SIG52 Course

Surfing the Ripple: Fundamentals of Liquid Film Dynamics

20th - 21st April 2026

University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom;
in-person and online participation

Scientific objectives:

Liquid film flows are used in a wide range of technologies, from coating processes and heat exchangers micro fluidic lab-on-a chip devices.The complex physics governing these flow shave attracted the interest of generations of researchers and continue to be an active topic with major challenges for technological development.Students and early-career researchers often view this field through the lens of their specific education or research focus. This constrained perspective contrasts with the broader landscape of liquid- film science required to identify opportunities for new research avenues, design effective numerical and experimental studies, or address practical industrial problems.

This two-day course addresses that limitation by providing a structured introduction to the fundamentals of liquid-film dynamics. The programme integrates theoretical, numerical, and experimental perspectives, with sessions on multi physics modelling, dynamical-systems analysis, reduced-order modelling, numerical simulation methods, and experimental techniques for data acquisition and analysis. Special emphasis will be placed on Basilisk as a practical tool for free-surface simulations, together with discussions of experimental uncertainties and data post-processing. Moreover, industry partners will also present process case studies and highlight open research questions.

The course will take place before the 666 Euromech Colloquium: Beyond the free surface: Liquid Film Flows from Theory to Applications, which will convene leading European academics and industrial experts to discuss advances in stability, Marangoni and surfactant dynamics, thermal effects, control strategies, external-field influences, and phase-change processes. The paring of the pre-training course and the colloquium creates a focused learning pathway that combines foundational training with exposure to cutting-edge research and real-world applications. By equipping participants with essential knowledge and practical tools, the course will also enable PhD students and early-career researchers to engage with the colloquium, better follow advanced presentations, and establish productive connections.

O​rganising and Scientific Committee:

• Dr Fabio Pino, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom - postdoctoral researcher specialising in the theoretical analysis of liquid film flows. His expertise includes reduced-order modelling, stability analysis, numerical simulations, and control strategies (including machine learning), with applications ranging from coating and evaporating and condensing films to industrial systems such as hot-dip galvanising and heat exchangers. He will lead the theoretical and numerical components of the course, focusing on reduced models and machine learning.

• D​r Radu Cimpeanu, University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom - an applied mathematician with expertise in scientific computing, liquid film simulations, multiphysics modelling, and feedback control. His research spans nonlinear interfacial dynamics, wave propagation, and industrial applications such as lab-on-a-chip and precision coating. He has broadexperienceinknowledgetransferandindustrialmathematics,makinghimakeycontributor to the computational aspects of the programme.

• Dr Susana Gomes, University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom - is an applied mathematician specialising in PDE control, optimisation, and nonlinear dynamics, with applications to thin-film stability, coating, and heat exchange. Her expertise include passive and active control strategies, reduced models, and robust stabilisation methods. She also bringsextensiveexperienceinknowledgeexchangeandworkshoporganisation.Shewillcoordinate the theoretical components and link them with numerical and experimental work.

• D​r Emmanouil Chatzigiannakis, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands - is an experimentalist working at the interface of soft matter physics, interfacial rheology, and polymer–fluid interactions. His research covers thin-film dynamics,droplet/bubble coalescence, and viscoelastic interfaces. Using advanced rheometric methods, he explores interfacial stresses and their role in film stability. He will lead the experimental sessions, ensuring strong integration with theoretical and numerical perspectives.

Potential Participants, Speakers and Proposed Programme:

The two-day training course is designed for PhD students and early-career researchers interested in liquid film dynamics and related multi physics phenomena. In addition, the course will also welcome industry practitioners aiming to strengthen the links between fundamental research and real-world applications.

We expect approximately 20-30 on-site participants. To ensure effective interaction, a minimum of 15 participants will be required, while the maximum number will be capped at 40 to maintain a focused and interactive format.

The course will be led by invited experts, including several speakers participating in the EUROMECH Colloquium. It is organised over two days: the first day will focus on theory and numerical methods, while the second will emphasise experimental techniques and industrial challenges. In addition, poster sessions will be held during breaks and in the evening, providing participants with the opportunity to present their research and engage directly with the experts.

Day 1: Theory and Numerical Simulations

Session 1: Governing Equations & Inter-facial Transport

08:30–09:00 Opening Remarks & Welcome
09:00–10:00 Theoretical Foundations of Multi-physics Film Flows
10:00–10:30 Linear and Nonlinear Stability Analysis
10:30–11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:00 Bifurcation and Continuation of Travelling-Wave Solutions
12:00–12:30 Simplified Modelling Approaches
12:30–13:30 Lunch Break

Session 2: Numerical Simulations

13:30–14:00 Fundamentals of Free-Surface Flow Simulation
14:00–14:30 Accuracy of Different Numerical Approaches
14:30–15:00 Introduction and Hands-on Tutorial with Basilisk
15:00–15:30 Nonlinear Patterns in Thermally Driven Films
15:30–16:00 Coffee Break
16:00–17:00 Extended Basilisk Tutorial with Test Case Run
18:00–20:00 Welcome Reception

Day 2: Experiments and Industrial Challenges

Session 3: Experimental Analysis

08:30–09:00 Overview of Experimental Tools for Free-Surface Flows
09:00–09:30 Pattern Formation under External Fields
09:30–10:00 Multiphysics Interactions and Flow Manipulation
10:00–10:30 Coffee Break
10:30–11:30 Data-Driven Analysis of Film Dynamics (POD, DMD)
11:30–12:30 Post-Processing of Experimental Data
12:30–13:30 Lunch Break

Session 4: Industrial Challenges and Open Problems

13:30–14:00 Overview of liquid film application in industry
14:00–14:30 Liquid film flows in electronics
14:30–15:00 Thin film in heat exchangers
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–16:30 Dip coating applications
16:30–17:00 Microfluidic and lab-on-chip
17:00–17:30 Closing Remarks