Ivan Uriev Vakarelski, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Vakarelski obtained his M.S. in Physics from University of Sofia, Bulgaria and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Kyoto University, Japan.

Following his Ph.D., Dr. Vakarelski held research positions at the University of Florida, USA; Kyoto University, Japan; the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Singapore before moving to KAUST in 2010.

Since joining KAUST Dr. Vakarelski lead research published in Nature, Science Advances and Physical Review Letters.

Current address:

Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University,
1 James Bourchier Avenue, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

ivakarelski@gmail.com

Research Interests

Fluid Dynamics.

Drag reduction and energy saving by introducing a lubricating gas layers on solids moving in liquid: plastron on superhydrophobic surfaces, Leidenfrost vapor layers and streamlined gas cavities attached to a falling sphere. Effect of the fluid interface mobility on the interaction between bubbles and droplets.

Colloid and surface science.

Force measurement on micro and nanoscale using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe technique: microparticles adhesion, nanoscale friction and wear in solutions. Soft matter interactions: AFM colloidal probe measurement of forces between droplets, bubbles and living cells.

Nanoscience.

Effect of the wettability and surface roughness on the heat transfer and boiling regimens on heated solid in contact with water. Nanoparticles selfassembly into functional microwire networks by evaporative lithography.

Publications list at:

Publons

Google Scholar

Selected Publications

Mobile-surface droplets and bubbles coalesce faster but bounce stronger
Vakarelski, I. U.; Yang, F.; Tian, Y. S.; Li, E. Q.; Chan, D. Y. C. & Thoroddsen, S. T.
Science Advances, 5, eaaw4292 (2019)
Highlighted in Nature Middle East
Self-determined shapes and velocities of giant near-zero drag gas cavities
Vakarelski, I. U.; Klaseboer, E.; Jetly, A.; Mansoor, M. M.; Aguirre-Pablo, A. A.; Chan, D. Y. C.; Thoroddsen, S. T.,
Science Advances, 3, e1701558 (2017).
Highlighted in Science YouTube channel (2.1 million views)
Stabilization of Leidenfrost vapour layer by textured superhydrophobic surfaces
Vakarelski, I. U.; Patankar, N. A.; Marston, J. O.; Chan, D. Y. C.; Thoroddsen, S. T.,
Nature, 489, 274-277 (2012)
Highlighted in Nature News and Nature Materials
Drag reduction by Leidenfrost vapor layers
Vakarelski, I. U.; Marston, J. O, Chan, D. Y. C.; Thoroddsen, S. T.,
Physical Review Letters, 106, 214501 (2011).
Highlighted in Nature Physics
Dynamic interactions between microbubbles in water
Vakarelski, I. U.; Manica, R.; Tang, X. S.; O’Shea, S. J.; Stevens, G. W., Grieser, F.; Dagastine, R. D.; Chan, D. Y. C.,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 107, 11177–11182 (2010).
Assembly of gold nanoparticles into microwire networks induced by drying liquid bridges
Vakarelski, I. U.; Chan, D. Y. C.; Nonoguchi, T.; Shinto, H.; Higashitani, K.,
Physical Review Letters, 102, 058303 (2009).

Research Interests Keywords

Fluid Mechanics Colloids and Surfaces