Contact Information
  • Dr Yutaku Kita
  • Department of Engineering
  • King's College London
  • Strand, London WC2R 2LS
  • Room S2.23
  • E-mail: yutaku.kita@kcl.ac.uk
  • Web: kita-thermofluids.com

Yutaku Kita, PhD, FHEA

Lecturer in Engineering

Department of Engineering

Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences

King's College London

​

Visiting Assistant Professor

International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER)

Kyushu University

Experience

1/2023 – present Lecturer Department of Engineering, King's College London
1/2023 – present Visiting Assistant Professor International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University
4/2019 – 12/2022 WPI Assistant Professor International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University
1/2019 – 12/2022 Assistant Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University
4/2017 – 12/2018 JSPS Young Research Fellow
6/2017 – 11/2017 Visiting Postgraduate Student Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids, University of Edinburgh Supervisor: Prof Khellil Sefiane
9/2016 – 3/2017 Visiting Scholar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Univerisity of Maryland, College Park Supervisor: Prof Jungho Kim

Education

4/2016 – 11/2018 Doctor of Engineering (PhD) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University Thesis: Induction of Interfacial Gradients to generate drop motion and internal flows Supervisor: Prof Yasuyuki Takata
4/2014 – 3/2016 Master of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University Thesis: Study on Evaporation and Internal Convection of Sessile Drops Using IR Thermography Supervisor: Prof Yasuyuki Takata
4/2012 – 3/2014 Bachelor of Engineering Advanced Course of Mechanical and Electronical Engineering, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN*), Miyakonojo College Thesis: Study on Heat Transfer Characteristicso of Falling-Film Type Heat Exchangers Supervisor: Prof Hiroyuki Shiraiwa
4/2007 – 3/2012 Associate Degree (equivalent) Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN*), Miyakonojo College *KOSEN is a Japanese college system which provids variety of programmes (mostly engineering focused) of 5 years (+ 2 years for a Bachelor degree) of study at a collegiate level.

Awards & Honours

  1. FHEA, Advance HE, 2024
  2. AUTSE Young Scientist Award, Asian Union of Thermal Science and Engineering, 2023
  3. Outstanding Presentation Award, The 66th National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (66th NCTAM), Japan, 2022
  4. Young Researcher Award, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), 2022
  5. Young Researcher Award, Heat Transfer Society of Japan (HTSJ), 2020
  6. Outstanding Presentation Award, The 55th National Heat Transfer Symposium of Japan, Heat Transfer Society of Japan, 2018
  7. Best Poster Presentation Award, The 10th International Conference on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer (ICBCHT2018), 2018
  8. Repayment exemption of scholarship loan for students who have achieved an especially excellent record, Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO), 2017
  9. Kyushu University Scholarship for Doctoral Students, Kyushu University, 2016
  10. TOBITATE! Young Ambassador Programme (Japan Public-Private Partnership Student Study Abroad Programme), Ministy of Educationm, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan, 2016
  11. Repayment exemption of scholarship loan for students who have achieved an especially excellent record, Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO), 2016
  12. International Conference Travel Grant, Kyushu University, 2016
  13. Miura Award, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), 2016
  14. Special Award, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Miyakonojo College, 2014
  15. Outstanding Poster Award, The 8th International Symposium on Advanced Science and Technology in Experimental Mechanics (8th ISEM), 2013

