Research interests
My primary scientific interests lie in the numerical modeling of reactive flows with detailed kinetics, with a specific focus on the formation of pollutants such as NOx, PAHs, and soot in flames and combustion devices. I am the principal author of OpenSMOKE++ (https://www.opensmokepp.polimi.it), a comprehensive framework for numerical simulations of reacting systems with complex chemistry. OpenSMOKE++ has been widely adopted by numerous academic research groups engaged in the development and application of detailed kinetic mechanisms.
Over the past few years, I gradually shifted the focus of my research on the development and implementation of numerical techniques for accelerating multidimensional CFD simulations with chemical reactions using machine learning algorithms. More specifically, I am currently exploring the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to dynamic adaptive chemistry and the combination of clustering algorithms and tabulation of detailed chemistry in turbulent flow simulations.
In addition, I am interested in the multiscale analysis of catalytic processes and the numerical modeling of heterogeneous catalytic reactors. In collaboration with Prof. Maestri, I have developed the catalyticFOAM framework (http://www.catalyticfoam.polimi.it), a specialized CFD code designed specifically for simulating catalytic reactors using a microkinetic description of surface reactivity.
I regularly collaborate with several research groups from renowned international universities. Notably, I have had longstanding collaborations with Prof. K. Seshadri (UCSD, USA) on counterflow diffusion flames, with Prof. A. Parente (ULB, Belgium) on the application of machine learning algorithms in combustion, and with Prof. T. Avedisian (Cornell University, USA) on evaporation and combustion of isolated fuel droplets.
Research experience
- Full Professor, Politecnico di MilanoOct. 2024 – present
- Guest Researcher, RWTH Aachen UniversityMay 2021 – Aug. 2023
- Associate Professor, Politecnico di MilanoDec. 2014 – Sep. 2024
- Assistant Professor, Politecnico di MilanoJun. 2008 – Nov. 2014
- Visiting Ph.D. student, University of UtahOct. 2006 – Aug. 2007
Education
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano.2005 – 2008
- Master Degree in Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano.1999 – 2004
Selected publications
- Cuoci, A., Frassoldati, A., Faravelli, T., and Ranzi, E. (2015). OpenSMOKE++: An object-oriented framework for the numerical modeling of reactive systems with detailed kinetic mechanisms. Computer Physics Communications, 192, 237-264. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpc.2015.02.014
- Maestri, M. and Cuoci, A. (2013). Coupling CFD with detailed microkinetic modeling in heterogeneous catalysis. Chemical Engineering Science, 96, 106-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2013.03.048
- D’Alessio, G., Parente, A., Stagni, A., and Cuoci, A. (2020). Adaptive chemistry via pre-partitioning of composition space and mechanism reduction. Combustion and Flame, 211, 68-82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2019.09.010
- Bracconi, M., Maestri, M., and Cuoci, A. (2017). In situ adaptive tabulation for the CFD simulation of heterogeneous reactors based on operator‐splitting algorithm. AIChE Journal, 63(1), 95-104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.15441
- Cuoci, A., Frassoldati, A., Faravelli, T. and Ranzi, E. (2013). A computational tool for the detailed kinetic modeling of laminar flames: Application to C2H4/CH4 coflow flames. Combustion and Flame, 160(5), 870-886. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.01.011