Research areas
Energy Transition
Patterned Electrodes for H2 Production
As the search for renewable resources of energy gathers momentum in the current society, efficient production of hydrogen gas, which has been proclaimed to be the ‘most important candidate’ for energy sources in (near) future, remains a major issue. Both at a research scale, and at an industrial scale, production of H2 by electrolysis suffers from several physicochemical phenomena that occur during the process itself. E.g., the produced gas bubbles sticking to the electrode, thereby blocking the sites for subsequent production of gas. Another example is the oxidation or reduction of the catalytic layer on the electrode, thereby affecting the production. More efficient production of hydrogen requires a thorough understanding such phenomena and subsequently, to remedy the problems with suitable designs.
In our group, we design and investigate new electrodes in two ways:
- Physically patterned electrodes where fabricated structures on the solid substrate aid in removing bubbles more efficiently.
- Chemically patterned electrodes where the oxidation or reduction of the polymeric catalytic layer on the solid substrate can be triggered by using a small external electric field, thereby changing the bubble-wettability of the substrate, something that aids in the removal of the gas bubbles.
Please see the vacancies (PhD/Postdoc) or BSc and MSc Thesis opportunities for available projects from the above topic. Both Experimental and Numerical projects are available from this topic.
Coalescence in Multi-phase System/Flow
Whether gas bubbles in a CO2 reduction or in a H2 production electrolysis cell, or the dispersed oil droplets in a food emulsion (such as yoghurt), the merging (coalescence) of a single phase in a multi-phase system plays a crucial role in the overall stability/efficiency of these systems. The process of coalescence is quite intricate and encompasses interfacial phenomena at multiple length-scales, especially due to the drainage of the thin interstitial film between the two merging bubbles/droplets.
In our group, we carry out numerical as well as experimental investigation of bubble/droplet coalescence. Numerically, a wide variety of methods (such as Volume of Fluid, Lattice-Boltzmann etc.) are applied to resolve the transport phenomena at multiple length-scales. Experimentally, we design set ups to probe the coalescence phenomenon at a droplet-droplet level while keeping the conditions of the experiments similar to industrial operating points.
You find the available projects regarding this topic at vacancies (PhD/Postdoc) or BSc and MSc thesis opportunities. Both Numerical and Experimental projects are available from this topic.
Biomedical Research
Tunable Bio-mimetic Glue
When it comes to repairing small wounds in their own bodies by using a self-made glue, certain species are much more advanced than humans. Some arachnids such as a spider can produce a polymeric material and weave it with such precision, that is unimaginable by human beings. Even for some underwater species, the ingenuity lies in the production of a material that works as a perfect glue in a very wet environment. However, in our otherwise advanced civilization, we struggle to produce a reliable medical glue that can bind and heal the skins of patients in a hospital.
In our group, we (primarily) experimentally investigate the tunability of glue-like polymeric materials under some external stimulus e.g., a small electric field. The electric field triggers the electrostatic interactions in the already heavily charged polyelectrolyte. The goal is to find the trigger for such material so that the adsorption (adhesive) properties of the material can be improved.
At vacancies (Postdoc/PhD) and BSc/MSc thesis opportunities you find available projects from the above topic. Mainly experimental projects are available from this topic but short numerical projects (e.g., BSc thesis projects) might also be available.