Academic Memberships

Publications & Presentations

-Peer-reviewed papers-

  1. C. E. B. M. Rocha, A. F. Campos-Araya, J. M. M. Silva Filho, Y. Kita, and A. V. S. Oliveira, "From single droplets to dilute sprays: new data and semi-empirical model for the cooling efficiency of droplet impact in the film boiling regime," Applied Thermal Engineering, 279, Part D, 127779, 15 Nov 2025. [Read]
  2. K. Yamamoto, K. Katayama, and Y. Kita, "Dynamic characteristics of thin vapor layers at substrate temperatures below the Leidenfrost point," International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 191, 105332, Oct 2025. [Read]
  3. H. Fukuda, Y. Kita*, T. Ariyoshi, Y. Takata, and M. Kohno, "Experimental investigation of spray cooling on steel plates with periodic micropillar structures: Two-stage quenching phenomenon," Applied Thermal Engineering, 275, 126870, 15 Sept 2025. [Read]
  4. Y. Kita*, K. Kida, T. Ariyoshi, S. Hidaka, M. Kohno, and Y. Takata, "Thermal hysteresis in wettability and the Leidenfrost phenomenon," Physical Review Research, 6 (3), 033287, 12 Sept 2024. [Read]
  5. K. E. Pang, C. Cuvillier, Y. Kita, and L. Ó Náraigh, "Flow stability in shallow droplets subject to localized heating of the bottom plate," Physical Review Fluids, 9 (1), 014003, 16 Jan 2024. [Read]
  6. Y. Kita*, M. Nakamatsu, S. Hidaka, M. Kohno, and Y. Takata, "Quenching mechanism of spray cooling and the effect of system pressure," International Jounral of Heat and Mass Transfer, 190, 122795, 20 Mar 2022. [Read]
  7. K. Tsukamoto, Y. Kita*, S. Inoue, H. Hamanosono, S. Hidaka, S. Ueoka, H. Fukuda, M. Kohno, and Y. Takata, "On the onset of quench during spray cooling: the significance of oxide layers," Applied Thermal Engineering, 179, 115682, 1 Oct 2020. [Read] Editor's Choice!
  8. H. Zhang, Y. Kita, D. Zhang, G. Nagayama, Y. Takata, K. Sefiane, and A. Askounis, "Drop evaporation on rough hot-spots: effect of wetting modes," Heat Transfer Engineering, 41 (19-20), 1654-1662, 12 Aug 2019. [Read]
  9. Y. Kita, C. Mackenzie Dover, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane "Drop mobility on superhydrophobic microstructured surfaces with wettability contrasts," Soft Matter, 14 (46), 9148-9424, 5 Nov 2018. [Read]
  10. Y. Kita, Y. Okauchi, D. Orejon, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Quantifying vapor transfer into evaporating ethanol drops in humid atmosphere," Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 20 (29), 19430-19440, 28 Jun 2018. [Read]
  11. A. Askounis, Y. Kita, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, V. Koutsos, and K. Sefiane, "Influence of local heating on Marangoni flows and evaporation kinetics of pure water drops," Langmuir, 33 (23), 5666-5674, 16 May 2017. [Read]
  12. Y. Kita, A. Askounis, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, J. Kim, and K. Sefiane, "Induction of Marangoni convection in pure water drops," Applied Physics Letters, 109 (17), 171602, 27 Oct 2016. [Read]
  13. H. Shiraiwa, and Y. Kita, "Performance improvement of a falling-film-type heat exchanger by insertion of shafts with screw blade in a heat transfer tube," Applied Thermal Engineering, 102, 55-62, 5 Jun 2016. [Read]
  14. Y. Fukatani, D. Orejon, Y. Kita, Y. Takata, J. Kim, and K. Sefiane, "Effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity on interfacial temperature during early stages of drop evaporation," Physical Review E, 93 (4), 043103, 1 Apr 2016. [Read]
  15. H. Shiraiwa, and Y. Kita, "Heat transfer characteristics of falling-film-type heat exchanger," Transactions of the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan, 39 (202), 1607-1610, 5 Jan 2014 (in Japanese). [Read]

​

-Plenary & Keynote lectures

  1. Y. Kita*, "Predicting spray quenching: progress and challenges," The 17th International Heat Transfer Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 18 Aug 2023 (Plenary). [WEB]
  2. Y. Kita*, "Revealing liquid-vapor phase change and thermal flows in liquid drops via infrared thermography," The 48th National Symposium on Visualization, Webinar (Webex), Japan, 24-26 Sep 2020 (Keynote) (in Japanese). [WEB]
  3. Y. Kita*, "When does hot steel get quenched by sprayed water?," Sino-Japan-UK Frontiers in Phase Change Heat Transfer and Its Applications in Energy, Webinar (Zoom), Xi'an, China, 27-29 Jul 2020 (Keynote).

