Personal profile
Research interests
Dr Agrawal's research expertise is in discrete and transient multiphase fluid dynamics which includes micro/nano particle manipulation, flow in porous media, liquid vibrations, heat transfer and phase change dynamics. The key themes of his research are:
- Particle manipulation: Low frequency vibrations (under 100 Hz) are employed to collect and sort micro/nano particles to develop affordable devices for healthcare diagnostics and water purification.
- Flow in porous media: Understanding flow of complex liquids in porous structures (paper, fibrous matrix, fabric) to develop devices for healthcare diagnostics and forensic crime scene reconstruction.
- Energy harvesting: Levitation via the Leidenfrost effect is used to develop virtually frictionless micro and meso-scale engines for thermal energy harvesting.
Applications of his research include energy harvesting (Applied Energy 2019), forensics (Forensic Science International 2016, 2017) and the development of healthcare and diagnostic devices (Physical Review Applied 2018, 2019).
Education/Academic qualification
Philosophy, PhD, Microparticle manipulation using low frequency capillary waves
15 Jul 2011 → 31 Jul 2016
Award Date: 30 Jul 2016
Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons)
Award Date: 10 Aug 2010
External positions
Iowa State University
26 Dec 2015 → 31 Dec 2016
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Nepenthes pitcher plant inspired bio-polymer embedded porous surfaces for oil aquaplaning
Orme, B., Jenkins, A., Unthank, M., Barrioz, V., Wells, G., McHale, G. & Agrawal, P., 12 Jan 2026, In: Scientific Reports. 16, 1, p. 1-11 11 p., 1415.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
The impact of group-based experiential learning in developing undergraduate societal engineering skills: a case study within a United Kingdom Post-92 university
Elsdon, M., Hayman, R. & Agrawal, P., 4 May 2026, In: European Journal of Engineering Education. 51, 3, p. 643-659 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)12 Downloads (Pure) -
Integrated strategy for icing/fogging mitigation with electromagnetic metamaterials and thin film surface acoustic waves
Zhang, C., Ong, H. L., Torun, H., Zhang, J., Haworth, L., Theodorou, N., Agrawal, P., Xuan, W., Chen, J., Cheng, D., Luo, J. & Fu, Y., 1 Jun 2025, In: Applied Physics Reviews. 12, 2, 12 p., 021402.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)49 Downloads (Pure) -
Manipulating fluid flow behavior in microporous paper to achieve better mixing in lateral flow devices
Ray, P., Agrawal, P. & Kumar, P., Dec 2025, In: Physics of Fluids. 37, 12, 122131.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Citations (Scopus) -
Capillary wave tweezer
Orme, B., Torun, H., Unthank, M., Fu, Y., Ford, B. & Agrawal, P., 30 May 2024, In: Scientific Reports. 14, 1, 12448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure)
Projects
- 1 Active
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Decoupled Space and Time Gradients for Particulate Enrichment, Sorting and Isolation
Agrawal, P. (PI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/10/23 → 30/09/26
Project: Research