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Contact details +6469517539

Dr Emilia Nowak

Senior Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Food and Advanced Technology
  • PostDoc @ University of Birmingham, 2013-16

Imperial College London (ICL) is developing next generation of modelling tools that can handle fast & small-scale phenomena which with UCL we experimentally challenged them with, as well as large-scale & slow ones done by Nottingham.

Outcomes, vision and ambition of the research on transient, multiphase systems can be found here:  
MEMPHIS Multiphase (www.memphis-multiphase.org)

  • PostDoc @ University of Birmingham, 2012 - 2013

I was a part of a world’s largest collaborative project for the research and development of nanofluid coolants. This EU project comprised of 12 leading European companies (e.g. Siemens) and research centres (e.g. KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm) to develop cooling system for a range of industrial applications: NANOHEX (www.nanohex.org)

  • Research Fellow in School of Chemical Engineering @ University of Birmingham, 2012

Hydrocolloid Formulations Engineered for Properties in the GI Tract

  • PhD in School of Chemical Engineering @ University of Birmingham, 2013

Thesis title: "Bubbles – catalysts – oil interactions at elevated temperature and pressure in Fischer Tropsch synthesis" funded by Johnson & Matthey 

Link to thesis: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295882091_Bubbles_-_catalysts_-_oil_interactions_at_elevated_temperature_and_pressure_in_Fischer_Tropsch_synthesis

  • MEng in Chemical and Process Engineering, ZUT, Szczecin, Poland, 2008

Chancellor’s award for exceptional achievements; First Class degree with continuous merit; Best Student in the graduating class;

Master thesis on titanium ore digestion to redesign the batch reactor into the continuous operation. 

  • 2.5 years of the MEng in Automatic Control and Robotics, Electrical Department, ZUT, Szczecin, Poland

Accredited Coach 

Research Field: Dynamic Interactions in Multiphase Systems; Interfacial Phenomena; Colloids, Wettability

Investigator in The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

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Professional

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Experimental interface physics, where dynamic hydrodynamics meets surface chemistry & reactions (aided by theory & computation).

Current research projects include:

  • Encapsulation of aqueous phase inside aqueous phase using Marangoni flow & polymerisation [Marsden funded]
  • Innovative multidimensional manufacturing and intelligent fluid management: chemotaxis & phototaxis [SfTI funded]
  • Interfacial phenomena in the gastrointestinal track [HVN]
  • & all other amazing things that nature does [curiosity driven]

Research Opportunities

  • PostDoc, Research Assistant  (01/10/2020) Fluid dynamics with surface chemistry and polymerization reaction

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Chemical Engineering (090400):
Chemical Science (030000):
Classical Physics (020300):
Colloid and Surface Chemistry (030603):
Engineering (090000):
Fluid Physics (020303):
Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural (030600):
Physical Sciences (020000)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 3 14

