Suspension Mechanics@IITB

spheroids in stresslet flow
ChatGPT rendition of spheroids acting as stresslets

Our group studies the dynamics of particles suspended in fluid flows — a key problem in understanding the microphysics of complex suspensions. Such systems are found across nature and industry, ranging from blood and pulp suspensions all the way to Cirrus clouds that play a crucial role in the earth-atmosphere radiation budget. We use theoretical models and numerical simulations to investigate how particle motion and orientation influences the bulk properties of a suspension. Our research lies at the intersection of fluid mechanics, applied mathematics and computational physics, aiming to bridge microscopic particle behavior with macroscopic flow phenomena.

Research Themes

(current, but not limited to)

  • Microhydrodynamics & low Reynolds number flows: Studying the motion of particles, using applied mathematics, in canonical flows; better understanding of suspension mechanics. References- PhD Thesis, Prateek Anand, 2022.
  • Migration of particles in channel flows: Transverse migration of anisotropic particles, drops, vesicles in pressure-driven channel flows with rigid/flexible walls; useful for particle sorting applications in medical diagnostics, inductry etc. References- 1) Reference 1, P. Anand & G. Subramanian, 2023. 2) Reference 2, P. Anand & G. Subramanian, 2023. 3) Reference 3, P. Anand & G. Subramanian, 2024.
  • Motion of anisotropic particles in Turbulence: Collision of anisotropic particles translating and rotating in turbulent flows; useful in industry and nature. References- 1) Reference 1, P. Anand & G. Subramanian, 2020. 2) Reference 2, P. Anand & G. Subramanian, 2025.
  • Hydrodynamics of squirmers and ciliated microorganisms: Mathematical representation of biological taxis (responses to light, gravity, or chemicals) for the microorganisms. A recent review in this field: ARFM, Ishikawa, 2024.
  • Homotopy Analysis methods in fluid dynamics: Going beyond perturbative methods for studying particle motion in fluid flows; opens up new avenues for analytical studies in fluid dynamics. This method was first discussed in: Book, S Liao, 2003.
Recruiting PhD Students!
Two fully funded TAP PhD positions are available in the Suspension Mechanics Group under ongoing Institute Seed Grant and ANRF Early Career Research Grant (ECRG) supported projects. Candidates interested in fluid mechanics, particle dynamics, and transport phenomena are encouraged to get in touch.
Apply / Contact →

news

Apr 10, 2026 Received the ANRF Early Career Research Grant (ECRG)!
Mar 12, 2026 Invited talk Inertial migration of spheroids in channel flow at the 3rd MSYIM, 2026 held at IIT Kanpur.
Aug 29, 2025 Joined IIT Bombay as an assistant professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering. To new beginnings!

selected publications

  1. Arxiv
    Inertial migration of slender prolate and thin oblate spheroids in plane Poiseuille flow
    Prateek Anand and Ganesh Subramanian
    arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.00594, 2025
    arXiv Bib
  2. J. Fluid Mech.
    Pair statistics of oblate spheroids settling in a turbulent flow
    Prateek Anand and Samriddhi Sankar Ray
    Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 2025
    DOI Bib