Key details
Dr Sam Tomlinson
Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering
Dr Sam Tomlinson joined the University of Greenwich in 2025 as a Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science. He is a researcher within the Materials Science and Engineering and Digital Cities themes of the University of Greenwich’s Multi-scale, Multi-disciplinary, Modelling for Impact programme.
He completed an MSci in Mathematics at the University of Birmingham before joining the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fluid Dynamics Across Scales at Imperial College London, where he obtained a PhD in Mathematics in 2021. He subsequently held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Manchester and the University of Cambridge.
Dr Tomlinson’s research combines asymptotic and numerical modelling to address challenges in environmental sustainability, advanced materials and fluid–structure interactions. His work has contributed to strategies for drag reduction in laminar and turbulent flows, surfactant control, catalytic systems for greenhouse gas removal and pollutant filtration. He collaborates with academia and industry, seeking to translate modelling and computational advances into real-world environmental impact.
Responsibilities within the university
Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering
Research / Scholarly interests
- Fluid mechanics and transport – instabilities and boundary layers.
- Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) – drag reduction in laminar and turbulent flows.
- Surfactant interactions – impact on stability, performance and wetting.
- Pollutant removal – catalytic and adsorptive systems for greenhouse gases.
- Filtration technologies – HVAC and industrial applications.
- Modelling methods – asymptotics, scaling analysis, spectral methods and COMSOL.
Recent publications
Article
Tomlinson, Samuel D. , Gibou, Frédéric, Luzzatto-Fegiz, Paolo, Temprano-Coleto, Fernando , Jensen, Oliver E. , Landel, Julien R. (2025), Drag reduction in surfactant-contaminated superhydrophobic channels at high Péclet numbers. Cambridge University Press. In: , , , . Cambridge University Press, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1010 (A58) . pp. A58-1-A58-37 ISSN: 0022-1120 (Print), 1469-7645 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2025.339).
Tomlinson, Samuel D. , Gibou, Frédéric, Luzzatto-Fegiz, Paolo, Temprano-Coleto, Fernando , Jensen, Oliver E. , Landel, Julien R. (2024), Unsteady evolution of slip and drag in surfactant-contaminated superhydrophobic channels. Cambridge University Press. In: , , , . Cambridge University Press, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1000 (A62) . pp. A62-1-A62-39 ISSN: 0022-1120 (Print), 1469-7645 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2024.676).
Tomlinson, Samuel D. , Mayer, Michael D., Kirk, Toby L., Hodes, Marc , Papageorgiou, Demetrios T. (2023), Thermal resistance of heated superhydrophobic channels with thermocapillary stress. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In: , , , . American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 146: 216 (2) ISSN: 2832-8450 (Print), 2832-8469 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4063880) NB Item availability restricted.
Tomlinson, Samuel D. , Peaudecerf, François J., Temprano-Coleto, Fernando, Gibou, Frédéric , Luzzatto-Fegiz, Paolo , Jensen, Oliver E. , Landel, Julien R. (2023), A model for slip and drag in turbulent flows over superhydrophobic surfaces with surfactant. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 103: 109171 ISSN: 0142-727X (Print), 1879-2278 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2023.109171).
Tomlinson, Samuel D. , Gibou, Frédéric, Luzzatto-Fegiz, Paolo, Temprano-Coleto, Fernando , Jensen, Oliver E. , Landel, Julien R. (2023), Laminar drag reduction in surfactant-contaminated superhydrophobic channels. Cambridge University Press. In: , , , . Cambridge University Press, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 963 (A10) . pp. 1-48 ISSN: 0022-1120 (Print), 1469-7645 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.264).
Tomlinson, Samuel D. and , Papageorgiou, Demetrios T. (2021), Linear instability of lid- and pressure-driven flows in channels textured with longitudinal superhydrophobic grooves. Cambridge University Press. In: , , , . Cambridge University Press, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 932 (A12) . pp. A12-1-A12-37 ISSN: 0022-1120 (Print), 1469-7645 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.990) NB Item availability restricted.