2 PhD Positions Fluid Dynamics and Soft Matter of Complex Multicomponent Emulsions

Two PhD positions are available in the Garbin lab (https://garbinlab.org) on the NWO-Vici project "Flow physics of Pickering emulsion reactors for sustainable chemical conversion". As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will explore the interplay of chemical reaction and transport phenomena in nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions for chemical conversion. We are currently looking for 2 PhD candidates to join the project team, which already comprises 3 postdocs with complementary expertise and working in close collaboration. As a PhD candidate working on this project, you will unravel the flow physics of multicomponent emulsions stabilized by nanoparticles (known as “Pickering emulsions”) and their dynamic evolution during chemical reactions. Although these complex emulsions have proven potential for sustainable chemical conversion, the effects of mass transfer and convection in combination with chemical reactions remain poorly characterized and understood for these systems, which currently limits their potential for applications.

The 2 PhD projects will focus on different, complementary aspects:

PhD1 will focus on flow physics around a particle-stabilized (Pickering), multicomponent droplet. You will develop and integrate novel experimental approaches including in-situ, real-time visualization of concentration fields and advanced microstructure imaging, combined with microfluidics and multiscale modelling.
PhD2 will focus on chemical conversion in multiphase reactions. You will explore practical approaches towards the valorization of circular carbon, namely, selective catalytic transformations of CO2 and biomass in close collaboration with the section Inorganic Systems Engineering (Prof. Evgeny Pidko).