Mustafa Salli, M.Sc.


Eißendorfer Str. 38

Building O, Room 3.018

21073 Hamburg

Phone +49 40 30601 - 3106

Mail Mustafa Salli


Biography

Mustafa Salli completed his Bachelor's degree in General Engineering Science at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) from 2018 to 2022, specializing in Process Engineering. He then continued his studies in the Master's programme in Process Engineering at TUHH, graduating at the end of 2024. His Bachelor's thesis involved a numerical investigation of mixing behavior inside stirred tanks, conducted at the Institute of Multiphase Flows (IMS). For his Master's thesis, he focused on the numerical and experimental investigation of particle dynamics in a stirred tank reactor.

In 2024, Mustafa Salli began working as a research assistant at IMS, contributing to the multiphase bioreactor research group. His work involves the study and optimization of single-use bioreactors, ranging from 250 mL to 2000 L, in collaboration with Sartorius Stedim GmbH. The research focuses on characterizing these reactors with respect to key process parameters such as mass transfer, bubble size distribution, energy input, and mixing time.

Research

How can bioprocesses be efficiently scaled up in single-use bioreactors (SUBs) across various volumes? With the increasing adoption of SUBs, particularly in small to medium scales, optimizing their performance is crucial for improving product quality and process productivity. SUBs, constructed from sterile, FDA-approved disposable plastics, are designed for single-use applications, making them ideal for flexible and cost-effective biomanufacturing.

Scaling up these systems requires careful assessment and optimization of key process parameters, such as specific power input, mass transfer rates, and mixing time. The focus is on refining reactor design and operation to ensure optimal performance across different bioreactor volumes, particularly in models like the Sartorius Biostat STR® with volumes ranging from 50 L to 2000 L. Effective scale-up strategies enable these bioreactors to meet the demands of modern biomanufacturing by ensuring efficient transfer and scalability of bioprocesses, ultimately enhancing the overall productivity and quality of bioproducts.

Education

Publications

[192117]
Title: Design guidelines for laser powder bed fusion of triply periodic minimal surface structures for applications in smart reactors.
Written by: Acikgöz, S.; Wigger, C.; Merbach, T.; Kexel, F.; Maiwald, M. I.; Herzog, D.; Kelbassa, I.; Schlüter M.
in: <em>Prog. Addit. Manuf</em>. January (2026).
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DOI: 10.1007/s40964-025-01457-y
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Abstract: Additive Manufacturing (AM), particularly Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M), has transformed the production of complex metallic structures, enabling applications in smart reactors where enhanced heat and mass transfer at minimal pressure drop are critical. Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures, such as Gyroid-TPSf and Schwarz-Diamond-TPSf geometries, offer unique advantages due to their high surface area-to-volume ratios, tunable porosity, and zero mean curvature. However, their manufacturability using PBF-LB/M remains underexplored, especially for demanding applications in process engineering that require structural integrity under extreme conditions. This study investigates the design and manufacturability of TPMS structures using 316L stainless steel via PBF-LB/M, focusing on the interaction of the key parameters porosity, unit cell size, and sheet thickness, of which two are independent variables while the third is a dependent variable. Through numerical simulations, experimental validation, and process optimization, practical design guidelines are developed. In this study, the design parameters of Gyroid-TPSf and Schwarz-Diamond-TPSf samples include porosities ranging from 70 to 90% and unit cell sizes from 2 to 20 mm. The results indicate that specifically, at large unit cell sizes (e.g., 20 mm), the decreased curvature radius reduces self-supporting effects, leading to insufficient mechanical stability during printing and resulting in local deformation. Conversely, at small unit cell sizes combined with high porosity levels (e.g., 2 mm and 90%), the sheet thickness becomes critically thin, often below the printable resolution, resulting in incomplete or fragile structures. CFD simulations were validated against experimental data across various volume flow rates. This work enables a knowledge-based selection of a suitable type of TPMS and its design parameters depending on the required flow characteristics in a given process engineering task while maintaining manufacturability. In conclusion, the study underscores the need for further refinement of design and manufacturing processes to fully exploit their benefits.