Computational Biofluid and Heat Transfer (CBHT) Lab

Director: Dr. Suvash C. Saha | University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

The Computational Biofluid and Heat Transfer (CBHT) Lab at the University of Technology Sydney, led by Dr. Suvash C. Saha, is a dynamic research group at the intersection of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), bioengineering, and thermal sciences. The lab is dedicated to advancing knowledge through high-fidelity modelling and simulation of physiological flows and heat transfer processes in biological and engineered systems.

Core Research Activities:

• • Respiratory and Cardiovascular Flow Modelling:
    The CBHT Lab develops detailed in-silico models of airflow in human airways, focusing on mucociliary clearance, aerosol drug delivery, and particle deposition. The team also investigates blood flow dynamics to better understand vascular diseases and implant performance.
  • Thermal Management in Engineering Systems:
    Researchers explore innovative cooling technologies for electric vehicles and electronics, utilising phase change materials (PCM), nanofluids, and porous media. The lab is pioneering silent, passive cooling strategies through advanced multi-physics simulations.
  • Micro- and Nanoplastics Research:
    The lab studies the interaction of micro- and nanoplastics with human respiratory systems using computational particle-fluid dynamics (CPFD), supporting emerging environmental health research.
  • Multiscale Modelling and Simulation:
    From cellular-scale transport to organ-level fluid-thermal interactions, the lab uses ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, OpenFOAM, and custom codes in MATLAB and FORTRAN to simulate complex systems with accuracy and efficiency.

Collaborations and Impact:
CBHT Lab actively collaborates with medical researchers, material scientists, and industrial partners. The lab’s outputs inform product designs, support policy in environmental health, and contribute to clinical understanding of disease mechanisms.

Student and Postdoctoral Supervision:
Dr. Saha mentors a diverse group of PhD students and postdocs, fostering interdisciplinary training and research independence. Students gain hands-on experience in computational modelling, data interpretation, and scholarly communication.

Through cutting-edge simulations and impactful collaborations, the CBHT Lab continues to shape the future of biomedical engineering and sustainable thermal technologies.

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News:

UTS Study Confirms Safety of CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea

A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has confirmed the safety of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy used in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Using advanced computational modelling of the entire respiratory tract, researchers found no adverse effects from CPAP therapy on lung tissues or respiratory function.

Lead researcher Dr Suvash Saha explained that CPAP therapy prevents the collapse of soft tissues during sleep, reducing snoring, breathing interruptions, and associated health issues like hypertension and heart disease. This comprehensive analysis, utilizing computational fluid dynamics, examined airway pressure, airflow velocity, and shear stress throughout the respiratory system, from the nasal cavity to the smallest lung airways.

Dr Saha stated the results reassure patients and clinicians that CPAP therapy safely maintains airway stability without causing tissue damage. He also highlighted potential broader applications, such as safely improving lung growth and breathing in premature infants.

The findings have been published in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology by Dr Suvash C. Saha and colleagues.

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Dr. Suvash C. Saha Featured in The Medicine Maker: “Lungs In Silico”

 

In a featured interview with The Medicine Maker titled “Lungs In Silico”, Dr. Suvash C. Saha, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), shares how computational modelling is revolutionising inhaler drug delivery systems.

Motivated by personal experience with his daughter’s asthma, Dr. Saha highlights the inefficiencies of current inhalers, which often deposit only 12–40% of medication, with most particles trapped in the upper airways. Using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and CT-scan–based lung geometries, his research focuses on improving the precision of drug delivery deep into the lungs.

Dr. Saha explains that in silico simulations are the most effective approach to studying local particle deposition, offering insights that in vivo and in vitro methods cannot. His studies reveal that finer particles and optimised inhalation rates significantly enhance drug reach to the distal bronchi, critical for conditions like asthma.

The interview also explores Dr. Saha’s broader research, including gold nanoparticle interaction with lung surfactants and age-specific lung modelling. His goal is to translate these computational insights into clinical applications that improve respiratory care globally.

Read the full interview: Lungs In Silico – The Medicine Maker

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Every breath you take: the journey of inhaled plastic particles

A recent study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has modeled the journey of inhaled microplastic particles through the human respiratory system. Led by Dr. Suvash C. Saha, the research utilised computational fluid-particle dynamics (CFPD) to simulate how different sizes and shapes of plastic particles deposit in various regions of the respiratory tract, influenced by breathing rates. The findings, published in Environmental Advances, identified accumulation hotspots from the nasal cavity to the lungs. Faster breathing rates increased deposition in the upper respiratory tract, while slower rates allowed smaller particles to reach deeper lung areas. Non-spherical particles were more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs compared to spherical ones. This research underscores the potential health risks of inhaled microplastics, including respiratory conditions like asthma and fibrosis, and highlights the need for strategies to mitigate exposure [1].

[1]: https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2024/05/every-breath-you-take-journey-inhaled-plastic-particles?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Every breath you take: the journey of inhaled plastic particles”

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Nano, microplastics accumulating in our lungs: A Study

A recent study led by Dr. Suvash C Saha from the University of Technology Sydney has revealed that nano- and microplastics are accumulating in human lungs, potentially causing serious long-term respiratory damage. Published in the journal Environmental Advances, the research utilised a computerised tomography-based respiratory system model and computational fluid dynamics analysis to examine how these plastic particles travel and deposit within the respiratory tract. The findings indicate that microplastics tend to accumulate in the upper respiratory system, while nanoplastics and non-spherical particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs, potentially exacerbating conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibrosis. The study underscores the urgent need to control exposure to these particles to protect public health. The Daily Star

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Breathe easy: new research to improve inhaler effectiveness

 

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have conducted a study using computational fluid dynamics to enhance the effectiveness of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for treating lung diseases. The study emphasises the importance of patients inhaling at a “Goldilocks” rate, not too fast or too slow and using drug particles approximately one micron in size to ensure optimal delivery to the lungs. Dr. Suvash Saha, the lead author of this study, notes that while inhalers have been used since the 1960s for conditions like asthma and COPD, precise inhalation techniques are crucial for maximising their efficacy. The research aims to inform better inhaler designs and usage guidelines, potentially benefiting patients with various respiratory conditions, including those affected by COVID-19. University of Technology Sydney

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