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soft matter, fluidics and interfaces
Research within the Soft matter, Fluidics and Interfaces group is directed at interfacial phenomena and processes that are relevant for mass and heat transport. We wish to study and exploit fundamental principles where fluid flow encounters structures on a sub-millimeter length scale. Current topics of interest are:
Advanced microreactors
The fabrication and operation of dedicated microreactors, amendable to scaling are investigated. Multiphase reactor systems that incorporate membrane functionality to stabilize interfaces and perform separations are developed.
Soft interfaces
Liquid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces are crucial in many chemical processes. Interfacial phenomena, including wetting behavior, interfacial tension (gradients), interfacial curvature, are studied to gain understanding in related transport processes near these interfaces.
Micro- and nanofluidics
This topic addresses liquid flow in confined geometries. Its relation to mass and energy transport are studied in both experimental and numerical ways. Special attention is given to boundary layer and concentration polarization phenomena.
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Meander reactor This project aims to demonstrate the idea of achieving high reaction selectivity by combining repetitive mixing, conversion and separation functionalities inside the micro-reactor. Such an approach requires careful integration of contacting, mixing, reaction, and separation within a microfluidic format. |
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Microreactors with work-up functionality The aim of this project is to investigate on-chip integration of a liquid-liquid extraction step in-line with a chemical reaction. The approach will be to generate a well-defined emulsion in order to enhance mass transfer of reactants and/or products between two immiscible liquid phases. These liquid phases need to be separated further downstream. |
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Microfluidic solvent exchange The goal of this research is to fabricate porous ceramic microreactors via simple replication processes. The new multiphase contacting in these microreactors is studied for relevant catalytic gas-liquid systems. |
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Watercleaning microreactors The ultimate goal of the project is realization of a microreactor applied for water purification employing photocatalytic reaction technique (oxidation) and hydrogenation of nitrite/nitrate (reduction). The combination of these steps is believed to remove all contaminants form drinking water. |
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Hybrid materials for selective adsorption Hybrid membranes that consist of an organic skeleton surrounded by an inorganic compound (e.g. silica) offer the opportunity to unite the best of both research fields. Such a hybrid membrane promises to be mechanically flexible due to its polymeric skeleton, while exhibiting separation properties of an (functionalized) inorganic membrane. |
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Interfacial transport phenomena Interfacial transport phenomena often determine or limit process performance. Boundary layers that are involved in these processes are studied on a microscopic length scale. This research aims at understanding transport phenomena near permeable boundaries, so that processes can be improved by exploiting these phenomena. |
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Overlimiting current electrodialysis In electrodialysis, ions are transported through an ion selective membrane. Under severe concentration polarization, electro-convective phenomena are observed at the membrane boundary. The aim is to study surface heterogeneity in relation to these electro-convective phenomena. |
For more information contact:
Prof.dr.ir. Rob G. H. Lammertink
Tel: +31 (0)53 4892063 or +31 (0)53 4894798
Fax: +31 (0)53 4892882
