Prof. Marc Avila

About

  • ab 01/2026 Co-Sprecher des Excellenzclusters “Die Marsperspektive” der Universität Bremen
  • seit 01/2021 Sprecher der Initiative „Humans on Mars“
  • seit 05/2018 Geschäftsführer ZARM Fallturm-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH
  • seit 03/2016 Direktor des Zentrums für angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation (ZARM), Ordentliche Professur für Strömungsmechanik, Universität Bremen
  • 12/2011 bis 2/2016 Professur (W2) für Simulation in der Nano- und Mikrofluidmechanik am Institut für Strömungsmechanik der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • 10/2008 bis 11/2011 Postdoktorand am Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation in Göttingen
  • 08/2006 to 05/2008 Visiting Scholar School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences an der Arizona State University, USA
  • 01/2005 bis 10/2008 Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter an der Fakultät für angewandte Physik der “Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya”, Spanien
  • 2008 Promotion in angewandter Physik und Wissenschaftliche Simulation an der “Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya” (UPC), Spanien
  • 2004 M.Sc. in Mathematik an der “Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona” (UAB), Spanien

Publications

  • Li, A. Fischer, M. Avila and D. Xu. Measurement error of tracer-based velocimetry in single-phase turbulent flows with inhomogeneous refractive indices. Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci., 136:110681, 2022.
  • Schikarski, M. Avila, H. Trzenschiok, A. Güldenpfennig and W. Peukert. Quantitative modeling of precipitation processes. Chem. Eng. J., 443:136195, 2022.
  • Gasow, A.V. Kuznetsov, M. Avila and Y. Jin. A macroscopic two-length-scale model for natural convection in porous media driven by a species-concentration gradient. J. Fluid Mech., 926:A8, 2021.
  • Verseux, T. P. Ramalho, J. Determann, M.Duckhorn, M. Smagin and M. Avila. A low-pressure, N2/CO2 atmosphere is suitable for cyanobacterium-based lifesupport systems on Mars. Front. Microbiol., 12:611798, 2021.
  • Schikarski, H. Trzenschiok, W. Peukert and M. Avila. Inflow boundary conditions determine T-mixer efficiency’, Reaction Chemistry & Engineering, 3, 559-568, 2019.
  • Guseva, A. P. Willis, R. Hollerbach and M. Avila. Dynamo action in a Quasi-Keplerian Taylor–Couette flow. Phys. Rev. Lett., 119:164501, 2017.
  • Barkley, B. Song, V. Mukund, G. Lemoult, M. Avila, and B. Hof. The rise of turbulent flow. Nature, 526(7574):550–553
  • Willis, P. Cvitanović and M. Avila. Revealing the state space of turbulent pipe flow by symmetry reduction. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 721:514–540
  • Avila. Stability and angular-momentum transport of fluid flows between corotating cylinders. Physical Review Letters, 108:124501
  • Avila, D. Moxey, A. de Lozar, M. Avila, D. Barkley and B. Hof. The onset of turbulence in pipe flow. Science, 333(6039):192–196

Institute

In Bremen, the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen is best known for its impressive drop tower – an architectural landmark of the city. Internationally, however, ZARM is a leading space research center and is strongly positioned in quantum and gravitational physics, space-related fluid dynamics and the broad spectrum of exploration research.
Within the University of Bremen, ZARM is part of the Department of Production Engineering. Using experimental, theoretical and mathematical approaches, around 100 ZARM scientists pursue fundamental research questions, develop technologies for space missions and carry out experiments in zero gravity.

ZARM also operates the most successful microgravity laboratories in the world, offering the opportunity for short-term experiments under zero-gravity conditions. In addition to the Drop Tower Bremen, ZARM has expanded its capacities with the GraviTower Bremen Pro, a completely new type of microgravity laboratory. Both facilities offer scientific research groups from all over the world unique research opportunities and are an attractive and at the same time cost-effective alternative to research in space.
ZARM is strongly committed to supporting young scientists, students and pupils. A particular focus is on getting more girls interested in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and thus helping to close the gender gap in scientific research and engineering.

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