Sauret, Alban
BACKGROUND
Prof. Sauret’s research focuses on fluid mechanics, soft matter, interfacial dynamics, and granular physics. By integrating experiments, modeling, and data-driven approaches, his group aims to develop fundamental knowledge with broad engineering applications in sustainability, environmental processes, advanced manufacturing, and energy systems. Dr. Sauret holds a BS, MS, and PhD in Physics from France. Prior to joining the department, he was a CNRS Researcher in a CNRS/Saint-Gobain academic-industry laboratory in France and later a faculty member at UC Santa Barbara. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and the American Physical Society Milton van Dyke Award.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., University of Aix-Marseille, France, 2013
- M.S., ENS Lyon, France, 2009
- B.S., ENS Lyon, France, 2007
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Experimental Physics Investigator | 2025
- ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering | 2024
- American Physical Society, Reviewer Excellence Award | 2024
- APS DSOFT, Gallery of Soft Matter Award | 2024
- APS DSOFT, Gallery of Soft Matter Award | 2023
- APS/DFD Milton van Dyke Award | 2021
- Invited participant, 8th Arab-American Frontiers Symposium | 2021
- NSF CAREER Award | 2020
- UC Regents’ Junior Faculty Fellow | 2019
- William Mong Visiting Research Fellowship, Hong Kong University | 2017
- Soft Matter Emerging Investigator | 2017
- Excellence Award, CNRS, France | 2015-2018
- Prize of the best PhD research at Aix-Marseille University | 2014
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Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Program Fellow, WHOI | 2012
ENME 202 / ENAE 202 – Computing Fundamentals for Engineers
Introduction to programming for mechanical and aerospace engineering students using MATLAB and Python. The course covers basic concepts (variables, loops, functions, simple data structures, plotting) and how to use them to solve engineering problems.
Previous courses (UC Santa Barbara, 2018–2024)
ME 125AS / 225AS – Multiphase Flow
Multiphase flows with particles, droplets, bubbles, and grains. Applications to industrial processes, environmental flows, and biological systems. Topics include dispersed particle flows, granular media, and the formation of drops and sprays.
ME 152B – Introduction to Fluid Mechanics II
Second course in fluid mechanics with an emphasis on viscous and applied flows. Topics include dimensional analysis, internal flows and head losses, boundary layers, lift and drag, simple turbomachinery, and a brief introduction to compressible flows.
ME 125F / 225F – Hydrodynamic Instability and Turbulence
Introduction to hydrodynamic instabilities and the transition to turbulence. The course covers basic stability concepts, pattern formation in unstable flows, and simple statistical tools for describing turbulent flows in free and wall-bounded configurations.