Guhathakurta, Swagnik Assistant Professor

My research focuses on high-speed reactive multiphase flows, particularly in detonations, shock-driven particle-laden flows, and multiphase combustion. Using high-fidelity numerical simulations, I investigate deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT), turbulence-particle interactions, and radiation heat transfer in reacting multiphase systems. These studies have broad applications in aerospace propulsion, planetary exploration, and industrial explosion safety, including detonation-based engines, hybrid propellants, and explosion mitigation strategies.



At Texas A&M University, I lead the Multiphase High-Speed Reactive Flow Simulation Group, where we develop computational models for multiphase detonations, metalized propellants, and shock-driven granular flows. My Ph.D. research at the University of Florida was among the first to reveal the significant role of thermal radiation in particle-laden detonations, demonstrating its influence on dust flame structure and propagation. As a postdoctoral researcher at TU Eindhoven, I expanded this work to turbulence-reacting particle interactions in metal combustion, while my participation in the Stanford Center for Turbulence Research refined my approach to modeling turbulence-driven combustion.



My current work explores multiphase detonation physics for aerospace propulsion, particularly in hybrid aluminum-hydrogen-air detonations for high-speed propulsion systems and defense. By integrating reactive multiphase solvers with high-performance computing, I aim to develop first-principles-based predictive models that enhance the design of rotating detonation engines (RDEs), pulse detonation engines (PDEs), and hybrid rocket propulsion.



Beyond propulsion, I study shock-driven granular flows in planetary environments, with applications in regolith dynamics on the Moon and Mars, asteroid impacts, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This research aligns with NASA's interest in understanding high-speed flow interactions with planetary surfaces, informing future landing, excavation, and propulsion systems for space exploration.



I also investigate explosion safety, particularly DDT in coal dust explosions and inert rock dust quenching mechanisms. This research, aligned with NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), aims to develop physics-based models to improve explosion risk assessment and mitigation strategies in mining and industrial environments.



By combining computational fluid dynamics, reactive multiphase modeling, and high-performance computing, my research provides fundamental insights into extreme flow environments, with significant implications for aerospace propulsion, planetary exploration, and explosion safety.