Harnessing the power of bubbles
Outi Supponen has been appointed Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Multiphase Fluid Dynamics at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Starting 1 February 2020, she will strengthen research in the field of experimental fluid mechanics. We introduce the 29-year-old Finn in an interview.
What is the main objective of your research?
Through experiments, our research aims at broadening the understanding of various small-scale multiphase fluid phenomena, such as bubble and droplet dynamics and the resulting fast flows. An example of such flows are those induced by cavitation, that is the formation and the violent dynamics of collapsing bubbles in liquids, which can be extremely damaging unless properly controlled. Such damage can be observed in eroded ship propellers and hydraulic turbines. One of the main objectives of our research is to find new ways to exploit the destructive power of cavitation for beneficial uses in applications ranging from biomedical engineering to microfluidics.
What are the biggest challenges?
One challenge is the measurements and control of complex, ultra-high-speed flows at micrometric scales. Many of the fluid phenomena that we investigate experimentally are so fast that they require delicate measurements, including imaging, with millions of samples per second. Another key challenge is to control such phenomena in complex media, for example near or within biological tissues. This can be reached by using external driving such as sound waves or by suitably applying engineered flow-activating agents (e.g. encapsulated bubbles, phase-change agents, particles). Achieving such control will require improved predictive models to accurately describe the fluid behavior.
Why did you decide to take up the position at D-MAVT?
My journey as an experimental fluid dynamicist started at D-MAVT when I was a young intern, and continued at EPFL as a doctoral student and later in North America. ETH Zurich is a top-level institution in the heart of Europe, with excellent research across a variety of fields and brilliant students from all over the world. This was the main motivator for my decision to come back.
Why did you originally choose to go into engineering?
With a number of engineers in my family, I had an idea already at a young age on what the field might mean. At school, I enjoyed mathematics and physics, much owing to my inspirational teachers. Wanting to combine these topics with something creative, engineering was a natural choice.
You have lived in a various countries for your education and scientific career, including France, England, the U.S., Canada, Switzerland and even Ghana. How did that impact you and your work?
It has been eye-opening. I have learned to appreciate the various differences and similarities. I try to remember and apply the best habits, attitudes and tricks discovered in each place. I hope to create a truly international research group where cultural exchanges can happen.
What do you do to balance work and gain new energy?
Name an activity in the mountains and I will do it. I also like running, travelling and drawing.