Purdue University Graduate School
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WAVE PHENOMENA IN FLUID MEDIA FOR CHARACTERIZATION AND TRANSPORT OF NANOPARTICLES

thesis
posted on 2025-01-27, 20:47 authored by Andres Barrio-ZhangAndres Barrio-Zhang

This doctoral thesis investigates how wave phenomena, including light and acoustic waves, can be harnessed to characterize and manipulate fluids, suspensions, and nanoparticles. It explores light-matter interactions and their role in material characterization, leveraging the complex refractive index as a material fingerprint. Additionally, it examines acoustic wave interactions to enhance particle separation and manipulation in fluid media.

The research introduces a portable Schlieren imaging system for real-time detection of refractive index gradients in pharmaceutical solutions, providing insights into heterogeneity and diffusion during thawing. A novel method based on Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction theory is developed to size and determine the refractive index of sub-micron particles from holographic data, enabling precise particle characterization. Enhanced filtration performance in fiber filters is demonstrated using standing acoustic waves, with observed efficiency improvements through different fiber arrangements. Finally, the thesis presents Spectral Interferometric SCATtering (SiSCAT) microscopy, a label-free system that combines interferometry and wavelength-dependent scattering to achieve chemically dependent nanoparticle characterization.

These findings advance the fields of biophysics, materials science, and nanotechnology, offering innovative tools for material and particle analysis.

Funding

CONAHCYT, NSF, CHPB

History

Degree Type

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Department

  • Mechanical Engineering

Campus location

  • West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Arezoo Ardekani

Additional Committee Member 2

Steve Wereley

Additional Committee Member 3

Luis Solorio

Additional Committee Member 4

Sadegh Dabiri