​

-Invited talks-

  1. Y. Kita*, "Seminar on Multiphase Heat and Fluid Flow," Seminar at Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan, 17 Oct 2025.
  2. Y. Kita*, "Phase change heat transfer research using temperature sensitive paints," The 21st International Symposium on Flow Visualization, Tokyo, Japan, 21-25 Jun 2025. [WEB]
  3. Y. Kita*, "Predicting spray quenching: progress and challenges," Seminar at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, 6 March 2025.
  4. Y. Kita*, "Predicting spray quenching: progress and challenges," The 15th International Electronic Cooling Technology Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden, 26-27 Oct 2023.
  5. Y. Kita*, "Predicting spray quenching: some progress and challenges," Seminar at the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, 5 Apr 2023. [WEB]
  6. Y. Kita*, "Prediction of heat transfer and quenching of spray cooling," The 16.5th Seminar of Research Committee on Phase Change and Interface, Webinar (Webex), Japan, 28 Apr 2022 (in Japanese). [WEB]
  7. Y. Kita*, "Quenching mechanisms of spray cooling — from single droplet to spray level," Thermal Transport Café Virtual Seminar, Webinar (Zoom), USA, 2 Feb 2021. [WEB]
  8. Y. Kita*, "Heat and mass transfer and hydrodynamics of drops," The 180th Institute Interest Seminar Series of the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Webinar (Zoom), Japan, 29 Jul 2020. [WEB]
  9. Y. Kita*, "Evaporation and instabilities of sessile drops," The 6th Seminar of Research Committee on Phase Change and Interface, Webinar (Webex), Japan, 28 Apr 2020 (in Japanese). [WEB]
  10. Y. Kita*, "Evaporation, flows and instabilities," KAIST 177th Thermo-Fluid Colloquium, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejon, Republic of Korea, 30 Jan 2020.
  11. Y. Kita*, "Hydrothermal waves on evaporating sessile drops," TUAT Fluid Dynamics Seminar, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo, Japan, 16 Jan 2020. [WEB]
  12. Y. Kita*, "How water drops move on wettability contrasts: dynamics and a general expression based on the free energy," The 6th I2plus Workshop -Wetting and Related Phenomena-, Tokyo University of Sciences, Tokyo, Japan, 9 May 2019 (in Japanese).
  13. Y. Kita*, "Induction of drop motion and internal convections via interfacial gradients," FY2018 Seminar of the Heat Transfer Society of Japan: Kyushu Area, Kitakyushu, Japan, 13 Mar 2019 (in Japanese). [WEB]
  14. Y. Kita*, "Induction of drop motion and internal convections via interfacial gradients," First Annual ThermaSMART Workshop and International Symposium on Data Centre Cooling, Tianjin, China, 3-5 Dec 2018. [WEB]
  15. Y. Kita*, "Drop mobility on microtextured surfaces with wettability contrasts," The 122nd Institute Interest Seminar Series of the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Fukuoka, Japan, 20 Apr 2018. [WEB]
  16. Y. Kita*, "Drop mobility on microtextured surfaces with wettability contrasts," HYDROGENIUS & I2CNER Joint Research Symposium on Thermal Issues for Hydrogen and New Refrigerants for Energy Systems, Fukuoka, Japan, 2 Feb 2018.
  17. Y. Kita*, "Effect of ambient water vapour on evaporation of volatile droplets," International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum 2015: Workshop on Thermal Issues for Hydrogen and Related Energy Systems, Fukuoka, Japan, 4 Feb 2016.

