Prof. Panagiota Angeli

ThAMeS Multiphase, Department of Chemical Engineering, UCL

Prof Panagiota Angeli,FIChemE, is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at UCL, Deputy Head ED&I, and leads the ThAMeS Multiphase group. She obtained a Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and a PhD on Multiphase Flows at Imperial College London. She specializes on complex multiphase flows particularly those involving two liquid phases and their application in microchemical systems. Her research aims to link small scale interactions and interfacial phenomena to the macroscopic behaviour of the complex flows and to the development of predictive models. She has been investigating the effects of surfactants, particles and non-Newtonian rheologies on two-phase microchannel flows, as well as their applications to the analysis and intensification of metal separations, and to the manufacturing of complex formulations. The experimental investigations have been enabled by original and advanced sensing and measurement techniques, such as micro- and high speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and ultrasound. Prof Angeli’s work has been supported by substantial UK Research Council and European Union funding and by industry. She has been awarded a RAEng/Leverhulme Trust Fellowship and has participated and chaired UK EPSRC and international (Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium) research funding review panels. She has published over 200 journal papers.

Title: Droplet microfluidics for production of complex formulations

Abstract: Dispersions/emulsions of two immiscible liquids find numerous applications in pharmaceutical and healthcare formulations, food and agrochemicals. In recent years, microchannels have been extensively used to produce emulsions with small drop sizes and narrow size distributions. Surfactants and colloidal particles are commonly added to vary the interfacial properties, control the drop size, stabilise the emulsions and influence the final product rheology. The small volumes of microfluidic channels allow the application of external forces to control droplet formation.

In the talk, I will discuss the flow patterns and dynamic phenomena occurring during drop formation and break up in microfluidic channels in the presence of surfactants and colloidal particles. Detailed measurements of interface evolution and flow fields, based on fluorescent imaging and high speed particle image velocimetry, will be used to understand the physics of droplet formation and to develop predictive models. Recent results on the application of external electrical fields to manipulate the drop formation patterns and on the development of microfluidics for the formulation of double emulsions will be shown.

Prof. Guanyi Chen

Distinguished Professor of BioEnergy and Environment, and Vice-president at Tianjin University of Commerce

Prof. Chen has dedicated many years to the field of agricultural waste utilization for the production of biomass-derived gas and biogas, as well as the control of associated environmental pollution. He is an active member of the International Standard Organization (ISO/TC255), focusing on Safety and Environment Issues in biogas.

Prof. Chen has played a critical role in leading several major symposiums, serving as the Chairman of the 1st through 4th International Symposium on Biomass/Waste Energy and Environment in 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023, and the 6th and 7th International Symposium on Gasification and Its Applications in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Since 2021, he has represented China as an expert in the IEA Bioenergy-Gasification task.

His editorial contributions are notable as well, being an associate editor for the journal Biomass & Bioenergy and a guest editor for various prestigious journals, including Science of the Total Environment, Fuel Processing Technology, and Energy & Fuels. Prof. Chen’s exemplary work has earned him two second-place awards and one first-place award in National S&T progress. In 2022, he was honored with the prestigious Pandey Award by the International Bioprocessing Association (IBA).

Title: Exploring Micro-Nanofluidic Reactions in Biomass Energy Conversion Processes

Abstract: Micro-nanofluidic reactions refer to physi-chemical reactions happening in micro-nano scale channels and structures. In recent years, their potentials in promoting efficiency and effectiveness of biomass energy conversion have been widely explored. This presentation highlights their applications in four aspects, namely nanobubbles in anaerobic digestion, micro-nanofluidic interactions during hydrothermal conversion, the catalytic reforming of landfill leachate concentrate and the micro-nanofluidic effects on tar gasification during online transformation. By precisely controlling the flow rate, temperature, and pressure of reactants, micro-nanofluidic technology not only makes the reaction process more efficient but also allows for real-time monitoring and control, significantly enhancing the reliability and safety of the reactions. Future perspectives especially development of microfluidic reactors are also discussed, which features in compact size, simple structure, and ease of operation, demonstrating significant potential in biomass energy conversion. With the development of micro-nano technologies and the application of artificial intelligence and big data, microfluidic reactors are expected to play an increasingly important role in the fields of chemistry and environmental science, driving biomass energy conversion towards more efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical directions.

Prof. Simone Mancini

Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova 

Simone Mancin is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padova, Italy.  He is also Visiting Prof. at the Dept. of Chemical Engineering of Brunel University London and member of the Centre for Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies of Brunel University London. His research mainly focuses on advanced materials, nano-depositions, nano-coatings, surface treatments, single- and two- phase heat transfer in enhanced surfaces and micro-geometries for electronic thermal management and air conditioning and refrigeration and phase change materials (PCMs) for advanced latent thermal energy storages. He is the author or co-author of about 250 papers, most published in the international scientific journals. He is associate editor of HEDH, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, Heat Transfer Research, Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, and Journal of Energy Storage and he is member of the Editorial Board of International Journal of Thermofluids and Energies.

