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Anthony J.C. Ladd - Modeling, Theory, and Simulation

  • Transport, Molecular Thermodynamics, and Electrochemical Engineering
  • Modeling, Theory, and Simulation
  • Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Science
  • Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
  • Complex and Multiphase Flow Dynamics
  • Biomolecular Engineering, Cellular Engineering, and Synthetic Biology
  • Advanced Materials, Devices, and Nanotechnology

    • We develop mathematical theories, AI-based algorithms, and computational simulations across the atomistic, particle, and continuum levels to model chemical engineering processes, with the aims of gaining fundamental scientific knowledge and devising next-generation applications in in-space manufacturing, renewable energy, drug delivery, geological formation, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and membrane-based separation.

    Faculty

    Photo of Anthony J.C. Ladd

    Anthony Ladd

    Professor
    Work Office: CHE 225 Lab: CHE 229 1006 Center Drive Work Phone: (352) 392-6509 Website: Ladd Lab

    Biography

    OUR RESEARCH FOCUSES ON DYNAMICS at scales that are small macroscopically (μm to mm), but are large compared to molecular sizes. The research combines statistical mechanics and fluid dynamics with advanced computing to elucidate the key physical processes that underlie laboratory observations and measurements. Current applications include:

    REACTIVE TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA Flow and transport in porous media are usually modeled at the Darcy scale, where the system is described locally by average properties, such as porosity, permeability, dispersion coefficients, and reactive surface area. Although this allows large volumes to be simulated efficiently, there are serious difficulties in developing suitable models for the properties of the individual elements. Pore-scale modeling overcomes many of the limitations of Darcy-scale models, replacing unknown functions with well-defined parameters. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear that a single set of parameters – fluid viscosity, ion diffusion coefficients, and surface reaction rates – can consistently describe the dissolution of samples with different pore structures. The goal of our DOE sponsored project is to investigate the dissolution of idealized samples both numerically and experimentally to prove (or disprove) the correctness of the underlying equations.

    MIGRATION OF DNA IN COMBINED FLOW AND ELECTRIC FIELDS This project (in collaboration with Dr. Jason Butler) aims to investigate both the fundamental physics and potential biotechnological applications of the effect of a combination of hydrodynamic shear and electric field. From a fundamental point of view, the interest is to better understand the novel mechanism by which a charged polymer (like DNA) can be manipulated in directions perpendicular to the field lines. In a simple microfluidic device this can cause a rapid accumulation and trapping of the DNA, with implications for both biosensing and DNA extraction applications.

    Education

    Ph.D., 1978, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England

    Research Areas

    Complex Fluids
    Soft Matter
    Transport phenomena

    Awards & Distinctions

    • American Institute of Chemical Engineers Thomas Baron Award
    • American Physical Society Fellow
    • Humboldt Research Award

    Publications