Kamran Alba, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Office 232, Cullen College of Engineering 3

Phone 713-743-7368

Fax 713-743-4032

Email kalba [at] uh.edu

Education

University of British Columbia, Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D., 2013

Other Appointments

Director of Complex Fluids Lab
Joint appointment with the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Associate editor, Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics journal

Professional Experience

Associate Professor (2021-present), Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor (2015-2021), Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
NSERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2014), Department of Chemical Engineering, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
Research Fellow (2014), Schlumberger Ltd., Copenhagen, Denmark
Teaching Fellow (2014), Department of Mathematics, UBC, Vancouver, Canada
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2013-2014), Department of Mechanical Engineering, UBC, Vancouver, Canada

Professional Service & Affiliations

Reviewer

Journals

Grant Proposals

Classes

Courses Taught at University of Houston

Research Interests

Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Rheology, Complex Non-Newtonian Fluid Flows, Suspensions, Multiphase, Displacements & Buoyant Flows
Thin-Film Flow Modelling & Stability Analysis
Coating & Co-Extrusion Flows

Patents

K. Alba, N. Mirzaeian and V. Balan. Adjustable particle separator system and method of using same. U.S. Patent No. US,11,406,918,B2. [Link]

(Advisees Underlined)

Awards & Honors

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship (NSERC-PDF) (Mar. 2014)
Jaya-Jayant prize, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (July 2010)

Refereed Journal Papers (advisees are underlined)

