Research
Research overview
Our lab is dedicated to investigating emerging environmental and energy processes, utilizing our expertise in the rheology of complex fluids and their transport phenomena. We focus on essential unit operations, such as fluid mixing and membrane separation, to improve chemical processes. Our approach involves a combination of modeling, experiments, and simulations to provide insights and knowledge for the development of next-generation environmental and energy processes. We are committed to advancing research in these areas to contribute to a sustainable and efficient future.
우리 연구실은 이동현상과 유변학에 대한 지식과 경험을 바탕으로, 첨단 환경 및 에너지 소재 및 공정을 이해하고, 소재 공정 성능을 개선하고 최적화하는 다양한 연구를 수행합니다. 구체적으로 복잡 유체의 혼합과 막 분리 공정에 주목하여, 분산 불량, 데드존 형성, 노즐 막힘 등의 공정문제가 발생하는 원인을 규명하고 이를 개선하는 연구를 수행하고 있습니다. 모델링, 공정실험, 전산모사 등의 연구방법을 종합적으로 활용하며, 새로운 환경 및 에너지 소재 및 공정을 개발하는 데에 지식과 통찰력을 제공하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.
Our current and past research themes are as follows:
Colloidal aggregation and deposition (i.e., particle deposition in various channel geometries)
Mixing of complex fluids (i.e., battery slurry)
Polymer melt rheology (i.e., pretreatment of waste plastic pyrolysis)
Electrochemical system (i.e., electrochemical lithium recovery)
Unit operations in integrated or continuous bioprocessing (i.e., virus filtration, chromatography)
Theme 1. Colloidal aggregation and deposition
Colloidal aggregation and deposition are complex phenomena that can have significant environmental and economic impacts. For example, in wastewater treatment, colloidal fouling can lead to decreased efficiency and increased operating costs. By investigating the underlying principles of these phenomena, our lab aims to develop practical solutions that can be implemented in real-world settings. Our work involves a combination of experimental and computational approaches, including microscopy, rheology, and machine learning. We also collaborate closely with industry partners to ensure that our research has practical applications and addresses real-world challenges. Through our research, we hope to make a positive impact on a wide range of industries and contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient processes.
Theme 2. Mixing of complex fluids
Mixing of complex fluids can be challenging as the rheology of the material changes during the process, which can affect the mixing efficiency and the final product quality. Complex fluids are materials that exhibit unique flow properties due to the presence of internal structures or interactions between their constituent particles or molecules, such as emulsions, suspensions, gels, and polymers to name a few. Complex fluids can exhibit behaviors such as shear thinning, shear thickening, viscoelasticity, and thixotropy, which make them challenging to model and manipulate. We investigate the behavior of thixotropic fluids during mixing to better understand the underlying principles and develop strategies for improving the process, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.
Theme 3. Waste plastic recycling
Waste plastic recycling is a crucial aspect of sustainable waste management and the circular economy. Mechanical recycling involves processes such as sorting, grinding, and melting to transform used polymers into new products. Chemical recycling involves breaking down polymers into their constituent monomers or other chemical intermediates for subsequent use in polymer synthesis. By applying our knowledge of polymer melt rheology, the study of how polymer melts flow and deform under different conditions, we can identify complex relationships between processing parameters and the rheological behavior of polymer melts to improve process performance. Also, with the advent of machine learning, we can learn from a large dataset of rheological measurements and use this knowledge to predict the behavior of new polymer systems. By combining the melt rheology with the machine learning algorithm, we can significantly reduce the need for extensive experimentation and can lead to the development of more efficient polymer processing methods.
Theme 4. Electrochemical system
Electrochemical systems, including batteries, electrochemical lithium recovery (ELR) systems, and fuel cells, serve as efficient and sustainable storage systems for electrical energy from renewable sources. In order to make this transition feasible, it is essential to improve the performance and durability of these electrochemical systems, which requires a deep understanding of the underlying physical and chemical processes. We use our expertise in transport phenomena and complex fluids to study the fundamental mechanisms and dynamics of these systems. Specifically, we investigate the microstructure of the electrode and how it affects the electrochemical performance. By understanding these relationships, we aim to optimize the electrode manufacturing process and improve the overall efficiency of electrochemical systems.
