Small Particles Hoisting Gigantic Industrial Processes - the Application of Particle Technology in the Real World

Jesse Zhu
Western University

3:30pm - December 2, 2021 Online

Abstract:

Fine particles under 30 microns are very sticky and therefore extremely difficult to handle, due to the stronger interparticle forces, leading to poor powder flowability and fluidization. However, they are also very useful due to their small size and the very large specific surface areas. A nano-modulation technology has been developed that can significantly enhance fine particle flowability by coating a small fraction of nano particles onto their surfaces.
Using this technology, the speaker's research group has been able to develop a few technologies including an ultrafine powder coating technology, a pulmonary drug delivery technology and a novel powder coating technology for pharmaceutical tablets, some of which have been commercialized or are being commercialized. This talk will review some of the stories behind the technological development and reveal some critical details of the technologies.

Biography:

Dr. Jesse Zhu is a Distinguished University Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University. He received his PhD from the University of British Columbia and also worked for Shell before joining Western in 1993. In 1999, he established the Particle Technology Research Centre and has served as its Director since then. He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Canada and has received many awards including the highest career award from the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering and the highest research award from Western University.

Dr. Zhu has many years of experience in the research area of powder handling, fluidized bed and multi-phase flow systems. With 400+ publications, 50+ patents, and over 200 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows supervised, he has worked on a very wide range of R&D projects, many from the industry. In addition to fundamental research, he is particularly active in technology development and transfer, with several inventions commercialized or being commercialized.