Ghent University graduate Mohsen Morshedi has been named the winner of the 2026 Ragnar Wighus Award and will present his research at the 25th International Water Mist Conference (IWMC2026) in Prague, Czech Republic, on 7 and 8 October 2026.
Award-Winning Water Mist Research
Morshedi received the prestigious award for his master’s thesis titled “Numerical Simulation of Dense Water Mist Sprays in ‘Cold’ Conditions with an Emphasis on Multi-Droplet Aerodynamics Interaction.”
The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Tarek Beji and Prof. Dr. Tom de Mulder at Ghent University.
Mohsen Morshedi said: “I am deeply honoured to be named the recipient of the Ragnar Wighus Award this year.
“It is a privilege to be recognised among such inspiring professionals, and I sincerely appreciate the support I have received along the way.”
IWMA Scientific Council Selection
The Ragnar Wighus Award is sponsored by the IWMA. Entries are assessed by the IWMA Scientific Council, chaired by Kemal Arsava of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The award continues a strong tradition of recognising outstanding academic contributions to water mist fire protection research, with Ghent University graduates once again securing the top honour.
Presentation at IWMC2026
As part of the award, Morshedi will present his research during IWMC2026, which will be held at the Grand Hotel International in Prague.
The conference is widely recognised as one of the leading international events dedicated to fire protection using water mist technology and is expected to attract between 120 and 150 delegates from around the world.
The event will feature technical presentations, industry discussions, networking opportunities and an exhibition showcasing the latest developments in water mist fire protection.
New Training Element for 2026
A new feature of IWMC2026 will be a dedicated half-day CPD training workshop focused on the design and effective application of water mist systems.
The training programme has been introduced as part of IWMA’s ongoing commitment to education and knowledge sharing within the fire protection sector.
