Abstract: Graphene is a single layer networks of atoms and provides ballistic transport of charge carriers. This is essentially an attractive feature for low power electronic devices. These devices require deposition of thin uniform dielectrics between two semiconducting layers. However, graphene surface is considered to be less-reactive, thus the dielectric layer selectively nucleates on defect sites or step edges rather than all over the surface uniformly.
Abstract : Distillation is widely used in chemical and allied industries to separate fluid mixtures into pure components. It consumes a huge amount of energy in an inefficient way and thus, it is a potential candidate for heat integration. In this direction, the dividing wall column (DWC) has emerged as an attractive technology that reduces the energy consumption, cost and installation space. The present work aims at improving the energetic and economic performance of this DWC.
Abstract : Metastasis – the spread of cancer cells from one organ to another – remains an unsolved clinical challenge and causes above 90% of all cancer-related deaths. It is a highly dynamic process with extremely high attrition rates. Despite extensive ongoing efforts in cancer genomics, no unique genetic or mutational signature has emerged for metastasis.
Abstract : This seminar will focus on the effects of viscoelasticity on passive fluid flows and active living system. It is well known that viscoelasticity affects the fluid flows significantly, in the turbulent flow they lead to dissipation reduction. In the first part of the seminar, the effects of polymer additives in two-dimensional homogeneous, isotropic turbulence will be discussed. This work focuses on studying the statistical properties using direct numerical simulations.
Abstract: Experimental studies are often conducted in vitro in a thermodynamically closed system, and in a 'clean' environment where impurities and other components are systematically excluded. The qualitative role of system components is defined based on such experiments. In several systems, in vivo experimental observations (i.e. for open systems where other components are present) are not in accordance with standard or intuitive predictions.
Abstract:
Life appeared on Earth at least 3.5 billion years ago. Through evolution, unsustainable species/processes have been weeded out such that the currently biodiversity are all success stories. Effective translation of bio-inspired fundamentals to engineering solutions require identification of dominant, relevant mechanisms that may be hidden in complex and interdisciplinary systems. I will discuss two examples of extracting useful principles from two very different systems.
Abstract: Traditionally, omniphobic surfaces were fabricated mainly by mimicking Lotus leaves, Shark skin, bird feathers, flower petals [1]. Those surfaces are vulnerable to mechanical damage and suffered from wear-sensitivity due to apolar coatings/substrates and protruding roughness elements. This led to the loss of superhydrophobic and oleophobic properties post abrasion. Therefore, dewetting and wear-resistance properties were at odds with each other and fabricating highly wear-resistant liquid-repellent surfaces was an open challenge in the wetting community. Nevertheless, in my Ph.D.
Abstract: Understanding reaction coupled transport in a porous media is very critical for the design and operation of electrochemical engineering systems such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers. The macro-homogeneous approximation of the porous media results in averaged quantities such as porosity and tortuosity. Traditionally, Bruggeman’s relation is used to estimate the tortuosity of porous media as a function of porosity.