On October 28, Yuxuan “Lucas” Cheng successfully defended the thesis “Computational Studies of Deformable Particles Flowing Through Constrictions” (advisor: Corey O’Hern).
Cheng explained, “How soft, deformable particles—like droplets or hydrogels—move through narrow spaces is important for a range of natural and industrial processes. My work uses computer simulations to study how particles interact and how these interactions influence flow dynamics. This research can help improve technologies like drug delivery, where tiny particles navigate through narrow pathways in the body, or filtration systems that separate materials efficiently. It’s fascinating to see how the flexibility of tiny particles can be both an advantage and a challenge.”
Cheng will be a Quantitative Researcher at Virtu Financial in NYC. He will work on data-driven models to develop trading strategies and algorithms, leveraging skills in statistical analysis and quantitative modeling.
Thesis abstract: The dynamics of particle flows through confined geometries are crucial for understanding systems ranging from granular materials to microfluidic devices. We investigate single- and multi-particle flows of deformable particles to differentiate the effects of individual and collective particle behaviors. For single-particle flows, we calibrate our computational model using experiments of gravity-driven capillary droplets navigating constrictions. We show that deformability is the key factor in determining flow dynamics, and highly deformable droplets can wrap around obstacles, leading to reduced flow speed and increased clogging probability. In multi-particle flows, we demonstrate that dissipation mechanisms, particularly the ratio of viscous drag to kinetic friction, play a more important role in controlling discharge flow behavior.