his paper focuses on the use of direct numerical simulation (DNS) in the context of spray atomization modeling. Key features of such liquid/gas simulations, which are necessary for confidence in model accuracy, are recalled and discussed together with their inherent limitations. Particular attention is given to the lack of theories relating to the determination of the smallest length scale in turbulent liquid-gas flows. To demonstrate how direct numerical simulation can serve modeling purposes, this paper discusses three major areas of possible applications of DNS. First, DNS databases were created to validate modeling approaches in flow areas where no experimental measurements are available. In this paper, this approach is applied to diesel injection conditions to validate the Eulerian-Lagrangian spray atomization (ELSA) model. Second, because models are necessary to mitigate computational costs, which constitute the main drawback of DNS, this paper proposes the development of a large eddy simulation formulation of the liquid atomization, thereby enabling results that are no longer mesh resolution dependent. Finally, once the large scale is correctly captured, it is necessary to ensure an accurate representation of the liquid structure falling below the subgrid scale. To this end, a source term for the surface density equation is established based on direct numerical simulations of liquid-gas flows embedded in an isotropic turbulence and covering both dense and moderately dense ranges.