News:
Dr. Suvash C. Saha Recognized Among the World’s Top Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Scientists
We are proud to share that Dr. Suvash C. Saha, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia, has been named in the 2025 ‘Best Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Scientists’ list by Research.com, released this month.
Dr. Saha has achieved a remarkable 86th position in Australia and is ranked 2274th globally—a recognition that reflects his significant and sustained contributions to the fields of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
This prestigious ranking highlights Dr. Saha’s dedication to advancing research in the following areas:
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Heat and Mass Transfer
- Biofluid Mechanics
- Energy and Thermal Systems
Dr. Saha’s inclusion in this list is a testament to the impact of his scholarly work, the influence of his publications, and his leadership in interdisciplinary research.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Saha on this outstanding achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to global engineering innovation and education.
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UTS Research Uncovers Health Risks Linked to Breathing Microplastics
Recent research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) highlights significant health risks posed by inhaling microplastics from everyday items such as clothes, carpets, car tyres, and cosmetics. According to Dr. Suvash Saha, one of the study’s lead researchers, densely populated areas like Rose Bay, Blackwattle Bay, Long Bay, and Western Sydney show elevated microplastic pollution levels.
The study reveals that inhalation of these tiny plastic particles could increase susceptibility to serious lung disorders, including asthma and fibrosis. Factors contributing to airborne microplastics include heavy vehicle traffic, friction from tyres, construction activities, poor waste management, and synthetic textiles.
Dr. Saha suggests residents can reduce microplastic exposure by using HEPA air purifiers, improving home ventilation, avoiding synthetic fabrics, and using microfiber filters. He emphasizes the importance of better management practices to mitigate microplastic pollution, noting that ongoing research continues to investigate the long-term health impacts.
The research team utilized advanced techniques, including CT scans and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to analyze microplastic behaviour in human lungs.
Listen to Dr. Saha’s Full Radio Interview HERE.
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UTS Study Confirms Safety of CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea
A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has confirmed the safety of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy used in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Using advanced computational modelling of the entire respiratory tract, researchers found no adverse effects from CPAP therapy on lung tissues or respiratory function.
Lead researcher Dr Suvash Saha explained that CPAP therapy prevents the collapse of soft tissues during sleep, reducing snoring, breathing interruptions, and associated health issues like hypertension and heart disease. This comprehensive analysis, utilizing computational fluid dynamics, examined airway pressure, airflow velocity, and shear stress throughout the respiratory system, from the nasal cavity to the smallest lung airways.
Dr Saha stated the results reassure patients and clinicians that CPAP therapy safely maintains airway stability without causing tissue damage. He also highlighted potential broader applications, such as safely improving lung growth and breathing in premature infants.
The findings have been published in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology by Dr Suvash C. Saha and colleagues.
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Dr. Suvash C. Saha Featured in The Medicine Maker: “Lungs In Silico”
In a featured interview with The Medicine Maker titled “Lungs In Silico”, Dr. Suvash C. Saha, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), shares how computational modelling is revolutionizing inhaler drug delivery systems.
Motivated by personal experience with his daughter’s asthma, Dr. Saha highlights the inefficiencies of current inhalers, which often deposit only 12–40% of medication, with most particles trapped in the upper airways. Using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and CT-scan–based lung geometries, his research focuses on improving the precision of drug delivery deep into the lungs.
Dr. Saha explains that in silico simulations are the most effective approach to studying local particle deposition, offering insights that in vivo and in vitro methods cannot. His studies reveal that finer particles and optimized inhalation rates significantly enhance drug reach to the distal bronchi – critical for conditions like asthma.
The interview also explores Dr. Saha’s broader research, including gold nanoparticle interaction with lung surfactants and age-specific lung modelling. His goal is to translate these computational insights into clinical applications that improve respiratory care globally.
Read the full interview: Lungs In Silico – The Medicine Maker
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Every breath you take: the journey of inhaled plastic particles
A recent study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has modeled the journey of inhaled microplastic particles through the human respiratory system. Led by Dr. Suvash C. Saha, the research utilized computational fluid-particle dynamics (CFPD) to simulate how different sizes and shapes of plastic particles deposit in various regions of the respiratory tract, influenced by breathing rates. The findings, published in *Environmental Advances*, identified accumulation hotspots from the nasal cavity to the lungs. Faster breathing rates increased deposition in the upper respiratory tract, while slower rates allowed smaller particles to reach deeper lung areas. Non-spherical particles were more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs compared to spherical ones. This research underscores the potential health risks of inhaled microplastics, including respiratory conditions like asthma and fibrosis, and highlights the need for strategies to mitigate exposure [1].
[1]: https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2024/05/every-breath-you-take-journey-inhaled-plastic-particles?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Every breath you take: the journey of inhaled plastic particles”
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