Seminars

Abstract: India currently experiences degraded air quality which has received wide media attention especially in terms of excess premature deaths attributable to air pollution. In this talk scientific methods underpinning such estimates will be discussed with a focus on energy and emissions modelling as well as modelling atmospheric transport and chemistry of pollutants.

Abstract: Macroscopic objects formed from particle assemblies are typically brittle precluding their use in several applications. Some years ago we demonstrated that ice-templating an aqueous dispersion of rigid colloidal particles and polymer and crosslinking this polymer in the frozen state results in the formation of remarkably flexible colloidal assemblies. Centimeter-scale monoliths prepared in this manner recover elastically after compression to 10% of their original size.

Abstract: Dynamics of binary suspension comprising of rigid rods and spheres in wall bounded flow at low Reynolds number were studied using the Stokesian dynamics simulations. We demonstrate that hydrodynamic interaction of a rod with a sphere in wall bounded shear flow can lead to margination of sphere towards the wall. Effect of relative particle concentration and shear rate on the microstructure and rheology of suspension was studied in the simple shear flow.

Abstract: Adsorption of macromolecules from dilute solutions to interfaces is recognized as a powerful technique for interface modification. Polymers have ability to adsorb at the interfaces almost irreversibly and modify the interfacial properties such as energy electric charge wettability interfacial rheology etc. This makes them suitable for numerous applications.

Abstract: Although algal biomass is significantly more costly to produce than lignocellulosic biomass this situation can be at least partially mitigated by the composition of the biomass which provides opportunities for conversion to a portfolio of biofuels and bioproducts. Many algal biomass conversion schemes for the production of fuels focus on either lipid extraction or hydrothermal liquefaction considering no higher value coproducts resulting in extremely challenging economics for commercialization.

Abstract: An aerosol represents a system of particles and droplets in the size range of 1 nm to 100 micrometer suspended in a gas. The aerosol discipline crosses a wide variety of topics of societal relevance ranging from nanotechnology to climate change. The modern science of aerosols was originally developed in Europe to understand natural phenomena such as the occurrence of clouds fog mist and the changes in the color of the sky.

Abstract: Wettability of oil reservoirs plays an important role in determining how different phases flow through it. This in-turn significantly affects the oil recovery process. Carbonate reservoirs hold the majority of the world’s oil reserves. These reservoirs are often oil-wet and thus respond poorly to water flooding. Many of these reservoirs are also fractured which hurt the oil recovery even more because the injected water bypasses through fractures and does not imbibe into the matrix. The recovery from these reservoirs can be increased substantially through wettability alteration.

Abstract: Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) are very promising materials to enable more environmentally stable high-density energy storage devices. Realization of PILs providing high environmental and mechanical stability while maximizing ion conductivity would be accelerated by an improved molecular level understanding of their structure and dynamics. Extensive evidence suggests that both mechanical properties and ion conductivity in anhydrous PILs are intimately related to the PILs’ glass formation behavior.

Abstract: There is growing need of novel and advanced functional materials to meet the increased demand of energy (petro)chemical feedstocks and better healthcare. Concerted efforts are required to develop innovative pathways of materials syntheses which are facile and economically viable. However efficient design approach calls for the detailed understanding of transient phenomenon such as nucleation and crystal growth under realistic conditions. To this end I worked on developing a rational design platform for zeolite synthesis by probing the growth dynamics at crystal surfaces.

Abstract: In the present world of electric vehicles and portable electronics high-quality rechargeable batteries are of supreme importance. Lithium-ion batteries in particular have been commercially viable due to their high energy densities and long lifetimes. However they are subject to both performance and capacity degradations which impact their lifetime irreversibly. Although it is impossible to reclaim the lost capacity periodic diagnosis subsequent management and control can prolong their lifetime.