About myself

In 2019, for the first time I joined the Lebensmittelverfahrenstechnik Institute as a part of the final step of my master’s graduation in chemical engineering which I finished at my home University “Universidad de los Andes” in Colombia. At that time, in the framework of a short project, I investigated the diffusion phenomena and stability of double emulsions in systems composed by water in oil and water (water-in-oil-in-water emulsions). I analyzed stability of double emulsions with polyvinyl alcohol as an emulsifier, using interfacial tension measurements and coalescence behavior analysis. This experience, my background in research and education, and a scholarship from Colombian Government allowed me to come back to Germany in January 2021 and join LVT institute again to start my PhD and gain deep understanding about interfacial phenomena and stability of single and double emulsions using two different approaches: molecular simulations and interfacial experiments.

Research focus

My research interest focus on the single and double emulsions field. I am interested in understanding how governing principles in interfacial phenomena and the interaction between different surfactants, ions and other particles at interfaces, their dynamic mechanisms such as diffusion and adsorption, affects emulsion stability and coalescence behavior. This understanding involves a multi scale approach from molecular and microscopy scales to macroscopy applications, implementing molecular simulations and several experimental techniques.

Methods

My studies implies both computational methods and experimental methods as well. The computational approach requires molecular dynamics simulations to provide information on how molecules actually move in emulsions interfaces. I would like to study and better understand time-dependent phenomena, non-equilibrium effects, and other transport phenomena in interfacial systems (Emulsions). The experimental approach spans characterizations of transport and adsorption behavior of different emulsifiers from liquid phase dispersions through hydrophilic and lipophilic phases by using interfacial tensions measurements, microscopy imaging, high-speed imaging, and microfluidics techniques.