Dr. Hong G. Im is a professor of mechanical engineering and head of the Computational Reacting Flow (CRFL) in the Physical Science and Engineering Division at KAUST. His research utilizes state-of-the-art supercomputers and computational algorithms to reveal the fundamental physics of turbulent combustion phenomena, laminar and chemically reacting flows to advance the next generation of high-efficiency combustion-based technologies. Prior to joining KAUST in 2013, Professor Im held assistant, associate and full professor positions in the Mechanical Engineering Department at University of Michigan from 2004-2013. Professional contributions include serving as an associate editor for the Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, editorial board member for Journal of Combustion, and international member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea.​

Dr. Im’s research centers on the development and utilization of high-fidelitycomputational modeling simulations as predictive tools to unravel the fundamentalphysics of laminar and turbulent combustion phenomena encountered in practicalpower generation systems. Ongoing research investigations with the CRFL teaminclude combustion characteristics of high hydrogen content fuels; advanced modelingof sooting flames; modeling of mixed-mode combustion in modern engines; dynamics ofturbulent premixed flame propagation; turbulent flame stabilization; spray- and particle-laden flows and combustion; plasma and electric field effects on flames; andcombustion of low-grade fuels.​