Nicolas Francois

Dr. Nicolas Francois is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Physics at Australian National University (ANU), specializing in experimental geomaterials physics, soft matter, and fluid hydrodynamics. He leads the X-ray Tomography and Applications Research Group, combining curiosity-driven and applied research in out-of-equilibrium systems.

• ARC Industry Fellow (2024-2030): Improving Australian iron ore comminution for green steel production
• ARC DECRA Fellow (2016-2018): Biofilms in two-dimensional turbulent flows

His research spans fundamental questions in:

• Fragmentation of solid materials
• Autonomous devices powered by chaotic flows
• Hydrodynamic waves
• Stochastic thermodynamics
• Granular matter
• Polymer rheology

and applied areas in:

• Comminution of geomaterials
• Mechanics of fractured rocks
• Wave-energy conversion
• Environmental fluid mechanics

Publications reveal a trajectory focused on X-ray tomography applications, granular dynamics, and turbulence-driven systems. He utilizes advanced imaging techniques to study material failure mechanisms and fluid-structure interactions, contributing to fields ranging from green steel production to biofilm dynamics. Current student projects and grants emphasize sustainable resource processing and fundamental fluid physics.