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

这项研究是由最近的一篇关于可持续能源的机遇和挑战的自然视角文章(Chu&Majudar(2012)自然488,294)推动的。该提案旨在制定“多相反应堆/材料的纳米/微米/介观/多功能强化战略”，重点是化石/生物质能源的升级/转换。这些系统的一个共同主线是它们的多尺度/多阶段性质和尺度的诅咒，这既挑战了对精心设计的技术的理解，也挑战了对其的利用。重点将是在现象可能造成瓶颈的三个不同但相辅相成的空间尺度上获得基本(实验和理论)知识和理解。1)纳米尺度强化；2)气液微填充床中的微尺度强化；3)RTIL辅助油砂开采的中尺度/兆尺度强化。

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.