Martin Wörner

Dr. Martin Wörner is a Senior Researcher and Head of the Multiphase Flow Group at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), affiliated with the Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT). He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Dr.-Ing.) from the University of Karlsruhe (1994), with a thesis on turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection. His work spans over 30 years in multiphase flow dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and reaction engineering.

Education:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Dr.-Ing.), University Karlsruhe (1994)
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.), University Karlsruhe (1989)

Research Interests:

Wörner’s research focuses on multiphase transport phenomena, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of single and two-phase flows, residence time distribution theory, and turbulence modeling. He has pioneered numerical methods for simulating complex multiphase systems, including Taylor flow, bubble column dynamics, and droplet impact mechanics. His work integrates experimental validation with advanced numerical techniques such as phase-field methods and volume-of-fluid approaches.

Teaching & Academic Contributions:

He teaches advanced CFD courses on multiphase flows at KIT and co-lectures international training courses on ERCOFTAC Best Practice Guidance. Notable contributions include co-initiating the DFG Priority Programme 1506 on Transport Processes at Fluidic Interfaces (2010–2016) and serving as an International Subject Editor for Applied Mathematical Modelling.

Awards & Recognition:

• Redtenbacher Award (1989) – Best diploma thesis in mechanical engineering
• Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing for Chemical Engineering Science (2018)
• Assigned Member of DECHEMA/VDI Section on Computational Fluid Dynamics (2020–present)

Lab & Collaborations:

His group collaborates internationally on projects involving CFD for dispersed multiphase flows, with applications in catalytic reactors, emission control, and microfluidics. Key tools include OpenFOAM® and custom numerical frameworks for phase-field simulations.