Emulsions are at the basis of many processes, like detergency, oil industry, and of many commodities (food, pharma, cosmetics…); often, they are made using dangerous and polluting chemicals, and by inefficient means (only a small portion of the energy used in emulsification contributes to the final product; the rest is wasted, typically as thermal loss). Studying emulsions could help the industry to become more green, reducing or substituting these chemicals.
We investigate some open problems in the physics of emulsions: is there a link between surfactants, interfacial behaviour and ageing? Which are the most relevant destabilization mechanisms? How do drops move?
We combine correlation spectroscopy (Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy, DWS) in microgravity (i.e. removing the effect of gravity) by performing experiments in orbit on the International Space Station or in parabolic flights. We then perform numerical simulations and develop mathematical models to intepret the results and identify different dynamical regimes.
Yellow spheres are oil drops, in blue are the surfactant molecules.
Developing innovative filters to eliminate pollutants
Air quality is a great concern in our society, and new efficient filters are needed. Some pollutants can escape from standard filters; filters for photocatalytic oxidation (PCO, filters formed by catalytic materials activated by light) can degrade them. An ideal filter exploiting advanced oxidation processes (AOP) has large active surface and uses little energy. We study innovative photocatalytic filters based on solid foams built using novel photoactive nanostructures, combining material science and interface science.
Stimuli-responsive nanostructures for medicine and drug delivery
Nanostructures activated by external stimuli can generate physical (heating, mechanical stress) or chemical (generation of radicals) effects on their surroundings.
What if we could develop innovative medical approaches based on these nanostructures to treat health problems that are now difficult to treat?