- Title of project: NANOSCIENCE AND MICRO- AND NANOENGINEERING FOR ENERGY, WATER, AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
- Funding agency (Optional): DOE, NSF, NIH
- Description: We study and exploit unique transport,
thermodynamics and phase equilibria of advanced materials (homogeneous
and heterogeneous 2D and ultra-thin materials, thermoresponsive
nanofluids, and ionic liquids) and micro- and nanostructures to enable
technologies and devices with new functionalities and improved
efficiency with applications in energy, water, micro- and nanofluidic
platforms, separation and sensing technologies, and biomedical domains.
Three research areas currently active are described below.
- Enhanced separation using 2D materials laminates Due to their intrinsic characteristics, such as a unique single-atom thick structure, outstanding mechanical strength, as well as facile and large-scale production, two-dimensional (2D) materials are regarded as an ideal membrane material for ultrafast molecular separation. This has provided a unique opportunity to develop nearly perfect molecular-level separation membranes with ultrafast and selective permeation. Recently, we have shown that physicochemical properties of 2D materials and their laminates can be tailored to enable unique transport properties. Currently, we are studying transport characteristics of only a few nanometer thick laminates of 2D materials for energy-efficient separation of micro-pollutants from water resources and plasma clearance of water soluble and albumin bound toxins for kidney and liver support systems.
- Thermoresponsive nanofluids for energy efficient compression and separation Despite nearly two centuries of research, the fundamental operating principle (i.e. thermodynamics) of cooling systems are still the same as what was developed by Willis Carrier in 1902 and Ferdinand Carre in 1858. Major advancements in our understanding of the intermolecular forces and synthesis of new molecules in recent years have provided an opportunity to fundamentally change the thermodynamics of the cooling cycles to substantially enhance their energy efficiency. Currently, we are working on new classes of nanofluids and thermodynamics cycles to achieve this objective.
- Impact of hierarchical micro/nanostructures on physics of transport in microchannels phase change process New sensing and enhancement approaches are being developed and utilized to understand the physics of different microscale heat transfer mechanisms involved in flow boiling in microchannels and to measure their relative contributions to the overall surface heat transfer. Such knowledge is essential to advancing the science and technology of compact and high performance two-phase flow heat sinks for applications such as cooling high performance electronics.
- Restrictions/Constraints:
- Knowledge and skills needed: Students with prior background or great interest in multi-scale transport, molecular thermodynamics of complex systems and fluid-phase equilibria, surface science and interfacial phenomena are strongly encouraged to apply.
- How to apply: Send your resume to Dr. Moghaddam
- Faculty contact/webpage: Dr. Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu, http://www2.mae.ufl.edu/saeedmog/
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