Walczak
Postdoc during 2018-2019Dr Yongqiang Chen
Postdoc during 2019-2021Dr Mohammad Javad Shojaei
Postdoc during during 2020-2021Former PhDs
Dr Rimsha Aziz
PhD student during 2015-2018Dr Omar E. Godinez Brizuela
MPhil and PhD student during 2015-2020Dr Sharul Nizam Hasan
PhD student during 2016-2020Dr Daniel Niblett
PhD student during 2017-2021Dr Hamidreza Erfani
PhD student during 2017-2020Dr Senyou An
PhD student during 2018-2021Dr Takshak Shende
PhD student during 2019-2022Dr 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.
Funders and Industrial Clients
Intense collaboration with energy industries, funding acquisition from UKRI and industries.
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.