vahid.niasar@manchester.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 52 93 082

IMPRES is hiring!

IMPRES is offering PhD and Postdoctorial Research Associate positions. Self-funded PhD students might be also admitted subject to interview and eligibility review.

Integrated Multiscale
Porous Media Research

Get Started Our Projects

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.
Industrial Applications:
  • 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.
For list of publications please check the google scholar link:

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 student

IMPRES 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 2020-2021

Former 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 2019-2023

Former 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.

Dynamics of CO2 Density-Driven Flow in Carbonate Aquifers

Erfani et al. (2021) investigated CO2 density-driven flow in carbonate aquifers, showing dispersion accelerates convection and increases dissolution flux. Geochemical reactions enhanced long-term storage but reduced sequestration in diffusion-dominated phases, highlighting the need for accurate geochemical modeling.

Exploring Carbonate Rock Dissolution Dynamics and the Influence of Rock Mineralogy in CO2 Injection

Shokri et al. (2024) studied carbonate rock dissolution during CO2 injection, finding flow rate and mineralogy significantly impact fracture profiles. Low flow rates caused uneven dissolution, while high rates led to uniform widening. Ankerite presence created a permeable dissolution-altered layer, unlike clay-rich carbonates.

Impact of capillary pressure hysteresis and injection-withdrawal schemes on performance of underground hydrogen storage

Nazari et al. (2024) investigated the impact of capillary pressure hysteresis and injection-withdrawal schemes on underground hydrogen storage (UHS) performance. They found that capillary pressure scanning curves had minimal impact on hydrogen saturation distribution but influenced well properties like withdrawal rates. High flow rates led to water upconing, reducing hydrogen productivity. The study highlights the interplay between Bond and capillary numbers in optimizing UHS efficiency.

Lattice-Boltzmann simulation of dissolution of carbonate rock during CO2-saturated brine injection

An et al. (2021) investigated CO2-induced carbonate rock dissolution using a pore-scale lattice-Boltzmann model. They found that flow rate significantly impacts dissolution patterns and permeability evolution. Their study highlights the importance of pore-scale simulations for accurate upscaling of reaction rates in carbon storage.

Subsurface Renewable Energy and Storage

Utilisation of 3D printed carbon gas diffusion layers in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Niblett et al. (2022) explored 3D-printed carbon GDLs for PEM fuel cells, finding improved oxygen transport but challenges with membrane deformation and hydrogen crossover, resulting in lower power densities. Their study highlights potential of 3D printing for GDL design.

Water cluster characteristics of fuel cell gas diffusion layers with artificial microporous layer (MPL) crack dilation

Niblett et al. (2023) studied impact of MPL cracks on water clusters in GDLs, showing increased cracking leads to larger clusters, hindering oxygen transport. Their work emphasises controlling MPL cracks to optimise water management in PEM fuel cells.

Characterisation of hydraulic properties of commercial gas diffusion layers

Aquah et al. (2024) investigated hydraulic properties of different commercial gas diffusion layers (GDLs) using CFD simulations. They found spatial heterogeneity in porosity and permeability, with compression significantly affecting in-plane permeability. Their study highlights the importance of pore size distribution and fibre alignment, suggesting implications for optimising GDL performance in fuel cells.

Fuel Cells and Batteries

Integral effects of initial fluids configuration and wettability alteration on remaining saturation

Chen et al. (2021) explored the effects of initial fluid configuration and wettability alteration on oil recovery using X-ray micro-CT imaging. They found that secondary low salinity waterflooding unlocks oil from a broader range of pores compared to tertiary flooding. Their study emphasises the importance of initial fluid morphology in determining oil recovery efficiency.

Insights into the Impact of Temperature on the Wettability Alteration by Low Salinity in Carbonate Rocks

Mahani et al. (2017) investigated the impact of temperature on wettability alteration in carbonate rocks during low salinity waterflooding. They found that wettability alteration can occur at ambient temperatures, and the response varies with rock type and mineralogy. Their study highlights the role of surface charge changes and double-layer expansion in wettability alteration.

Enhanced Oil Recovery

Hydro-dynamic Solute Transport under Two-Phase Flow Conditions

Karadimitriou et al. (2017) studied solute transport under two-phase flow conditions in porous media. They found that dispersion coefficients vary non-monotonically with saturation and are influenced by stagnant zones. Their study provides new insights into the hydrodynamics of transport in multiphase systems.

A transport phase diagram for pore-level correlated porous media

Babaei and Niasar (2016) investigated the impact of pore-level correlation length on solute transport in porous media using pore-network modeling. They found that increased correlation length reduces the range of mixed advection-diffusion regimes and significantly enhances dispersion coefficients. Their study highlights the importance of incorporating micro-scale correlation lengths into predictive models for accurate transport simulations.

Soil, Groundwater, and Contaminant Transport

Interplay of pore geometry and wettability in immiscible displacement dynamics and entry capillary pressure

Zhou et al. (2024) explored the interplay of pore geometry and wettability on immiscible displacement dynamics. They found that intermediate wettability can lead to curvature reversal and enhanced displacement efficiency, emphasising the need for 3D geometry in predictive models.

