Recent Work on Nanofluidics and Freeze Desalination

Title

Recent Work on Nanofluidics and Freeze Desalination

Speaker

Prof. Zhigang Li, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Time and Location

Apr 14, 2023,  10:30-11:30 am (Beijing time), E210 (Educational Building, 2nd floor)

Host

Prof. Xinpeng XU (GTIIT, physics)

Abstract

In the past several years, we have been using molecular dynamics simulations to explore new phenomena/mechanisms in fluid flows at the nanoscale and the dynamics of ions during the freezing of solutions.  In this talk, I will introduce some work we have done on nanofluidics and seawater desalination through freezing.  A brief review about the recent progress in nanofluidics will be given.  Some new phenomena caused by molecular interactions and the possible applications are summarized.  Furthermore, the basic principle underlying freezing desalination, i.e., how ions are removed during water crystallization, will be explained.  Factors that affect ion rejection rate will be discussed.

Biography

Dr. Li is currently a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).  He received his B.S. from Harbin Engineering University in 1996, M.Eng. from Tsinghua University in 1999, and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in 2005.  Before joining HKUST in 2007, he was a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University.  He was a recipient of the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Oversea Student in 2005.  His research interest covers several areas, including nanoscale transport phenomena, interfacial science, nonlinear dynamics/chaos, and biosensors.