Research

Research Goal

My research goal is to understand how transient human interventions affect steady-state indoor airflow. The focus of my dissertation research is to investigate and mathematically model occupant-built environment interactions from the air and airborne contamination distribution perspective. This novel model, called the Event-Based Model (EBM), can accurately approximate the alterations in airflow fields resulting from indoor human movements. In the future, I will utilize this novel approach to estimate contamination spread from human-environment interaction. I will expand my work into the design of an optimized and adaptable ventilation system aimed at properly distributing adequate air to minimize contaminant exposure while optimizing energy consumption.

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant (Fall 2018 – Present)

• Graduate Student Scholar for NSF EPSCoR Grant

• Visiting Scholar – Center for Built Environment, U C Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

• Graduate Student Scholar for ASHRAE RP 1833 – a research project funded by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

Journal Publications

1. Bhattacharya, A., Ghahramani, A., & Mousavi, E. (2021). The effect of door opening on air-mixing in a positively pressurized room: implications for operating room air management during the COVID outbreak. Journal of Building Engineering, 102900, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102900

2. Bhattacharya, A., Metcalf, A. R., Nafchi, A. M., & Mousavi, E. S. (2021). Particle dispersion in a cleanroom–effects of pressurization, door opening and traffic flow. Building Research & Information, 49(3), 294-307, https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2020.1720500

3. Bhattacharya, A., Pantelic, J., Ghahramani, A., & Mousavi, E. S. (2021). Three‐dimensional analysis of the effect of human movement on indoor airflow patterns. Indoor Air, 31(2), 587-601, https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12735

4. Bhattacharya, A, Mousavi, E.S. (2021). Analysis of the Effects of a Swing Door Opening on Indoor Airflow Fields - An Experimental Study. International Journal of Ventilation (under review)

5. Mousavi, E.S., Bhattacharya, A. (2021). Event-Based Approach for Modeling Indoor Airflow Patterns. Journal of Building Engineering (Under Review)

Conference Proceedings

1. Bhattacharya, A., Mousavi, E. (2022). Effectiveness of Computer Simulation Models on Learning Outcomes in a Dynamics Course. 58th ASC International Conference, Atlanta, GA

2. Naini, S.S., Bhattacharya, A., Betz, F., Dowd, S., Mousavi, E.S. (2022). History and Evolution of Ventilation in Spaces with High to Very High Air Change Rates; A Network Analysis Approach. Accepted for ASHRAE Winter Conference, Las Vegas, NV

3. Bhattacharya, A., Mousavi, E.S. (2020). The Effect of Boundary Conditions on Transient Airflow Patterns: A Numerical Investigation of Door Operation. ASHRAE Winter Conference, Orlando, FL. ASHRAE Transactions, 126(1), 239-247

Work in Progress

1. Mousavi, E.S., Bhattacharya, A. “Event-based modeling of the effects of human-environment interaction on indoor airflow.”

2. Bhattacharya, A., Naini, S.S., Dortch, M., Mousavi, E.S., Betz, F., Lautz., R. “Cleanroom Ventilation – A Review.”

3. Nikoopayan, S., Bhattacharya, A., Metcalf, A.R., Mousavi, E.S. “Particle migration in a cleanroom from occupant movements under different inlet flows.”

4. Bhattacharya, A., Mousavi, E.S. “Influence of occupant interventions on indoor airflow and contaminant movement – a CFD approach.”

5. Nikoopayan, S., Bhattacharya, A., Mousavi, E.S. “The role of ventilation on indoor quality at healthcare facilities – pre- and post-COVID-19”

Software Skills

• Coding - MATLAB, FORTRAN, R, Python, and LaTex

• Drafting and Simulation - Ansys Fluent, AutoCAD, and Solidworks

• Construction Estimation – Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Take-Off, and RS Means database

• Project Management - MS Office Suite, MS Project, and Primavera