Zhenghe Xu

Current Job Openings

Graduate Opportunities

Magnetic carrier technology (M. Eng/Ph.D): This is a rapidly growing research area. It is based on the surface modification of fine magnetic particles using surface coating techniques. The coated particles have potential applications in biological cell separations, removal of contaminants from industrial effluents, coatings on fiber optics for communication systems, biological sensors, diagnostic tools in medicine, and carriers for drug delivery. The student will develop a novel technique to coat magnetic particles with tailored functionalities. The extensive characterization using surface analytical instruments is involved in this project.

Interfacial phenomena in oil-sands processing (M. Eng/Ph.D): This is a joint project with professor Jacob Masliyah. We are recruiting two students, one working on the fundamentals and the other, on process development. Processing of Alberta oil-sands to extract bitumen will secure Canadian energy source for the next 200 years, and the flotation shows great promise for primary separation. In flotation, various colloidal interactions determine the success and efficiency of separation. Therefore, it is essential to understand these interactions. The student will measure the forces between various phases directly with the atomic force microscope, complemented by contact angle and zeta potential measurements. The fundamental knowledge derived will be used in understanding the problems encountered in the existing oil extraction process and in developing a more versatile, effective process.

Coal cleaning and mercury emission control (M. Eng/Ph.D): This is a new initiative with EPCOR/Alberta Energy Research Institute to understand mercury emission and control strategies. In this project, a new instrumentation facility will be established to measure mercury content at ppt level. The facility will be used to characterize the mercury occurrence and association, the information needed for developing mercury emission control strategy. The options to be considered include coal cleaning and precombustion.