B. Gyawali, K. Bentley, A. Hosseini, R. Haghnazar, D. Roach, P. Akula, K. Alba, and V. Nasir. Predicting printing height in direct ink writing of wood-clay composites using explainable machine learning. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. (2025), 1-17. [Link]
B. Gyawali, R. Haghnazar, P. Akula, K. Alba, and V. Nasir. A review on 3D printing with clay and sawdust/natural fibers: Printability, rheology, properties, and applications. Results Eng. 24, (2024), 103024 (1) – (27). [Link]
V. Jeganathan, T. Shannak, K. Alba, and R. Ostilla-Mónico. Controlling secondary flows in Taylor–Couette flow using axially spaced superhydrophobic surfaces. J. Fluid Mech. 969, (2023), A18 (1) - (24). [Link]
V. Jeganathan, K. Alba, and R. Ostilla-Mónico. Exploring the origin of turbulent Taylor rolls. Philos. Trans. Royal Soc. A. 381, (2023), 20220130 (1) - (13) (invited paper for theme issue on Taylor-Couette and related flows, the centennial of Taylor's seminal Philos. Trans. paper) [Link]
H. Mitra, T. Gabel, D. Williams, F. Koeck, R. Ostilla-Mónico, and K. Alba. Computational study of compressible flow through choke valve. J. Fluids Struct. 113, (2022), 103670 (1) - (22) [Link].
T. Gabel, H. Mitra, D. Williams, F. Koeck, R. Ostilla-Mónico, and K. Alba. Incompressible flow through choke valve: An experimental and computational investigation. J. Fluids Struct. 113, (2022), 103669 (1) - (29). [Link]
K. Alba. Colloidal exchange flow in ducts. J. Fluid Mech. 942, (2022), A9 (1) - (27). [Link]
V. Jeganathan, K. Alba, and R. Ostilla-Mónico. Controlling secondary flows in Taylor-Couette flow using stress-free boundary conditions. J. Fluid Mech. 922, (2021), A17 (1) - (25).[Link]
H. Mitra, P. Jayaram, A. Bratsman, T. Gabel, and K. Alba. Characterization and rheology of platelet-rich plasma. J. Rheol. 64 (5), (2020), 1017-1034.[Link]
N. Mirzaeian, F. Testik, and K. Alba. Bidensity particle-laden exchange flows in a vertical duct. J. Fluid Mech. 891, (2020), A18(1)-(30). [Link]
O. Oladosu, J. Bhakta, and K. Alba. Density-stable yield-stress displacement flow of immiscible fluids in inclined pipes. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 275, (2020), 104203(1)-(12). [Link]
O. Oladosu, A. Hasnain, P. Brown, I. Frigaard, and K. Alba. Density-stable displacement flow of immiscible fluids in inclined pipes. Phys. Rev. Fluids 4, (2019), 044007(1)-(17).[Link]
N. Mirzaeian, and K. Alba. Particle-laden exchange flows in inclined pipes. Phys. Rev. Fluids 3, (2018), 114301(1)-(24).[Link]
A. Etrati, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Two-layer displacement flow of miscible fluids with viscosity ratio: Experiments. Phys. Fluids 30, (2018), 052103-15 (featured as May 2018 editors pick). [Link]
N. Mirzaeian, and K. Alba. Monodisperse particle-laden exchange flows in a vertical duct. J. Fluid Mech. 847, (2018), 134-160. [Link]
A. Hasnain, E. Segura and K. Alba. Buoyant displacement flow of immiscible fluids in inclined pipes. J. Fluid Mech. 824, (2017), 661-687. [Link]
G. Sivakumar, K. Alba and G.C. Phillips. Biorhizome: A biosynthetic platform for colchicine biomanufacturing. Front. Plant Sci. 8, (2017), 1137(1)-(9). [Link]
B. Eslami, S. Shariatnia, H. Ghasemi and K. Alba. Non-isothermal buoyancy-driven exchange flows in inclined pipes. Phys. Fluids 29, (2017), 062108-17. [Link]
A. Hasnain and K. Alba. Buoyant displacement flow of immiscible fluids in inclined ducts: A theoretical approach. Phys. Fluids 29, (2017), 052102-11. [Link]
M. Zare, A. Roustaei, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Invasion of fluids into a gelled fluid column: yield stress effects. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 238, (2016), 212-223. [Link]
G.V.L. Moises, M.F. Naccache, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Isodense displacement flow of viscoplastic fluids along a pipe. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 236, (2016), 91-103. [Link]
K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Dynamics of the removal of viscoplastic fluids from inclined pipes. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 229, (2016), 43-58. [Link]
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible heavy-light displacement flows in an inclined two-dimensional channel: A numerical approach. Phys. Fluids 26, (2014), 122104-22. [Link]
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, and I.A. Frigaard. A weighted residual method for two-layer non-Newtonian channel flows: steady-state results and their stability. J. Fluid Mech. 731, (2013), 509-544 [Link]
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, J.R. de Bruyn and I.A. Frigaard. Incomplete fluid-fluid displacement of yield-stress fluids. Part 2: Highly inclined pipes. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 201, (2013), 80-93 [Link]
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible density-unstable displacement flows in inclined tube. Phys. Fluids 25, (2013), 067101-21 (featured in 2013 top 15 Physics of Fluids' Research Highlights) [Link]
M. Moyers-Gonzalez, K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. A semi-analytical closure approximation for pipe flows of two Herschel-Bulkley fluids with a stratified interface. J. Non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 193, (2013), 49-67 [Link]
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible density-stable displacement flows in inclined tube. Phys. Fluids 24, (2012), 123102-11 [Link]
S.M. Taghavi, K. Alba, T. Seon, K. Wielage-Burchard, D.M. Martinez and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible displacement flows in near-horizontal ducts at low Atwood number. J. Fluid Mech. 696, (2012), 175-214 [Link]
S.M. Taghavi, K. Alba, M. Moyers-Gonzalez and I.A. Frigaard. Incomplete fluid-fluid displacement of yield stress fluids in near-horizontal pipes: experiments and theory. J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 167-168, (2012), 59-74 (highlighted among 15 papers published in "Virtual special issue: Yield-stress fluid flows", J. non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 2014) [Link]
S.M. Taghavi, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Buoyant miscible displacement flows at moderate viscosity ratios and low Atwood numbers in near-horizontal ducts. Chem. Eng. Sci. 69, (2012), 404-418 [Link]
K. Alba, P. Laure and R.E. Khayat. Transient two-layer thin-film flow inside a channel. Phys. Rev. E 84, (2011), 026320-14 [Link]
K. Alba, R.E. Khayat and R.S. Pandher. Steady two-layer gravity-driven thin-film flow. Phys. Rev. E 77, (2008), 056304-16 [Link]

Refereed Conference Papers (advisees are underlined)