​

-International conferences, symposiums, workshops & seminars-

  1. Y. Kita*, K. Kida, T. Ariyoshi, S. Hidaka, M. Kohno, and Y. Takata, "Influence of thermal history on wettability and the Leidenfrost phenomenon," The 9th International Conference on Micro and Nano Flows (MNF2025), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 3-5 Sep 2025. [WEB]
  2. M. Kohno*, T. Ariyoshi, Y. Kita, H. Sugaya, Y. Takata, and H. Fukuda, "Spray cooling characteristics of steel plate with periodic micropillar structures surface," The 9th International Conference on Micro and Nano Flows (MNF2025), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 3-5 Sep 2025. [WEB]
  3. K. Yamamoto*, K. Katayama, and Y. Kita, "Metastable vapor layer at surface temperatures below the Leidenfrost point," Droplets 2025, Liège, Belgium, 1-3 Jul 2025. [WEB]
  4. Y. Kita*, K. Kida, T. Ariyoshi, S. Hidaka, M. Kohno and Y. Takata, "Effect of thermal history on wettability and the Leidenfrost point," The 12th International Conference on Multiphase Flow (ICMF2025), Toulouse, France, 12-16 May 2025. [WEB]
  5. Y. Kita*, "Probing hydrodynamic and thermal behaviour of volatile drops impacting hot surfaces near the Leidenfrost point," The 18th UK Heat Transfer Conference, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 9-11 Sep 2024. [WEB]
  6. Y. Kita*, "Thermal imaging of condensation using temperature sensitive paints," 10th World Conference on Experimental Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (ExHFT-10), Rhodes, Greece, 26-30 Aug 2024. [WEB]
  7. Y. Kita*, "Effect of the shape of point-heated water drops on the flow stability," 10th International Bifurcation and Instabilities in Fluid Dynamics Symposium (BIFD2024), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 24-28 Jun 2024. [WEB]
  8. K.E. Pang, C. Cuvillier, Y. Kita, and L. Ó Náraigh*, "Flow stability in shallow droplets subject to localized heating of the bottom plate," 10th International Bifurcation and Instabilities in Fluid Dynamics Symposium (BIFD2024), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 24-28 Jun 2024. [WEB]
  9. K. Thomson*, G. Karapetsas, Y. Kita, O. K. Matar, K. Sefiane, D. Orejon, and P. Valluri, "Stability of evaporating drops comprising binary mixtures," 10th International Bifurcation and Instabilities in Fluid Dynamics Symposium (BIFD2024), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 24-28 Jun 2024. [WEB]
  10. Y. Kita*, T. Matsunaga, T. Ariyoshi, H. Fukuda, Y. Takata and M. Kohno, "Spray cooling of micropillared steel plates: Two-stage quenching phenomenon," 9th European Thermal Science Conference (EUROTHERM2024), Bled, Slovenia, 10-13 Jun 2024. [WEB]
  11. K. Tanii* and Y. Kita, "Hydrodynamic and thermal behavior of drops impacting hot surfaces near the Leidenfrost point," 76th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2023), Washington DC, USA, 19-21 Nov 2023. [WEB]
  12. K. Thomson*, G. Karapetsas, Y. Kita, K. Sefiane, D. Orejon, and P. Valluri, "Transient growth stability analysis of evaporating sessile drops comprising binary mixtures," 76th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2023), Washington DC, USA, 19-21 Nov 2023. [WEB]
  13. Y. Kita*, M. Kohno, and Y. Takata, "Prediction of quench: applicability of droplet model to spray cooling," The 8th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2023), Padova, Italy, 18-20 Sep 2023. [WEB]
  14. Y. Kita*, K. Matsushima, and T. Fukuoka, "Thermal imaging of condensation heat transfer using temperature sensitive paints," The 11th International Conference on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer (ICBCHT2023), Edinburgh, UK, 15-17 May 2023. [WEB]
  15. M. Kohno*, Y. Kita, M. Nakamatsu, S. Hiadaka, and T. Fukuoka, "Effect of surrounding pressure on spray cooling of hot surface," The 11th International Conference on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer (ICBCHT2023), Edinburgh, UK, 15-17 May 2023. [WEB]
