Research Projects - New Birkin group research web pages

‘We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.’
 
Oscar Wilde
Lady Windermere’s Fan
1892
 
Birkin Research Group
Particles, bubbles and sound, at the interface.
Northern Lights
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Current projects
Sand Particle Impact
 
 
Particles, when thrown against surfaces, can cause damage.  We have developed a set of approaches to study the impact in detail.  This often combines high-speed camera imaging with dynamic electrochemical experiments.  One such example is the use of high-speed impedance measurements.  These measurements are able to measure the impedance of an electrode with a time resolution exceeding 2 µs.  The project is now investigating other interesting particles and the influence of an individual particle on the surface of the electrode employed.
HIU for Food Systems
 
 Bubble dynamics in the food processing is a useful, yet ill-defined, technology.  It has been shown that the application of power ultrasound to an oil accelerates the crystallisation process.  However, the efficiency and effect of this process requires considerable experimentation.  We, in collaboration with colleagues in the US, are investigating the effects of bubble dynamics driven by power ultrasound (high intensity ultrasound or HIU) on the crystallisation and properties of the resultant food materials.  This project uses a combination of approaches including high-speed imaging, laser scattering, electrochemistry and acoustic measurements.
Nanoparticle Impact and Detection
 
 The detection and characterisation of nanoparticles is an interesting but challenging area.  We are using a range of novel techniques to investigate these processes including high-speed electrochemical impedance, transient pulse sensing and new electrode/pore structures.
High-Speed Impedance for Dynamic Electrochemical Processes
 
 Impedance measurements of transient electrochemical processes is useful for determining extra information on the effect of particles on electrode surfaces; including their motion and position with respect to the sensing interface.  We have developed techniques, which are able to characterise these systems at the micro to nanosecond timescale.
Technology - Blue Sky to Real World
 
 
Surface Cleaning
 
 
A suite of technologies, based on cleaning of an interface, has been developed from the activities of the Birkin group.  These have benefited immensely by the 'blue sky' research undertaken in the group.
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