C. Belduque, H.B. Vargas, A. Lim, R.C. Alvarez, R. Taylor, K. Alba, and F.R. Hernandez. Analysis of mechanical vibrations applied to a thermite weld simulator. 104th Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, USA, January 5-9, 2025
G. Shen, C. Miller, M. Chandler, A. Guevarra, J. Williamson, A. Persaud, R. Barham, E. Valladolid, D. Scott, J. Newland, J.H. Lu, C. Kwan, A. Reyes, K. Alba, B. Basaran, M. El-Nahas, Z. Fan, F.R. Hernandez, H. Sarraj, W. Zhu. First Year Experience from RET Site: High School Teacher Experience in Engineering Design and Manufacturing. American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, June 26-29, 2022
K. Alba, O. Oladosu, P. Brown, J. Bhakta, and I.A. Frigaard. Removal of viscoplastic gels from conduits. ASME Proceedings of 38th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE), Glasgow, Scotland, UK, June 9-14, 2019
M. Zare, Q.L. Roberts, M. Ward, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Rheological effects on fluid invasion into cemented annuli. 9th International Conference on Multiphase Flow, Firenze, Italy, May 22-27, 2016
I.A. Frigaard, A. Roustaie, A. Etrati, J. Jeon, M. Zare, S.M. Taghavi and K. Alba. Removing drilling mud in cementing operations: a family of challenging displacement flows. 9th International Conference on Multiphase Flow, Firenze, Italy, May 22-27, 2016
S. Yoon, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Three-dimensional numerical analysis for stratified iso-viscous miscible displacement pipe flows. 23rd Annual Conference of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC), Waterloo, Canada, June 7-10, 2015
A. Shevelly, N. Podduturi, A. Eslami, S.M. Taghavi and K. Alba. High density difference buoyant displacement flows in an inclined 2D channel. 23rd Annual Conference of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC), Waterloo, Canada, June 7-10, 2015
S.M. Taghavi, K. Alba and F. Larachi. Displacement flows in a plane channel with an oscillatory wall. 23rd Annual Conference of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC), Waterloo, Canada, June 7-10, 2015
A. Eslami, A. Shevelly, N. Podduturi, K. Alba, I.A. Frigaard and S.M. Taghavi. Buoyant displacement flows of viscoplastic fluids in horizontal channels. 23rd Annual Conference of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC), Waterloo, Canada, June 7-10, 2015
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Trailing front behavior in heavy-light displacement flows in an inclined 2D channel. 23rd Annual Conference of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC), Waterloo, Canada, June 7-10, 2015
K. Alba and S.M. Taghavi. Two-layer flow of immiscible non-Newtonian fluids: linear stability analysis. 25th Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), London, Canada, May 31-June 4, 2015
S.M. Taghavi and K. Alba. Displacement flows in slightly converging channels. 25th Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), London, Canada, May 31-June 4, 2015
A. Eslami, K. Alba, I.A. Frigaard and S.M. Taghavi. Numerical simulation of displacement flow of viscoplastic fluids. 25th Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), London, Canada, May 31-June 4, 2015
A. Etrati, E. Stuart, K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible density-stable displacement flows in an inclined channel. 22nd Annual Conference of the CFD Society of Canada, Toronto, Canada, June 1-4, 2014
K. Alba, A. Etrati, S.M. Taghavi, J.R. de Bruyn and I.A. Frigaard. Removal of viscoplastic fluids from inclined pipes. Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineers (CSME) International Congress, Toronto, Canada, June 1-4, 2014
A. Etrati, S. Dong, K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Measurement and visualization techniques for displacement flows. Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineers (CSME) International Congress, Toronto, Canada, June 1-4, 2014
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Density-stable displacement flow of miscible fluids in inclined tube. 24th Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), Saskatoon, Canada, June 2-6, 2013
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Displacement of yield stress fluids in inclined pipes: Experiments and Simulations. 6th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS), Vienna, Austria, September 10-14, 2012
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. A Weighted Residual Method for 2-Layer Flows with Yield Stress Fluids. 6th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS), Vienna, Austria, September 10-14, 2012
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi and I.A. Frigaard. Displacement of yield stress fluids in inclined pipes: Experiments. Annual Transactions of The Nordic Rheology Society, Oslo, Norway, June 13-15, 2012
S.M. Taghavi, K. Alba and I.A. Frigaard. Weakly inertial buoyant displacement flows in nearly horizontal channels. Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), Vancouver, Canada, June 5-9, 2011
K. Alba, P. Laure and R.E. Khayat. Transient two-layer channel flow. Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), Vancouver, Canada, June 5-9, 2011
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, S. Gharib, T. Seon, D.M. Martinez and I.A. Frigaard. Displacement flow of shear thinning fluids in tube: The effect of density and viscosity ratio. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Vancouver, Canada, November 12-18, 2010
K. Alba, S.M. Taghavi, S. Gharib, T. Seon, D.M. Martinez and I.A. Frigaard. Miscible two-fluid displacement flows in a near-horizontal pipe. Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineers (CSME) Forum, Victoria, Canada, June 7-9, 2010
K. Alba, R.E. Khayat and R. Pandher. Two-layer thin-film flow down a vertical plate. Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineers (CSME) Forum, Ottawa, Canada, June 5-8, 2008