  16. Y. Kita*, "Transient nature of spray cooling: some clues and open questions," Third ThermaSMART Workshop, Toronto, Canada, 24-25 Nov 2022. [WEB]
  17. K. Thomson*, A. G. Williams, G. Karapetsas, O. K. Matar, Y. Kita, K. Sefiane, D. Orejon, and P. Valluri "Transient growth stability analysis of evaporating sessile drops comprising binary mixtures," 75th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2022), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, 20-22 Nov 2022. [WEB]
  18. Y. Kita*, A. Kapoor, and K. Sefiane, "Vapour field between neighbouring sessile drops probed by background-oriented schlieren technique," 75th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2022), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, 20-22 Nov 2022. [WEB]
  19. K. Matsushima*, T. Uchimura, N. Sakoda, and Y. Kita, "Local and transient heat transfer measurement for dropwise condensation using temperature sensitive paints," The 13th Pacific Symposium on Flow Visualization and Image Processing (PSFVIP13), Tokyo, Japan, 7-10 Aug 2022. [WEB]
  20. K. Thomson*, A. Williams, G. Karapetsas, O. Matar, Y. Kita, K. Sefiane, and P. Valluri, "Stability of evaporating sessile drops comprising binary mixtures," The 17th UK Heat Transfer Conference (UKHTC2021), Online, Manchester, UK, 4-6 Apr 2022. [WEB]
  21. M. Kohno*, Y. Kita, K. Kida, M. Nakamatsu, S. Hidaka, and Y. Takata, "Investigation of quenching points in spray cooling of a hot surface," The Second Asian Conference on Thermal Sciences (2nd ACTS), Online, Fukuoka, Japan, 3-7 Oct 2021. [WEB]
  22. Y. Kita*, A. Kapoor, K. Sefiane, and Y. Takata, "Quantifying vapour field around evaporating sessile drops using background-oriented schlieren technique," Droplets 2021, Online, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-18 Aug 2021. [WEB]
  23. K. Thomson*, A. Williams, G. Karapetsas, O. Matar, Y. Kita, K. Sefiane, and P. Valluri, "Stability of evaporating drops comprising binary mixtures," Droplets 2021, Online, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-18 Aug 2021. [WEB]
  24. Y. Kita*, H. Zhang, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Water drops evaporating on hot-spots: influence of contact angle on Marangoni instabilities," The Second Pacific Rim Thermal Engineering Conference (PRTEC2019), Maui, Hawaii, USA, 13-17 Dec 2019. [WEB]
  25. Y. Kita*, H. Zhang, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Thermocapillary-driven flows in pure water drops on a local hot-spot," Droplets 2019, Durham, UK, 16-18 Sep 2019. [WEB]
  26. Y. Kita*, D. Orejon, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Coupled water and ethanol vapour transfer to and from volatile ethanol drops in humid air: diffusion model revisited," The 16th UK Heat Transfer Conference (UKHTC2019), Nottingham, UK, 8-10 Sep 2019. [WEB]
  27. Y. Kita*, H. Zhang, A. Askounis, Y. Takata and K. Sefiane, "Internal flows in pure water drops on a local hot-spot: Onset and growth of thermocapillary instabilities," IUTAM Symposium on Computational Modelling of Instabilities and Turbulence in Separated Two-Phase Flows (IUTAM2019), Dublin, Ireland, 10-12 Jun 2019. [WEB]
  28. Y. Kita*, C. Mackenzie Dover, A. Askounis, Y. Takata and K. Sefiane, "How water drops walk on superhydrophobic surfaces with wettability contrasts," Surface Wettability Effects on Phase Change Phenomena Workshop (SWEP2), Mons, Belgium, 6-7 Jun 2019 (poster). [WEB]
  29. Y. Kita*, D. Orejon, Y. Takata and K. Sefiane, "Coupled vapour transfer across ethanol drops in a humid atmosphere," The 2019 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Micro & Nanoscale Phase Change Heat Transfer, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 3-8 Feb 2019 (poster). [WEB]
  30. Y. Kita*, "Vapour transfer into ethanol drops drying in a humid atmosphere," The 2019 Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Micro & Nanoscale Phase Change Heat Transfer, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 2-3 Feb 2019. [WEB]