Title: Micro-roughness effects for innovative and efficient 3D printed heat exchangers 

Abstract: The additive manufacturing capabilities open new frontiers in the design of complex geometries in many different application fields, especially thermal science, in which multi-functional, efficient, compact components with internal cooling or heating channels are becoming more and more requested. Among the possible additive manufacturing technologies, the laser powder bed fusion process has recently been proven to manufacture high-conductivity metals, with good mechanical and thermal properties (i.e. pure copper and copper alloys), attracting the attention of the heat transfer community. However, depending on the material, design, and process parameters, the surface micro-roughness of the components can remarkably change and become a critical issue in cooling applications.

This talk analyses the effects of the surface roughness and micro-roughness of 3D printed channels on both heat transfer and fluid flow during either single and two phase flow trying to highlight the most important parameters to take into accounts when we want optimize heat exchangers to be manufactured by 3D metal printing for real applications and not just to become fancy paperweights.

Prof. Christos N. Markides

Clean Energy Processes (CEP) Laboratory, Imperial College London, U.K.

Christos Markides is Professor of Clean Energy Technologies, Head of the Clean Energy Processes Laboratory, and Leader the Experimental Multiphase Flow Laboratory, which is the largest experimental space of its kind at Imperial College London. He is also, amongst other, Editor-in-Chief of journals Applied Thermal Engineering and AI-Thermal/Fluids. He specialises in applied thermodynamics, fluid flow and heat/mass transfer processes in highperformance devices, technologies and systems, with a specific interest in the development and application of advanced diagnostic techniques for the provision of detailed, spatiotemporally resolved information in turbulent, reacting and multiphase flows. He has published ~400 journal and >350 conference articles on these topics (h-index = 70). He has won multiple awards, including IMechE’s ‘Donald J. Groen’ outstanding paper prize in 2016, IChemE’s ‘Global Award for Best Research Project' in 2018, and received Imperial College’s President Awards for Research Excellence in 2018 and Teaching Excellence in 2017.

Title: Advanced measurements of interfacial reacting flows

Abstract: Multiphase flows are commonly encountered in diverse applications. Of interest to us in this talk are two-phase, interfacial reacting flow systems where the production and accumulation of a solid phase can lead to severe operational challenges, and even complete flow blockage. To study these flows, we focus specifically on hydrate formation, where hydrates are inclusion compounds that form initially as thin solid films at the interface between two immiscible liquids, one of which is water.

Of importance in flows of interest are the thermodynamic conditions that create favourable drivers for hydrate formation at certain temperatures and pressures. However, beyond this, the hydrate formation process is accompanied by heat release due to its exothermic nature, and in cases where the flow transport processes have timescales of the order of the chemical kinetics, these processes can become coupled, leading to rich and complex phenomena.

In this talk, we will discuss recent efforts to develop and apply a range of advanced experimental techniques based on optical measurement principles in order to obtain high spatiotemporal resolution information on important scalar and vector fields in a target interfacial, reacting flow. We will discuss the challenges faced when attempting to perform such measurements, and proceed to present first-of-a-kind data on hydrates forming on the interfaces of sessile drops. We will close with an outlook on remaining opportunities and open questions that motivate further research in this field.

Prof. Shoji Mori 

Kyushu University, Japan

Shoji Mori is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kyushu University. He earned his Ph.D. from Kyushu University in 2003. After completing his doctoral studies, he began his academic career as a research associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yokohama National University in 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of associate professor in the same department.

In 2019, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kyushu University as a professor. His current research interests primarily focus on the development of innovative thermal systems utilizing porous materials.

Title: Enhancing Heat and Mass Transfer Through Controlled Porous Structures: Advances in Cooling Technologies Utilizing Boiling, Electrolysis, and Rapid Superheated Steam Generation

Abstract: Achieving significantly higher energy efficiency is essential for realizing a sustainable society. This requires the development of innovative scientific and technological solutions through the investigation of phase interface phenomena associated with energy conversion and transport, as well as the design of highly functional phase interfaces. In this presentation, I will introduce the latest advancements achieved in our laboratory, focusing on the integration of phase change phenomena with porous materials to enhance the performance of thermal systems. These include (1) significant improvements in critical heat flux during pool boiling using honeycomb porous plates, (2) enhanced water electrolysis efficiency inspired by analogies with boiling phenomena, and (3) the rapid generation of superheated steam utilizing water-containing porous media. These findings offer insights that could support the development of next-generation thermal technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and sustainability.