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Home  /  Faculty  /  John F. Brady

John F. Brady

Research Summary
Fluid mechanics and transport processes; Complex and multiphase fluids
Profile

Dual Affiliation with Division of Engineering and Applied Science

Assistant: Matt Buga

The Brady group's research interests are in fluid mechanics and transport processes, with a special interest in problems at the interface between continuum mechanics and statistical mechanics. One area of research concerns fundamental studies of complex fluids.

Complex fluids is a generic label for materials that are composed of microstructural elements that interact via colloidal, hydrodynamic, and Brownian forces. Familiar examples of such fluids are suspensions, colloidal dispersions, liquid crystals, ferrofluids, electrorheological fluids, and polymer solutions and melts. In these systems the basic question is one of understanding and predicting the relationship between the material's microstructure and its macroscopic properties.

To carry out this task, we have developed a novel computational method known as Stokesian Dynamics that allows us to make quantitative predictions of the structure-properties relations under processing conditions. These numerical experiments have opened up a new approach to study complex fluids and, combined with analytical statistical mechanical theories, are leading the way to the rational design and use of complex fluids.

Publications

For a complete publications list, see feeds.library.caltech.edu
2025-26
ChE 151 ab. Physical and Chemical Rate Processes. 12 units (3-0-9); first, second terms, 2025-26. The foundations of heat, mass, and momentum transfer for single and multiphase fluids will be developed. Governing differential equations; laminar flow of incompressible fluids at low and high Reynolds numbers; forced and free convective heat and mass transfer, diffusion, and dispersion. Emphasis will be placed on physical understanding, scaling, and formulation and solution of boundary-value problems. Applied mathematical techniques will be developed and used throughout the course.
Instructor: Brady
2022-23
ChE 151 ab. Physical and Chemical Rate Processes. 12 units (3-0-9); second, third terms, 2022-23. The foundations of heat, mass, and momentum transfer for single and multiphase fluids will be developed. Governing differential equations; laminar flow of incompressible fluids at low and high Reynolds numbers; forced and free convective heat and mass transfer, diffusion, and dispersion. Emphasis will be placed on physical understanding, scaling, and formulation and solution of boundary-value problems. Applied mathematical techniques will be developed and used throughout the course.
Instructor: Brady
2019-20
ChE 151 ab. Physical and Chemical Rate Processes. 12 units (3-0-9); second, third terms, 2019-20. The foundations of heat, mass, and momentum transfer for single and multiphase fluids will be developed. Governing differential equations; laminar flow of incompressible fluids at low and high Reynolds numbers; forced and free convective heat and mass transfer, diffusion, and dispersion. Emphasis will be placed on physical understanding, scaling, and formulation and solution of boundary-value problems. Applied mathematical techniques will be developed and used throughout the course.
Instructor: Brady
ChE 174. Special Topics in Transport Phenomena. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2019-20. Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 and ChE 151 ab or instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit. Advanced problems in heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Introduction to mechanics of complex fluids; physicochemical hydrodynamics; microstructured fluids; colloidal dispersions and active matter. Other topics may be discussed depending on class needs and interests.
Instructor: Brady