James Sprittles

James Sprittles is a Professor in the Mathematics Institute at the University of Warwick, specializing in computational modelling of small-scale fluid flows. His research focuses on interfacial flows, fluctuating hydrodynamics, and nanofluidics, with applications in nanotechnology, microfluidics, and porous media. He leads projects on gas-kinetic effects in dynamic wetting, coalescence dynamics, and thermal fluctuation-driven instabilities in nanoscale systems. His work bridges continuum models with molecular-scale phenomena, addressing challenges in rarefied gas dynamics and multiphase flow.

Key research themes include the role of thermal fluctuations in thin film stability, gas microfilm dynamics during droplet collisions, and the integration of kinetic theory with Navier-Stokes equations for nanoscale systems. He collaborates with experimentalists and engineers to advance applications in 3D printing, thermal management, and nanoscale manufacturing. His contributions include developing computational frameworks for predicting droplet behavior under extreme conditions and elucidating mechanisms behind rogue nanowaves and film rupture.

Recent work includes a review on coalescence dynamics (Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 2025) and studies on fluctuating free surface nanoflows. He supervises PhD students in interdisciplinary programs such as the HetSys Centre for Doctoral Training, focusing on data-driven modelling and interfacial microflows. Research outputs span computational methods, analytical solutions, and high-performance simulations, with applications in energy, materials science, and biomedical engineering.