Investigating interfaces, bubbles, and complex flows through experiments, theory, and computation
Fluid Dynamicist combining experiments, theory, and computation
I am a fluid dynamicist interested in understanding complex flows at fluid interfaces and around bubbles. My current research focuses on cavitation bubble dynamics, combining experiments and computation to uncover the physics of bubble interactions and the flow structures they generate. During my Ph.D., I investigated interfacial flows near moving contact lines, using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and high-speed optical diagnostics to resolve the flow structure near moving interfaces and examine the role of inertia. My experimental expertise includes PIV, shadowgraphy, Schlieren imaging, holography, and interferometry. I am broadly interested in combining experiments, theory, and computation to investigate challenging problems in fluid dynamics.
Currently Exploring
Exploring fundamental questions about the nature of reality and the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
What I Study
Interfacial Flows
Understanding fluid motion near moving contact lines and fluid interfaces.
Cavitation & Bubble Dynamics
Investigating the interaction, collapse, and dynamics of cavitation and gas bubbles.
Experimental Fluid Mechanics
Using PIV, high-speed imaging, shadowgraphy, Schlieren, holography, and other optical diagnostics.
Theory & Computation
Combining experiments with mathematical modelling, numerical methods, and scientific computing.
How I Approach Problems
I combine experiments, theory, and computation to uncover the physics underlying complex fluid phenomena.
Experiment
Observe and measure fluid behaviour using optical diagnostics, high-speed imaging, and particle-based measurements.
Theory
Develop physical and mathematical descriptions to identify the mechanisms governing the observed behaviour.
Computation
Use numerical methods and simulations to test hypotheses and explore regimes that are difficult to access experimentally.
Featured Research
Flow Near Moving Contact Lines
How does fluid flow behave in the immediate vicinity of a moving contact line, and when do classical viscous theories begin to break down?
Explore this research →
Cavitation Bubble Interaction
Investigating how cavitation bubbles interact with confined air bubbles and generate coherent structures such as vortex rings.
Explore this research →Questions That Drive My Research
How does fluid flow behave near moving interfaces?
I am interested in the flow structure near moving contact lines and the physical mechanisms governing the interface.
When does inertia become important in interfacial flows?
How do inertial effects modify the classical descriptions of flow near moving contact lines across different regimes?
How do bubbles interact with boundaries and other bubbles?
I investigate bubble interaction, collapse, confinement, and the flow structures generated during these processes.
How can experiments, theory, and computation reveal the same physics?
I am interested in using complementary approaches to connect measurable flow behaviour with underlying physical mechanisms.
Selected Publications:
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Gupta, C., Singh, Y., Chandrala, L. D., & Dixit, H. N.,
Badarinath K. (2026). Vortex ring formation from cavitation
bubble dynamics in the presence of a confined air bubble. (Under
Submission, J. Fluid Mech.)
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Gupta, C., Sharma, R., Hegde, T., Sangadi, A., Chandrala, L. D.,
& Dixit, H. N. (2026). Inertial effects on flow dynamics near a
moving contact line. (Accepted, Phys. Fluids).
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Gupta, C., Sangadi, V. S. A., Chandrala, L. D., & Dixit, H. N.
(2026). Investigation of flow and interface dynamics near a
moving contact line at obtuse contact angles. Physical Review
Fluids, 11(4), 044001.
Link
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Gupta, C., Choudhury, A., Chandrala, L. D., & Dixit, H. N.
(2024). An experimental study of flow near an advancing contact
line: a rigorous test of theoretical models. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 1000, A45.
Link
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Gupta, C., Chandrala, L. D., & Dixit, H. N. (2024). An
experimental investigation of flow fields near a liquid–liquid
moving contact line. The European Physical Journal Special
Topics, 1-11.
Link
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