Asterios Gavriilidis

My group is carrying out research on continuous flow reactors, using advanced experimental methodologies and reactor modelling tools. The reactors we study and develop are often multiphase and contain heterogeneous catalysts. Our approach is based on fundamental understanding and evaluation of the chemical and catalytic reactions involved and their interaction with hydrodynamics, mass and heat transfer. We utilise microstructured reactors to intensify generation of kinetic and mechanistic information and millifluidic reactors to improve the production of chemicals and nanomaterials in terms of robustness, sustainability and product quality. The reactors have been used to perform various reactions such as catalytic oxidations, hydrogenations, epoxidations, ozonolysis of relevance to the pharmaceutical industry as well as nanomaterials synthesis with healthcare applications. We collaborate with chemists, microbiologists, pharmacists and other engineers to ensure the products fulfill the requirements for the intended applications, which have recently included gold nanoclusters for antimicrobial surfaces and iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer hyperthermia.