Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/G010269/1
Opening the black box: Imaging nanoparticle transport with magnetic resonance imaging
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor VR Phoenix, University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr WM Holmes, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
- Grant held at:
- University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Quality
- Pollution
- Hydrogeology
- Abstract:
- Understanding the transport of nanoparticles through porous geologic material is imperative to provide effective prediction and mitigation of nanoparticlulate pollution. Often, packed column experiments containing rock, sediment or soil are used to quantify how nanoparticles move through these media. Whilst highly informative, the data obtained is a bulk average of a complex and heterogeneous array of interactions within the column. Like natural systems, the material within the column will display complex heterogeneities in geometry, hydrodynamics and microbiology. Problematically, because this material is not 'see-through' we cannot look inside to directly visualize how these heterogeneities impact the transport of the nanoparticle. This, however, can change. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly versatile tool which can image pore structure and fluid flow in opaque geological material. Moreover, molecules labelled with a paramagnetic tag are readily visible to MRI enabling their transport through porous systems to be imaged in real time. Such technology is heavily used in the medical sciences to track the transport of molecules of interest in human and other mammalian systems. In this study we propose to use MRI and nanoparticles labelled with a paramagnetic tag to image nanoparticulate transport and fate in packed columns. Experiments will also be performed on the same material after biofilms have been allowed to grow in the pore networks (the biofilms are expected to behave as major sinks for the nanoparticles). Critically, this will demonstrate how such a method can be used to reveal how the complex heterogeneities in these systems contribute to the overall bulk transport of nanoparticulates. Ultimately, this technique will enable researchers to probe nanoparticulate transport in complex systems and moreover, to develop well-founded predictive models of nanoparticulate transport.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/G010269/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £23,268
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DI - Equipment | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £6,261 | £5,089 | £5,646 | £3,196 | £1,596 | £1,232 | £248 |
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