Environmental Applications

The world faces numerous challenges that impact natural resources, ranging from the oceans to the atmosphere. One key challenge in environmental water systems is the need to accurately track and trace contaminants in order to develop effective remediation strategies. Another significant concern is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions associated with marine transportation, partly driven by biofouling of vessels, which leads to higher fuel consumption.

In this research, such challenges are addressed through the integration of chemical engineering principles with the fundamental science of colloids and polymers. Within this thematic area, efforts are focused on the development of nanomaterials for hydrological tracing, the investigation of viral transport in drinking water filtration systems, the design of photocatalysts for waste degradation, and the study of mass transfer in nanofluids for carbon dioxide capture, among other applications.

The overarching aim is to advance the understanding of processes that affect environmental resources and to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to address both existing and emerging challenges.