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Physics, modeling, collaborations.

In this laboratory, we explore the physics of transport phenomena with an emphasis on problems in which molecular and mesoscopic physics plays a key role. Our research is driven by challenges emerging at the frontiers of advanced technologies such as hydrocarbon extraction from unconventional sources, thermal management, and aero engine reliability in aggressive environments. We focus on atomistic, mesoscopic, and continuum modeling, but we also collaborate with experimentalists and theoreticians.

Rui Qiao observes a flame in a collaboration with the EXTREME Lab.
Rui Qiao observes a flame in a collaboration with the EXTREME Lab. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.

Fields in which we have published:

  • Transport phenomena at small scales: nanoscale fluid and ion transport, themal transport in particulate suspensions and nanocomposites, interfacial thermal transport, transport of active and passive colloidal particles, coupled ion transport and chemical reactions in porous membranes.
  • Particulates in aero engines: particulate-surface interactions (rebound, deposition, and fracturing) and particulate transport.
  • Interfacial phenomena and electrochemistry: electrical double layer, electrokinetic flow, interfacial fluids, self-assembly, wetting and superhydrophobicity.
  • Advanced materials: room-tempreature ionic liquids, ion gels, 2D materials, thermal nanocomposites, colloidal suspensions, porous liquids, microporous electrodes, microemulsions.
  • Engineering technologies: inkjet-based biomanufacturing, thermal management, electrical energy storage, energy harvesting, nutrient recovery using bioelectrochemical systems, lab-on-a-chip, desalination, and flow batteries.
  • Computational methods: molecular dynamics, dissipative particle dynamics, multiscale methods, computational fluid dynamics.

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