One Collaborative Research Center, five Humboldt grants

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables outstanding researchers from abroad to carry out research projects in collaboration with hosts in Germany or to further develop their scientific work during a research stay in Germany.

Five researchers funded by the Humboldt Foundation are currently conducting research at the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1313, “Interface-Driven Multiphase Processes in Porous Media: Flow, Transport, and Deformation”: Prof. Ivan Yotov is the recipient of the research award. Dr. Zhixin Chen, Prof. Bo Guo, Prof. Kundan Kumar, and Prof. Taras Mel'nyk were awarded a research grant.

“We are delighted that five such outstanding scientists are joining our global scientific network. Their research complements the interdisciplinary mission of SFB 1313 and lays the foundation for new collaborations and methods. Receiving funding for the fifth time underscores the University of Stuttgart’s international standing as a leading research hub for porous media,” says Prof. Holger Steeb, spokesperson for CRC 1313 

Porous media are structures consisting of a solid matrix and interconnected voids. We encounter them almost everywhere – from soils, rocks, and aquifers to biological tissues, batteries, and fuel cells.

When it comes to the properties of porous media, the CRC 1313 at the University of Stuttgart brings together a unique interdisciplinary expertise: About 60 researchers from various departments conduct joint research here, combining experimental research, mathematical modeling, and numerical simulations.

Despite their differences, all porous media have one thing in common: liquids and gases flow through their interconnected pore spaces. CRC 1313 investigates the role of interfaces in flow, transport, and deformation processes across various spatial and temporal scales. Understanding the complex interactions between fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interfaces is crucial for predicting and precisely controlling processes such as groundwater flow, CO2 storage, energy conversion, medical applications, and the transport of pollutants. The five Humboldt Prize laureates contribute their scientific expertise in mathematics, numerical analysis, computer science, and the physics of porous media:

Prof. Ivan Yotov (University of Pittsburgh) is internationally recognised for his contributions to mixed finite element methods, domain decomposition and numerical analysis of flow in porous media. His work provides mathematically rigorous and computationally efficient methods for solving coupled flow and transport problems that arise in groundwater, energy and environmental applications.

Dr. Zhixin Chen (University of Stuttgart) conducts research on computational methods for porous media and subsurface flow. His expertise in numerical modelling and simulation supports the development of robust approaches for predicting fluid movement and transport phenomena in heterogeneous porous structures.

Prof. Bo Guo (University of Arizona) develops advanced mathematical models and numerical methods for nonlinear partial differential equations arising in porous media. His work focuses on accurate and efficient simulations of coupled flow and transport processes, contributing to a deeper understanding of complex multiphysics systems.

Prof. Kundan Kumar (University of Bergen) investigates coupled flow processes in fractured and porous media. His research bridges mathematical analysis, numerical simulation and applications in environmental and energy-related systems, with a particular emphasis on multiscale processes.

Prof. Taras Mel'nyk  (University of Stuttgart) works at the interface of applied mathematics and porous media research. His research develops multiscale modelling and homogenisation techniques that rigorously upscale complex pore‑scale processes into efficient models for engineering‑scale applications.

To honor the researchers and the remarkable success, SFB 1313 hosted the Alexander von Humboldt Colloquium on 9 July 2026, bringing together the awardees and the SFB community to discuss current challenges and exchange about future directions in porous media research. The colloquium was officially introduced by SFB 1313 spokesperson Holger Steeb and by Manfred Bischoff, the Vice Rector for Research and Sustainable Development at the University of Stuttgart.