International Conference on Numerical Combustion (ICNC)

The International Conference on Numerical Combustion (ICNC) is one of the true highlights in my calendar every two years. The program is focused, the discussions stimulating and purposeful — three days that feel like a big family reunion of the combustion community.

STFS and RSM Team

It is a long-standing tradition that our institute Simulation of Reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems (STFS), TU Darmstadt, together with Reaktive Strömungen und Messtechnik (RSM), TU Darmstadt, led by Andreas Dreizler, holds a one-week retreat in the Darmstädter Haus in Kleinwalsertal.

Lecture re-designed

Right before the new semester kicks off — with our completely redesigned course Chemically Reactive Flows – Theory and Practice with Python [1] — a quote on my coffee mug caught my attention (see pictures [2]):

A milestone that makes me truly proud as a mentor

A major milestone on this path is an ERC Starting Grant. Congratulations to Arne Scholtissek for being awarded the ERC Starting Grant “Protocol for data-driven Manifold generation, validation, and utilization in high-fidelity combustion simulations – ProtoMan”.

(or why thinking inside a box can be key to getting out of it)

It was a pleasure to welcome Thomas Howarth from the Institute for Combustion Technology, RWTH Aachen University, to Darmstadt. His talk Lean Premixed Hydrogen Flames: From Laminar Foundations to Turbulent Jets sparked lively discussions.

(What are Transfer Projects? Why are they important? What’s our topic?)

German Research Foundation has approved my Transfer Project “Modelling of Flow–Flame–Cooling-Air Interaction under Technically Relevant Conditions”. The project is now part of the Collaborative Research Centre / Transregio 150 “Turbulent, Chemically Reacting Multiphase Flows Near Walls” (speaker: Andreas Dreizler) of Technische Universität Darmstadt and Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT).

Visit from Prof. Bassam Dally

Innovation Award Prize

We are delighted that our paper “ Comprehensive Modeling of the Cause-And-Effect Chain in Aero-Engine Combustor Simulations: From Primary Breakup to Soot Formation ” has been awarded First Prize in the Publications category at the Rolls-Royce Deutschland Innovation Awards 2025.

Conference Highlights

Four researchers from Simulation of reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems (STFS), TU Darmstadt contributed to the ASME Turbo Expo 2025 in Memphis. Among the many innovative topics, hydrogen combustion received notable attention, reflecting its growing importance in the field and its key role on the way toward decarbonization.

New publication

Fundamental Research with Practical Impact – Supported by the DFG Priority Programme SPP 2419 HyCAM

Off-topic

Meme of the week – only for CFD people ….

New publication

Analyzing Iron Dust Bunsen Flames using Numerical Simulations by Thijs Hazenberg, Daniel Braig, Michael Fedoryk, Johannes Mich, Fabian Hagen, Stefan Harth, Björn Stelzner, Arne Scholtissek, Dimosthenis Trimis & myself.

Thermodynamics Lecture

Today's Thermodynamics Lecture Ended with a Heroic Question What would Captain America (or Tux as a Marvel hero) say if a hydrogen flame hit his shield?

Highlights

Our paper “Comprehensive Modeling of the Cause-and-Effect Chain in Aero-Engine Combustor Simulations: From Primary Breakup to Soot Formation” was awarded Runner-up for Best Doctorate Paper 2025.

Experience Report

I have had the pleasure of contributing to the Turbulent Combustion lecture series at the von Karman Institute for many years. It has become a renowned forum for presenting cutting-edge combustion research to the next generation of scientists.