Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Instabilities

The Fluid and Instability Mechanics Laboratory at EPFL focuses on investigating fluid dynamics through simplified models to uncover basic mechanisms and governing parameters. Research areas include hydrodynamic instability in separated flows, coaxial jets, droplet formation, and droplet-based microfluidics. The lab employs a combination of asymptotic analysis, numerical simulations, and experiments to understand and control complex flow phenomena. Key topics under investigation are microfluidics, controlled droplet formation, coaxial instability, detached flows, swirling jets, vortex breakdown, and the stability of confined jets and wakes.