Nano/micro/meso/multifunctional intensification strategies for multiphase reactors/materials

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This research is motivated by a recent Nature perspective article (Chu & Majumdar (2012) Nature 488, 294) on opportunities and challenges for sustainable energy. This proposal will aim at devising "nano/micro/meso/multifunctional intensification strategies for multiphase reactors/materials" with focus on upgrade/conversion of fossil/biomass energy. A common thread to these systems is their multiscale/multiphase nature and curse of scales that challenge both understanding and harnessing into well-conceived technologies. The emphasis will be on acquiring fundamental (experimental and theoretical) knowledge and understanding on three distinct but complementary spatial scales where phenomena may cause bottlenecks. These are scrutinized in three corresponding short-term objectives 1) Nanoscale intensification; 2)Microscale intensification in gas-liquid micropacked beds); 3) Meso/megascale intensification for RTIL-aided oil sand extraction.