Herman Clercx

Herman Clercx is a physicist with more than 30 years of experience in fluid dynamics. He leads the Fluids and Flows group. The focus of this group is on gaining fundamental insight in a variety of aspects of heat and mass transport in vortex flows and turbulence, including its dynamical feedback on the flow. Herman Clercx’ research interests include turbulence in flatland, where he pioneered the role of no-slip walls on the dynamics of 2D turbulence, 3D turbulence affected by buoyancy and rotation for geophysical and environmental applications, particle and droplet dispersion and collisions in turbulence, and 3D viscous mixing in microfluidic and industrial applications.

Herman always combines laboratory experiments, applying modern optical diagnostics, with high-resolution direct numerical simulations to make progress in these fields. He is currently strongly involved in the TU/e High Tech Systems Center, in particular focusing on several aspects of transport in rarefied flows and 3D printing processes, where understanding the physics of fluids and heat transfer is key in optimizing processes and product quality. He teaches general courses on fluid mechanics and heat transfer for Applied Physics BSc students. He is one of the Founders of the start-up Flow Matters.

The best breeding ground for fundamental progress in fluid mechanics are our societal and technological needs and challenges.”