Prof. Dr. Kerstin Eckert
Director Institute of Fluid Dynamics
k.eckert
hzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3860
Juliane Kunze
Secretary Computational Fluid Dynamics
Secretary Institute of Fluid Dynamics
j.kunzehzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3480
Institute of Fluid Dynamics
Scientific Profile 
The Institute of Fluid Dynamics conducts research on transport processes in complex fluid dynamic systems. The work focuses on
- Multiphase flows, including suspensions, emulsions and foams,
- supercritical process fluids and
- liquid metals.
The research ranges from the microscale (transport processes at interfaces) to the cosmic scale (geophysics and astrophysics) and takes particular account of multiphysical couplings to thermodynamics, electromagnetism and acoustics.
The focus is on energy, process and environmental engineering applications. To this end, the institute conducts research on questions relating to the circular economy and energy systems technology as part of the Helmholtz Association's programmatic research in the field of Energy.
News
On May 16, 2025 a new paper was published in Nature Communications, which firstly describes the generation and dynamics of small electrolyte droplets inside the gas bubbles generated during water electrolysis. The full article can be found here.
On the occasion of the retirement of Dr. Dr. h.c. Gunter Gerbeth, a celebratory colloquium took place at HZDR on Dec. 17, 2024. The image shows the handover to the new directors of the Institute of Fluid Dynamics, Prof. Uwe Hampel and Prof. Kerstin Eckert.
