Events

Dr. Chun Huh, Research Professor at UT Austin, will present a talk entitled "Wonders of Magnetic Nanoparticles" as part of the Claude R. Hocott Graduate Seminar Series.

Abstract: Paramagnetic nanoparticles, usually made of Fe₃O₄ and of 10-50 nm size, have properties that are useful for a variety of scientific and industrial applications: (i) with proper surface coating, they act as superb stabilizers for foams and emulsions; and with application of directed magnetic field gradient, such emulsions can serve as chemical carrier to target locations, or their generation is employed as an efficient separation scheme; (ii) with proper surface coating, the nanoparticles can be delivered and attached to the target locations to carry out certain desired functions as described below; (iii) with application of external magnetic field oscillation at a certain frequency range, the above nanoparticles can generate intense localized heat (known as hyperthermia), or probe local environments and emit induction responses, e.g., for enhanced medical imaging of specific human organs; (iv) the nanoparticles delivered to the target can act as catalysts, or be used for selective removal of certain chemicals from there; and a number of other applications. Because of the above potential benefits, biomedical and other industrial researchers are actively developing specially engineered paramagnetic nanoparticles; and we are exploring the possible use of similar nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery and other oil industry applications. As an example, our recent work on the feasibility of employing the hyperthermia concept, to heat inner surfaces of oil production facilities efficiently for flow assurance purposes, is described. Other ideas that we are pursuing are also briefly described.