  31. Y. Kita*, D. Orejon, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Vapour transfer into ethanol drops drying in a humid atmosphere," 71st Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2018), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 18-20 Nov 2018. [WEB]
  32. A. Askounis*, H. Zhang, D. Zhang, Y. Kita, G. Nagayama, J. Kim, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Influence of localised heating on thermocapillary convection of pure water drops," The 16th International Heat Transfer Conference (IHTC-16), Beijing, China, 10-15 Aug 2018 (peer-reviewed, poster). [WEB]
  33. Y. Kita*, C. Mackenzie Dover, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Drop mobility on superhydrophobic surfaces with wettability contrasts," The 16th International Heat Transfer Conference (IHTC-16), Beijing, China, 10-15 Aug 2018 (peer-reviewed, poster). [WEB]
  34. Y. Kita*, C. Mackenzie Dover, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, and K. Sefiane, "Drop propelled by wettability contrasts on microtextured surfaces," The 10th International Conference on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer (ICBCHT2018), Nagasaki, Japan, 12-15 Mar 2018 (poster, awarded). [WEB]
  35. Y. Kita*, A. Askounis, Y. Takata, J. R. Christy, K. Sefiane, and J. Kim, "Thermal/flow visualisation of flows in water drops induced by a microheater," The 15th UK Heat Transfer Conference (UKHTC2017), London, UK, 4-5 Sep 2017 (poster). [WEB]
  36. A. Askounis*, Y. Kita, Y. Takata, M. Kohno, J. Kim, V. Koutsos, and K. Sefiane, "Do Marangoni flows exist in pure water drops?," The 15th UK Heat Transfer Conference (UKHTC2017), London, UK, 4-5 Sep 2017. [WEB]
  37. Y. Kita*, A. Askounis, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, K. Sefiane, and J. Kim, "Induction/manipulation of thermocapillary-driven convection in water drops," The 2017 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Micro & Nanoscale Phase Change Heat Transfer, Galveston, USA, 8-13 Jan 2017 (poster). [WEB]
  38. D. Orejon*, Y. Kita, Y. Okauchi, Y. Fukatani, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, K. Sefiane, and J. Kim, "Influence of relative humidity and ambient temperature on hydrothermal waves (HTWs) of organic solvent volatile droplets," 69th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (APSDFD2016), Portland, Oregon, USA, 20-22 Nov 2016. [WEB]
  39. Y. Kita*, Y. Okauchi, D. Orejon, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, J. Kim, and K. Sefiane, "Condensation of water vapour onto evaporating volatile droplets," The 7th European Thermal-Science Conference (EUROTHERM2016), Krakow, Poland, 19-23 Jun 2016 (poster). [WEB]
  40. Y. Kita*, A. Askounis, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, K. Sefiane, and J. Kim, "Thermocapillary flows in water droplets induced by laser irradiation," The First Pacific Rim Thermal Engineering Conference (PRTEC2016), Big Island, Hawaii, USA, 13-17 Mar 2016. [WEB]
  41. Y. Fukatani*, D. Orejon, Y. Kita, Y. Takata, J. Kim, and K. Sefiane, "Effect of ambient temperature and relative water humidity on hydrothermal waves (HTWs) of volatile drops," The First Pacific Rim Thermal Engineering Conference (PRTEC2016), Big Island, Hawaii, USA, 13-17 Mar 2016. [WEB]
  42. Y. Kita*, Y. Fukatani, D. Orejon, M. Kohno, Y. Takata, K. Sefiane, and J. Kim, "Effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity on evaporating droplets," The Third International Workshop on Heat Transfer Advances for Energy Conservation and Pollution Control (IWHT2015), Taipei, Taiwan, 16-19 Oct 2015.
  43. Y. Kita*, and H. Shiraiwa, "Study on heat transfer characteristics of falling film type heat exchanger (Effect of tube flow condition on heat exchange performance)," The 8th International Symposium on Advanced Science and Technology in Experimental Mechanics (8th ISEM), Sendai, Japan, 3-6 Nov 2013 (poster, awarded). [WEB]

