Research

We develop and apply theoretical, numerical, and mainly experimental tools in the domain of aerosol science and technology. We primarily focus on the following fundamental topics:

  • Nanoparticle formation in reactive flows: We are interested in better understanding the mechanisms explaining the growth and size distribution of aerosol particles. These mechanisms include nucleation, surface growth, coagulation, oxidation, and sintering.
  • Nanoparticle characterization: In-situ measurements of particle size, concentration, chemical composition, radiative properties using laser-based techniques such as line-of-sight attenuation, light-induced incandescence, and light scattering. Particle sampling and ex-situ analysis based on electron microscopy and other techniques to reveal the particle morphology, size, internal structure, and chemical composition.
  • Aerosol particle filtration: Conducting experiments for filter testing and the development of plasma-based aerosol particle collection methods.
  • Aerosol particle interface properties: Measurements and modeling of nanoparticle interface properties. We try to find new methods for nanoparticle engineering by controlling the interface properties of nanoparticles.

These fundamental areas of research allow us focusing primarily on the following applications in the domain of aerosol technology:

  • Reduction of air pollutants: Whether for indoor or outdoor applications, reducing particle emissions from different sources such as industrial processes (e.g. metal welding or combustion), medical processes (e.g. electrosurgery), cooking (e.g. in restaurants), and residential (e.g. combustion-based household heating).
  • Air quality monitoring: Sampling particles from different indoor spaces (e.g. hospitals or working offices) to asses their physical and chemical properties, for determining particulate matter emission levels vis-à-vis to the existing regulations.
  • Nanotechnology: Characterizing the performance of the produced materials, with particular interest on filamentary structured fractal-like aggregates, that may be useful for coatings, health treatment, and sensing. We are interested in designing experimental and numerical tools to model and understand the physical properties of these particles for the mentioned applications.