Research
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
The team's research activity in CFD seeks to overcome fundamental challenges in simulating complex flows across multiple scales. Multigrid methods continue evolving with adaptive mesh refinement techniques that dynamically allocate computational resources to regions with steep gradients or intricate flow features, dramatically improving efficiency. High-order finite volume schemes are being developed to achieve spectral-like accuracy while maintaining robustness for shock capturing and complex geometries. High performance computing innovations focus on scalable algorithms for heterogeneous architectures, with particular emphasis on communication-avoiding techniques and GPU acceleration. Model reduction approaches, including proper orthogonal decomposition, are refined to distill essential flow physics into compact representations. These complementary advances aim to bridge the gap between first-principles accuracy and practical computational demands in applications ranging from turbulence modeling to multiphase flows and fluid-structure interaction.
Modeling of turbulent flows
A key issue in fundamental fluid mechanics is bridging the gap between the deterministic Navier-Stokes equations and the inherently random nature of turbulent flows. Three main topics are developed within the group: Closure models in turbulence simulations aim at accurately representing the effects of unresolved small-scale motions on resolved larger scales while balancing computational efficiency, physical fidelity, and robustness across diverse flow conditions. Stochastic models attempt to capture the statistical properties of turbulent fluctuations, offering promising frameworks for capturing intermittency and anomalous scaling. Elastic turbulence in polymer solutions demonstrates how turbulent-like flow can emerge at low Reynolds numbers, challenging traditional turbulence paradigms and suggesting universal mechanisms independent of inertial effects.
Hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic instabilities
One of the group's research interests is to understand the conditions under which fluid and plasma systems transition between different equilibrium states, with applications spanning fusion energy (ITER project), astrophysics, and geophysics. The group addresses both linear and nonlinear aspects of these instabilities: linear stability analysis identifies critical thresholds where systems become unstable to infinitesimal perturbations, while nonlinear analysis focuses on subcritical instabilities that cannot be predicted by linear theory alone. This requires identifying finite-amplitude perturbations capable of triggering transitions, determining saturation mechanisms that limit exponential growth, and quantifying the resulting transport of momentum or tracers.
Waves
The group also focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding and computational modelling of nonlinear wave phenomena across multiple scales and regimes. A primary aim is to investigate nonlinear wave dynamics, where traditional linear approximations break down and complex behaviours occur such as wave interactions, wave steepening, drift, shock formation, rogue waves, shape shifting, solitons etc. Special emphasis is placed on surface water waves, which arise at fluid interfaces and exhibit rich phenomenology including breaking, spray generation, wave-structure interaction and energy transfer mechanisms that are critical in oceanographic, rivers and urban hydraulics, and in industrial applications. To capture these intricate phenomena, the laboratory develops and refines methods that can accurately resolve steep gradients, handle discontinuities, and maintain long-time stability. Through this integrated approach combining theoretical analysis, numerical innovation, and validation against experimental data, the laboratory aims to provide predictive tools and physical insights that address both fundamental questions in wave theory and practical challenges in fields ranging from coastal engineering to renewable energy harvesting.
Group members
Faculty members
Stéphane Abide
Full Professor. Head of the team.
Computational fluid dynamics. High Performance Computing.
Email: stephane.abide [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Didier Clamond
Full Professor.
Gravity waves. Nonlinear waves.
Email: didier.clamond [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Yves D'Angelo
Full Professor.
Modeling and simulation in biological systems. Thermoplasmonics. Complex fluids.
Email: yves.dangelo [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Olivier Delestre
Associate Professor.
Numerical methods for fluid dynamics. Hydraulics.
Email: olivier.delestre [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Hervé Guillard
INRIA Senior Research Scientist.
Numerical methods for plasmas, multiphase flows, shallow waters.
Email: herve.guillard [at] inria.fr
Personal webpage →
Joris Labarbe
CNRS Research Scientist.
Hydrodynamical waves and instabilities.
Email: joris.labarbe [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Florence Marcotte
INRIA Research Scientist.
Magnetohydrodynamics. Nonlinear instabilities.
Email: florence.marcotte [at] inria.fr
Personal webpage →
Sebastian Minjeaud
CNRS Research Scientist.
Numerical methods for PDEs. Compressible fluids.
Email: sebastian.minjeaud [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Boniface N'Konga
Full Professor.
Plasma modeling and simulation. HPC.
Email: boniface.nkonga [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →
Dario Vincenzi
CNRS Senior Research Scientist.
Stochastic models of turbulence. Elastic turbulence.
Email: dario.vincenzi [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Personal webpage →PhD students and postdocs
Raphael Granger
PhD student
Email: raphael.granger [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Clément Mariot
PhD student
Email: clement.mariot [at] inria.fr
Lorenzo Poggioni
PhD student
Email: lorenzo.poggioni [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Dipankhar Roy
Postdoc
Email: dipankhar.roy [at] univ-cotedazur.fr
Interns
Sarah Ali
M1 intern student (alternance)
Email: sarah.ali [at] polytech-nice.edu
Giorgio Appignanesi
M2 intern student (pre-doc)
Email: giorgio.appignanesi [at] inria.fr
Alumni
- Bastien Sauvage, PhD 2021-2024.
- Sumithra Reddy Yerasi, PhD 2020-2023.
- Martino Lovisetto, PhD 2022.
- Ashish Bhole, PhD 2017-2021.
- Ali Elarif, PhD 2017-2020.
- Billel Guelmame, PhD 2017-2020.
- Emmanuel Lance Christopher VI Plan, PhD 2014–2017.
- Siddhartha Mukherjee, Postdoc 2023-2024.
- Jeanniffer Vides, Postdoc 2022-2024.
- Alexandre Vieira, Postdoc 2022-2024.
- Ashish Bhole, Postdoc 2021-2023.
- Paul Mannix, Postdoc 2020-2022.
- Feng Liu, Postdoc 2015-2019.
- Gabriele Infusino, Postdoc 2015.
- Adeel Ahmad, Postdoc 2014–2015.
- Anais Antonini, intern 2024.
- Ritwik Mukherjee, intern 2024.
- Kiran Venkata Kolluru, intern 2023.
- Nadia Bihari Padhan, intern 2023.
- Eline Houri, intern 2022.
- Sugan D. Murugan , intern 2022.
- Jason R. Picardo, intern 2019.
- Nairita Pal, intern 2016.
Former faculty members
- Pascal Henry Bawole
- Uwe Ehrenstein
- François Gallaire
- Gérard Iooss
- Patrice Laure
- Philippe Maïssa
- Christian Matis
- Stefano Musacchio
- Richard Pasquetti
- Hélène Politano
- Alain Pumir
- Germain Rousseau
- Maria Paola Santisi d'Avila
- Harunori Yoshikawa
Join the group
To stay informed about open positions, we advise to:
Postdoctoral Position
A postdoctoral position is available in the area of computational fluid dynamics, focusing on developing new numerical methods for complex flow simulations.
Requirements:
- PhD in Applied Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics or related field
- Strong programming skills
- Experience with CFD software
Contact: stephane.abide@inria.fr
PhD/Postdoc Position
Funding is available for PhD or postdoc candidates to join the ERC project CIRCE, focused on magnetohydrodynamic instabilities of astrophysical flows.
Contact: florence.marcotte@inria.fr