Research Fundings & Projects

-As PI-

1/2026 – 12/2029 Thermal management enabling longevities in (electric) Energy Transformative Technologies (ThermEnTrans) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges European Commission PI (King's College London) | 77,760 GBP
4/2022 – 3/2024 Investigation of dynamic heat transfer characteristics of dropwise condensation using high-temporal and spatial resolution thermal imaging Grant-in-Aid for Early Career Scientists Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) PI (WPI-I2CNER, Kyushu University) | 4,550,000 JPY
4/2021 – 3/2022 Dynamic heat transfer characteristics of dropwise condensation revealed by high-temporal and spatial resolution thermal imaging Research Grant Japan Keirin Autorace Foundation PI (Kyushu University) | 2,000,000 JPY
4/2021 – 3/2022 High-resolution measurement of transient heat transfer by droplets impacting a hot surface—toward hot-spot cooling Research Grant Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Coporation PI (Kyushu University) | 500,000 JPY
4/2020 – 3/2022 3D thermal/flow measurement for the development of droplet manipulation Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists (KAKENHI Grant No. 20K14667) Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) PI (Kyushu University) | 4,160,000 JPY
4/2020 – 3/2021 Hot-spot cooling using inkjet technology Research Grant Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Coporation PI (Kyushu University) | 500,000 JPY
8/2019 – 3/2021 Thermofluid physics of drops for digital microfluidics Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists (KAKENHI Grant No. 19K23491) Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) PI (Kyushu University) | 2,860,000 JPY
8/2019 – 3/2020 High-speed and resolution thermal imaging of cyclic dropwise condensation heat transfer Support Programme for Young Researchers Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT) PI (Kyushu University) | 940,000 JPY
4/2019 – 3/2020 Study on droplet impingement onto hot surfaces using high-speed and spatial resolution thermal imaging QR Programme -Wakaba Challenge- Kyushu University PI (Kyushu University) | 1,400,000 JPY
4/2017 – 3/2019 Fundamental study on thermal instabilities in drops using infrared thermography/PIV Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows (KAKENHI Grant No. 17J05137) Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) PI (Kyushu University) | 1,900,000 JPY
4/2017 – 3/2018 Drop manipulation for heat transfer enhancement using textured surfaces with controlled wettability Support Programme for PhD Students Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT) PI (Kyushu University) | 300,000 JPY

-As Co-I-

4/2023 – 3/2026 The principle of rapid cooling - What determines the quenching? Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) Co-I (WPI-I2CNER, Kyushu University) | 18,720,000 JPY

Committees / Chairs

  1. Organising Committee, The 60th National Heat Transfer Symposium of Japan, Fukuoka, Japan, 25–27 May 2023
  2. Session Chair, "Boiling and Condensation" Session, The 60th National Heat Transfer Symposium of Japan, Fukuoka, Japan, 25–27 May 2023
  3. Session Organiser and Chair, "Wetting Control and Drop Dynamics" Session, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Thermal Engineering Conference 2022, Tokyo, Japan, 8–9 Oct 2022
  4. Founidng Session Organiser and Chair, "Understanding and Controlling Drops and Wetting Phenomena" Session, The 59th National Heat Transfer Symposium of Japan, Heat Transfer Society of Japan, Gifu, Japan, 18–20 May 2022
  5. Founding Session Organiser and Chair, "Wetting Control and Drop Dynamics" Session, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Thermal Engineering Conference 2021, Online, Japan, 9–10 Oct 2021
  6. Local Committee, Asian Conference on Thermal Science 2020 (2nd ACTS), Online, Japan, 3–7 Oct 2021
  7. Symposium Chair, Progress 100 Symposium and the Second ThermaSMART Annual Workshop on New Advances and Key Questions on Phase-Change Cooling, Fukuoka, Japan, 2–4 Dec 2019
  8. Session Chair, "Computational Heat Transfer" Session, The 16th UK Heat Transfer Conderence (UKHTC2019), Nottingham, UK, 8–10 Sep 2019

Peer Review

Teaching

-Teaching at King's College London-

2025/2026 Heat and Mass Transdfer, 5CCE2HMT, Year 2 Engineering, Module Leader
2024/2025 Heat and Mass Transdfer, 5CCE2HMT, Year 2 Engineering, Module Leader
2023/2024 Heat and Mass Transdfer, 6CCE3HMT, Year 3 Engineering, Module Leader Thermofluids, 5CCE2THF, Year 2 Engineering, Module Instructor
2022/2023 Design: Engagement, 5CCE2ENG, Year 2 Engineering, Module Instructor

