Recently, two NWO-Nano proposals were granted of which PIN members are (co-)applicants. The NWO-Nano program aims to promote excellent fundamental and application-oriented nanoscience and nanotechnology research in the Netherlands, thereby strengthening the Netherlands' international competitiveness in this field.
Nanoneedle-based Electron Emission in Dielectric Liquids for Chemical synthesis: NEEDL-Chem
Prof. dr. ir. H.J.W. Zandvliet, dr. E.S. Kooij (Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials), prof. dr. J.G.E. Gardeniers (Mesoscale Chemical Systems)
In this project we will investigate field emission of electrons from nanofabricated needles into dielectric liquids and study the properties of solvated electrons and radical species produced by that emission. Electro-Chemical Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and -Spectroscopy will be used. In a parallel project, arrays of nanofabricated needles integrated in a continous-flow microreactor will be studied to enhance field emission in continuous flow of mixture of reactants. It is envisaged that thus generated solvated electrons, even if their lifetime is limited, can be used efficiently for chemical
applications because of the scale (nano to micro) of the systems in which the chemistry, in particular Birch-type reductions of aromatic compounds, will be performed.
Surface nanobubbles: Benefit and hinderance
Prof. dr. D. Lohse, dr. J.R.T. Seddon (Physics of Fluids), prof. dr. ir. H.J.W. Zandvliet (Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials)
Surface nanobubbles are nanoscale spherical-cap gaseous domains at the interface between a hydrophobic solid and bulk water. According to the Young-Laplace equation the internal pressure of a nanobubble is in the range of 10 − 20 atm. Nevertheless, the are remarkably stable persisting for at least 10 − 11 orders of magnitude longer than the expected microseconds. Until now, the important question has been: Why are they stable? New, equally important questions are: How do they form? and: How can we utilise them? We aim to answer both of these questions in the current proposal. Our focus is on nanobubbles in dynamic situations and, in particular, on the role of the fluid velocity.
