PPPL

Saurabh Saxena

Saurabh Saxena is an Associate Research Physicist in the Theory Department at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). His academic journey began with a B.Tech in Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in 2012, followed by an MS in Ocean Engineering from the University of Florida in 2014. Continuing his academic pursuits, he received both an MS (2019) and a PhD (2023) in Mechanical Engineering from the Florida State University (FSU). His doctoral research focused on the “Transport phenomena in diurnally varying environments with complex terrains and geometries”, encompassing a thorough analysis of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and mass transport. This investigation involved the development of multiscale and multi-physics computational models, detailed analyses of turbulence dynamics and dispersion phenomena, as well as comprehensive energy and water balance analysis in and over complex terrains under spatiotemporally varying environmental conditions.

At PPPL, he is working with Dr. Adelle Wright and Dr. Nate Ferraro towards enabling whole-device modeling for fusion plasmas in stellarators. Saurabh's specific focus involves the integration of new physics-based models for bootstrap current into the extended magnetohydrodynamic code M3D-C1. In parallel, he is dedicated to enhancing the foundational code infrastructure to foster seamless interoperability across existing magnetohydrodynamic codes.

Papers
  • "A Model for Predicting Ignition Potential of Complex Fuel in Diurnally Variable Environment"
    S. Saxena, R. R. Dubey, and N. Yaghoobian, Fire Technology, 1-41 (2023)
  • "Diurnal Surface Heating and Roof Material Effects on Urban Pollution Dispersion: A Coupled Large-eddy Simulation and Surface Energy Balance Analysis"
    S. Saxena and N. Yaghoobian, Boundary Layer Meteorology 184, 143-171 (2022)
  • "Stratification effects on flow and scalar transport through a deep cavity: A bioinspired examination"
    S. Saxena and N. Yaghoobian, Physics of Fluid 32, 1 (2020)