Impact of Displacement Direction Relative to Heterogeneity on Averaged Capillary Pressure-Saturation Curves

Shokri et al. (2022) investigated the impact of flow direction on capillary pressure-saturation curves in heterogeneous porous media. They found non-monotonic trends and significant flow rate dependency, highlighting gaps in upscaling capillary pressure models for heterogeneous systems.

Trapping and hysteresis in two-phase flow in porous media

Niasar et al. (2013) studied trapping and hysteresis in two-phase flow using pore-network modeling. They identified "reversible corner filling" as a key mechanism affecting fluid connectivity and trapping, challenging existing macroscopic models.

Fundamentals of Multiphase Flow and Transport in Porous Media

Anomalies of solute transport in flow of shear-thinning fluids in heterogeneous porous media

Omrani et al. (2024) investigated solute transport in shear-thinning fluids through heterogeneous porous media, revealing non-monotonic dispersivity dependence on shear rate and Péclet number. Their study highlights the significant deviation from Newtonian fluid behavior, suggesting implications for large-scale solute transport modeling.

Upscaling Hydrodynamic Dispersion in Non-Newtonian FluidFlow Through Porous Media

An et al. (2022) explored hydrodynamic dispersion in non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media, finding non-monotonic dispersivity with shear rate. Their study emphasises the role of fluid rheology and pore-scale correlations, suggesting enhanced fingering and transport complexity in shear-thinning fluids.

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.

Publications

A complete list of publications is available on the Google Scholar profile of Prof. Vahid Niasar, link: .

Testimonial of IMPRES alumni

Since 2014, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several talented PhD students and PDRA staff in IMPRES group.

The three years that I spent working with Prof. Niasar and the IMPRES group and the later continuous collaborative work, have been a pure pleasure on all levels. Serious scientific work is being done, including collaborations with renowned (inter-)national partners, in combination with a social and friendly environment, promoting all aspects of a professional well-being.

Dr Nikolaos Karadimitriou

Former PDRA during 2014-2017; Now

A collaborative, supportive environment with culture of curiosity and adventuring in the unknown with enthusiasm. It was a nice mix of science and socials.

Dr Rimsha Aziz

Former PhD student during 2015-2018; Now

During my time in IMPRES, I had the opportunity to improve my skills, develop new ones under Prof. Vahid Niasar’s supervision. I was part of a highly talented team with a wide array of different skills and a keen eye for quality research.

Dr Omar Emmanuel Godinez Brizuela

Former MPhil and PhD student during 2015-2020; Now

The experience in IMPRES group was great and eye-opening, and the chance to go to the Diamond Light Source twice was a cherished moment. Above all, the word of wisdom that I gain throughout my PhD journey is ‘Understand the subject matter and never memorize’

Dr Sharul Nizam Hasan

Former PhD student during 2016-2020, Now

As a post-doc, IMPRES was where I transitioned from being a research student to an independent academic starting a faculty position a year after my PhD. Along the way we produced excellent soil sustainability research working with groups across the North Sea.

Dr Daniel Magnone

Former postdoctoral researcher during 2017-2018; Now

Being part of the collaborative modelling group enhanced my exploratory research into novel concepts for predicting polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance. The connections I developed here have had long lasting impact on my career going forward.

Dr Daniel Niblett

Former PhD student during 2017-2021; Now

During my time at IMPRES as a PhD student I had the chance to work on both modelling and experimental aspects of flow and transport in porous media. I really enjoyed IMPRES dynamic, friendly, supportive, and collaborative environment.

Dr Hamidreza Erfani

Former PhD student during 2017-2020; Now

Being a part of IMPRES group is a fantastic and impressive experience. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all group members, especially Professor Vahid Niasar, for their solid support.

Dr Senyou An

Former PhD student during 2018-2021; Now

I spent two years in IMPRES group. During this time, I published in reputable journals and improved my research skills a lot. I would thank Prof Niasar for his leadership and huge support. I would also cherish the happy memories with the colleagues. I wish that I could always be in IMPRES.

Dr Yongqiang Chen

Former PDRA during 2019-2021; Now

In the IMPRES group, I did a microfluidic visualisation experiment as part of my PhD research. These investigations assisted me in gaining a fundamental understanding of the flow of polymeric non-Newtonian fluids at the pore scale and enhancing the numerical approach.

Dr Takshak Shende

Former PhD student during 2019-2022; Now

During my time as a postdoctoral researcher at the IMPRES group, I embarked on an incredible journey that profoundly shaped my career. The experience was nothing short of fantastic, as it provided me with a rich and vibrant environment for academic growth and personal development.

Dr Mohammad Javad Shojaei

Former PDRA during 2020-2021; Now

IMPRES exemplifies collaborative research and innovative thinking. Learning to critique my own work before external feedback, was a key lesson. Our teamwork culture and diversity of research topics made every interaction a learning opportunity. We celebrated friendship while exchanging ideas that transcended disciplinary boundaries.

Dr Javad Shokri

Former PhD (2019-2023); Now

Contact Us

Please note the postal address is different than the visiting address.

Postal Address

Prof Vahid Niasar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, UK

Visiting Address

Office 53, Core 3, Floor 5, Engineering Building A, Booth Street East, M13 9SS, Manchester, UK