The Origin of a Nucleus: Understanding Surface Activation Energy
Name of applicant
Isaac Appelquist
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Amount
DKK 1,228,638
Year
2024
Type of grant
Internationalisation Fellowships
What?
This project focuses on tackling the issue of crystallization fouling, the formation of unwanted crystals on surfaces in contact with liquids. This phenomenon creates major problems for industries by reducing efficiency and increasing costs in water treatment systems, heat exchangers, and marine transport. In fact, fouling-related issues affect access to clean water for over 2.6 billion people.
Why?
Understanding and predicting crystallization fouling is critical, as it allows for better mitigation. One of the most difficult aspects to predict is surface nucleation—the very beginning of crystal formation on surfaces. If we can better understand this process, we could significantly reduce fouling and its damaging consequences.
How?
This project uses a three-part approach. First, liquids are mixed in a flow-cell, designed to investigate surface nucleation. Then, computer models simulate fluid flow processes, helping to understand how and where fouling occurs. Finally, molecular simulations reveal the interactions between particles and surfaces, helping us identify a universal parameter, namely the surface activation energy.