Electric Field Enhanced Crystallisation and Particle Separation

This project will aim at a deeper understanding of the effects of an electric field on particle suspensions and crystallisation processes. Due to a strong electric field in an isolator solvent suspension particle movement and particle collection at the electrode occur. To understand the phenomenon we will relate particle and solution properties to the electric field enhanced phenomena. We will further investigate whether the crystallisation behaviour of the compounds is influenced by the electric field. This will lead to the identification of scientific principles that govern the interaction between particle and electric field in a suspension. Then, we will identify and develop means to exploit the observed phenomena and scientific principles. We will for instance look into possibilities of separating mixtures of particles. In addition, we will develop electrode configurations to obtain and enhance the phenomena. This will be done both on a macroscopic and a microfluidic scale.

This project aligns with current and future activities of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation (CMAC – www.cmac.ac.uk). The pharmaceutical industry has adopted continuous manufacturing processes as the way forward and CMAC delivers the fundamental and engineering knowledge to enable this. CMAC’s state-of-the-art labs are located in the Technology & Innovation Centre of the University of Strathclyde.

This project also sits astride the three different groups in Chemical & Process Engineering (CPE) in that it combines flow phenomena, nanomaterials electrochemistry and process development. Prof. Roy has over two decades of experience in developing and tuning processes for nano and micron scale materials, their behaviour and stability. The project, therefore, will bring electrochemical nanomaterials expertise to a complete new field of application – crystal separations.