Horst Complex

dr. M.H.G. Duits (Michael)

Associate Professor
TNW-CE-PCF
Horst Complex ME158
m.h.g.duits@utwente.nl
+31534893097
Business card

MISSION

The research carried out in the PCF group under my (co-) supervision is aimed at understanding how microscopic phenomena at the solid-liquid interface can influence the macroscopic behavior of particle suspensions, including both kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. Dissemination of the obtained insights via peer reviewed papers and conferences is an integral part of this research. I also consider it important to enthuse students and young researchers, and prepare them for a career in either science or engineering.

CURRENT RESEARCH

Self-assembly of complex colloids

Colloidal interactions like electrostatic, van der Waals or entropic (e.g. polymer depletion) forces offer a powerful toolbox for designing and synthesizing new colloids, which acquire functionality via the presence of different colloidal units within the self-assembled particle. Examples are photocatalytic properties due to a co-presence of semiconductor and noble metal units, controlled surface-roughness via a controlled surface-assembly on a host particle, lock-and-key colloids, and more. The assembly process and the resulting functional interactions are studied with 3D optical microscopy, SEM, AFM, rheology, etc.

Mineral dissolution and carbonation

The dissolution of olivine rock and its subsequent carbonation into thermodynamically stable magnesite, offers a promising pathway for CCS technology but needs significant improvement of the rate and efficiency of the chemical conversion. The dissolution can be accelerated by natural organic additives and slowed down by surface alteration layers. In concentrated slurries and sediments, the confined nature of the fluid can significantly change the reaction kinetics via the altered concentration gradients near the reacting particles. This is studied with Confocal Raman Microscopy, SEM, AFM, etc.

CURRENT TEACHING

 Soft Matter Physics

Advanced Colloids and Interfaces                                                       

Characterization of NanoStructures                                                             

Soft & Biological Techniques

Sports Physics consultancy

KEYWORDS: Solid-Liquid Interfaces, Colloids, Suspensions, Rheology.

Expertise

  • Material Science

    • Surface
    • Particle
    • Contact Angle
    • Wettability

  • Chemistry

    • Oil
    • Wetting
    • Water Type
    • Ion

Organisations

Guided PhD students (past 10 years):

A.D. Le (2023), B. Ilhan (2021), S.S. Nair (2021), M. Haagh (2020), A. Narayanan (2020), A.M. Pit (2017), B. Bera (2016), L. Wang (2016), S. Ghosh (2015)

Other UT PhD committees (past 10 years):

A. Paul (2023), M.A. Junker (2023), H. Shi (2019), I. Stojanovic (2016)

External PhD committees (past 10 years):

I. Azizov (2022, Trondheim), M. Saadat (2021, Trondheim), Y. Gong (2017, Trondheim), C. Buchcic (2016, Wageningen), B. van Ravensteijn (2015, Utrecht), H. Monteillet (2015, Wageningen)

Sabbaticals at:

Univ. Bonn, Prof. Thorsten Geisler-Wierwille (2025)

Univ. of Pennsylvania, Prof. Daeyeon Lee (2018)

Publications

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022

2024

Multiscale analysis of the effects of acidic and Mg-scavenging reactive fluids on olivine dissolution (2024)[Contribution to conference › Poster] MESA+ Day 2024. Alagia, V. E., Mohanakumar, S., Duits, M., Nederstigt, M., Sîretanu, I. & Mugele, F.Exploring Additive-Mediated Surface Alterations in Olivine for Enhanced Reactivity in Carbon Capture (2024)[Contribution to conference › Poster] Heraeus Seminar 'Solid-Water-Interfaces at the Molecular Level' 2024. Mohanakumar, S., Alagia, V. E., Sîretanu, I., Duits, M. & Mugele, F.• Probing electrolytes’ impact on interfacial layers that influence olivine dissolution (2024)[Contribution to conference › Poster] 805. WE Heraeus-Stiftung Solid-Water Interfaces at the Molecular Level 2024. Alagia, V. E., Mohanakumar, S., Duits, M., Sîretanu, I. & Mugele, F.Probing electrolytes’ impact on interfacial layers that influence olivine dissolution (2024)[Contribution to conference › Poster] NWO Physics 2024. Alagia, V. E., Mohanakumar, S., Duits, M., Sîretanu, I. & Mugele, F.

2023

Microfluidics for Carbonate Rock Improved Oil Recovery: Some Lessons from Fabrication, Operation, and Image Analysis (2023)SPE journal, 28(6). Article SPE-213465-PA. Duits, M. H. G., Le, D. A., Ayirala, S. C., Alotaibi, M. B., Gardeniers, H., Yousef, A. A. & Mugele, F.https://doi.org/10.2118/213465-paElastometry of Complex Fluid Pendant Capsules (2023)Langmuir, 39(46), 16303-16314. Stetten, A. Z., Kratz, F. S., Schilderink, N., Ayirala, S., Duits, M. H. G., Kierfeld, J. & Mugele, F.https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01845Assessing Dissolution Rates and Passivating Layer Effects in Olivine Weathering for Enhanced Carbon Mineralization (2023)[Contribution to conference › Poster] MESA+ Day 2023. Alagia, V. E., Duits, M., Sîretanu, I., Mohanakumar, S. & Mugele, F.Raman characterization of passivating layer during olivine dissolution (2023)[Contribution to conference › Poster] IUPAC|Chains 2023. Alagia, V. E., Mohanakumar, S., Duits, M. & Mugele, F.A green rock for a greener future: in situ tracking of reaction-limiting interphase in olivine-based CO2 mineralization (2023)[Contribution to conference › Poster] NWO Physics@Veldhoven 2023. Alagia, V. E., Duits, M., Sîretanu, I., Dijkstra, A. & Mugele, F.Microfluidic chips for oil recovery from carbonate reservoirs at elevated temperatures (2023)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Le, D. A.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036555043Microfluidics for Carbonate Rock IOR: Some Lessons From Fabrication, Operation and Image Analysis (2023)In Society of Petroleum Engineers - Middle East Oil, Gas and Geosciences Show, MEOS 2023. Article SPE-213465-MS (SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, MEOS, Proceedings). Society of Plastic Engineers. Duits, M. H. G., Le-Anh, D., Ayirala, S. C., Alotaibi, M. B., Gardeniers, H., AlYousef, A. A. & Mugele, F.https://doi.org/10.2118/213465-MS

2022

Oil Displacement in Calcite-Coated Microfluidic Chips via Waterflooding at Elevated Temperatures and Long Times (2022)Micromachines, 13(8). Article 1316. Le-Anh, D., Rao, A., Stetten, A. Z., Ayirala, S. C., Alotaibi, M. B., Duits, M. H. G., Gardeniers, H., AlYousef, A. A. & Mugele, F.https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13081316

Research profiles

Courses:

 Soft Matter Physics

Advanced Colloids and Interfaces                                                       

Characterization of NanoStructures                                                             

Soft & Biological Techniques

Sports Physics consultancy

Supervision:

BSc: L Baljint (2024), M Reuvekamp (2023), MSc: J Schoppink (2019)

External Graduation committees:

BSc: C Evers (2024), E ten Hove (2024), MSc: H Stokkel (2024), H de Wolf (2020), P Nicolella (2018)

Affiliated study programs

Courses academic year 2024/2025

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Courses academic year 2023/2024

Address

University of Twente

Horst Complex (building no. 20), room ME158
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands

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