​

-Teaching at Kyushu University-

2022/2023 Heat Transfer I, 3rd-year UG Mechanical Engineering (International), Module Leader KIKAN Education Seminar, 1st-year UG All departments, Module Instructor Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Labs I, 3rd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Module Instructor Heat and Mass Transfer, PG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Heat Transfer I & II, 2nd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking
2021/2022 KIKAN Education Seminar, 1st-year UG All departments, Module Instructor Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Labs I, 3rd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Module Instructor Heat and Mass Transfer, PG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Heat Transfer I & II, 2nd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking
2020/2021 KIKAN Education Seminar, 1st-year UG All departments, Module Instructor Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Labs I, 3rd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Module Instructor Heat and Mass Transfer, PG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Heat Transfer I & II, 2nd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking
2019/2020 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Labs I, 3rd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Module Instructor Heat and Mass Transfer, PG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Heat Transfer I & II, 2nd-year UG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Advanced Thermal Engineering, PG Mechanical Engineering, Tutorials and Marking Advanced Engineering Analysis and Measurement II, PG All Engineering (International), Instructor for 1 lecture Introduction to Engineering Analysis and Measurement I & II, UG All Engineering (International), Instructor for 1 lecture

Supervision

PhD

Present Daniel Gibbons, PhD, King's College London, as primary supervisor Jehyeong Kim, PhD, King's College London, as secondary supervisor
2024 Katie Thomson, PhD, University of Edinburgh, as Co-supervisor

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Postgraduate Taught (UK)

2025/26 Yan Meng, MSc, King's College London, as Supervisor Yin Hang Keung, MSc, King's College London, as Supervisor Nii Tettey, MSc, King's College London, as Supervisor
2023/24 Fabian Elsony, MSc, King's College London, as Supervisor Zihan Liu, MSc, King's College London, as Supervisor

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Undergraduate (UK)

2025/26 Hansen Jia, King's College London, as Supervisor Benjamin Bracegirdle-Griffiths, King's College London, as Supervisor Zakariyya Khan, King's College London, as Supervisor Yize Chen, King's College London, as Supervisor Oscar Yammine, King's College London, as Supervisor Wenbo Gao, King's College London, as Supervisor
2022/23 Olivia Urrutibehety, MEng Overseas Research Project, University of Edinburgh, as Industrial Supervisor Tom Boyle, MEng Overseas Research Project, University of Edinburgh, as Industrial Supervisor
2021/22 Ryan Wyvil, MEng Overseas Research Project, University of Edinburgh, as Industrial Supervisor
2020/21 Anushka Kapoor, MEng Overseas Research Project, University of Edinburgh, as Industrial Supervisor

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King's Undergraduate Research Fellows (KURF) & King's Research Award (KRA)

2025 Hannah Corkett, KURF, King's College London, as Supervisor Aidan Joaristi Allani, KRA (self-sourced), King's College London, as Supervisor
2023 Aman Vyas, KURF, King's College London, as Supervisor

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2-year MSc (Japan)

2023 Kentaro Tanii, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor
2022 Kohei Matsushima, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor
2021 Tomoro Hori, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor Yuta Heima, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor
2020 Shinya Inoue, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor Hideaki Ogata, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor Mikiya Nakamatsu, MEng, Kyushu University, as Co-supervisor

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Visiting Students

2023 Carlos EBM Rocha, BEng, University of São Paulo, as Host
2019 Zeyu Liu, PhD, University of Nottingham, as Host Li Wang, PhD, University of Nottingham, as Host Yu-Lin Chen, MSc, National Central University, as Host

Administrative Roles

2025–present Year-2 Coordinator, Department of Engineering, King's College London
2023–present Member, Health & Safety Committee, Department of Engineering, King's College London
2019–2022 Member, Safety Committee, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I^2CNER), Kyushu University Member, Common Equipment Subcommittee, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I^2CNER), Kyushu University