Completed Projects

Project Title: Encapsulation of an aqueous liquid in a drop of aqueous liquid

Date Range: 2018 - 2022

Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Philip, AJ., Nikanjam, N., Nowak, E., & Mutukumira, AN. (2020). Surface Pasteurisation of Fresh Chicken Meat using UV-C Technology. Engineering in Agriculture, Environment and Food. 13(4), 121-128
[Journal article]Authored by: Mutukumira, A., Nowak, E.
Li, M., Rivera, S., Franklin, D., Nowak, E., Hallett, I., Kolenderska, S., . . . East, A. (2021). Use of optical coherence tomography and light microscopy for characterisation of mechanical properties and cellular level responses of ‘Centurion’ blueberries during weight loss. Journal of Food Engineering. 303
[Journal article]Authored by: East, A., Li, M., Nowak, E., Urbanska, M.
Du Le, H., Loveday, SM., Nowak, E., Niu, Z., & Singh, H. (2020). Pectin emulsions for colon-targeted release of propionic acid. Food Hydrocolloids. 103
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E., Singh, H.
Raoufi, F., Ranjbar, Z., Rategar, S., Nowak, E., & Nazari, B. (2020). Wettability study of super-hydrophobic silica aerogel powders. Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings. 13(2), 75-83
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Livney, YD., Niu, Z., & Singh, H. (2019). Delivery of bioactives in food for optimal efficacy: What inspirations and insights can be gained from pharmaceutics?. Trends in Food Science and Technology. 91, 557-573
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E., Singh, H.
Roumpea, E., Kovalchuk, NM., Chinaud, M., Nowak, E., Simmons, MJH., & Angeli, P. (2019). Experimental studies on droplet formation in a flow-focusing microchannel in the presence of surfactants. Chemical Engineering Science. 195, 507-518
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Juggett, J., Nowak, E., Rutherfurd-Markwick, K., & Mutukumira, A. (2018). Encapsulation of Curcumin by milk and whey powders using spray drying. Advances in Food Processing and Technology. 2018(2),
[Journal article]Authored by: Mutukumira, A., Nowak, E.
Kahouadji, L., Nowak, E., Kovalchuk, N., Chergui, J., Juric, D., Shin, S., . . . Matar, OK. (2018). Simulation of immiscible liquid–liquid flows in complex microchannel geometries using a front-tracking scheme. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. 22(11)
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Kovalchuk, NM., Roumpea, E., Nowak, E., Chinaud, M., Angeli, P., & Simmons, MJH. (2018). Effect of surfactant on emulsification in microchannels. Chemical Engineering Science. 176, 139-152
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Story, A., Jaworski, Z., Simmons, MJ., & Nowak, E. (2018). Comparative PIV and LDA studies of Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows in an agitated tank. Chemical Papers. 72(3), 593-602
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Xie, Z., Kovalchuk, NM., Matar, OK., & Simmons, MJH. (2017). Bulk advection and interfacial flows in the binary coalescence of surfactant-laden and surfactant-free drops. Soft Matter. 13(26), 4616-4628
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Kovalchuk, NM., Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2017). Kinetics of liquid bridges and formation of satellite dropletsDifference between micellar and bi-layer forming solutions. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 521, 193-203
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Kovalchuk, NM., Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2016). Effect of Soluble Surfactants on the Kinetics of Thinning of Liquid Bridges during Drops Formation and on Size of Satellite Droplets. Langmuir. 32(20), 5069-5077
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Kovalchuk, NM., Che, Z., & Simmons, MJH. (2016). Effect of surfactant concentration and viscosity of outer phase during the coalescence of a surfactant-laden drop with a surfactant-free drop. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 505, 124-131
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Haghighi, EB., Utomo, AT., Ghanbarpour, M., Zavareh, AIT., Nowak, E., Khodabandeh, R., . . . Palm, B. (2015). Combined effect of physical properties and convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids on their cooling efficiency. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer. 68, 32-42
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Pacek, AW. (2015). Method for the prediction of the particle attachment to the bubble in oil at elevated temperatures. Powder Technology. 274, 105-111
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Story, A., Jaworski, Z., Simmons, MH., & Nowak, E. (2014). PIV measurements of the velocity field of a Newtonian fluid in a stirred tank equipped with the PMT type impeller. Technical Transactions. (Chemistry 2) Retrieved from https://cup.columbia.edu/
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Combes, G., Stitt, EH., & Pacek, AW. (2013). A comparison of contact angle measurement techniques applied to highly porous catalyst supports. Powder Technology. 233, 52-64
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Robbins, P., Combes, G., Stitt, EH., & Pacek, AW. (2013). Measurements of contact angle between fine, non-porous particles with varying hydrophobicity and water and non-polar liquids of different viscosities. Powder Technology. 250, 21-32
[Journal article]Authored by: Nowak, E.

Book

Spyropoulos, F., & Nowak, E. (2013). Hydrocolloid formulations engineered for properties in the GI tract. In Formulation Engineering of Foods. (pp. 233 - 252).
[Chapter]Authored by: Nowak, E.

Thesis

Nowak, E. (2013). Bubbles–catalysts–oil interactions at elevated temperature and pressure in Fischer Tropsch synthesis. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Nowak, E.

Conference

Maslova, K., Willmott, G., & Nowak, E. (2021, January). Kinetics of polymerisation reaction of alginate gels. Presented at Fluids in New Zealand 2021. Christchurch.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Tapia-Zapata, N., Love, RJ., Nowak, E., & East, AR.Studies on the pressure distribution inside palletised packages during precooling. Refrigeration Science and Technology. (pp. 512 - 518). 0151-1637.
[Conference]Authored by: East, A., Love, R., Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., kovalchuk, N., xie, Z., Kahouadji, L., matar, O., & simmons, M. (2019, February). Interfacial and bulk flows triggered by the presence of surfactants. Presented at AMN9
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Nowak, E. (2019, September). Coalescence of drops having different composition. Presented at 8th Asian Conference on Colloid and Interface Science
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., kovalchuk, N., xie, Z., matar, O., & simmons, M. (2019, September). Spontaneous interfacial and bulk flows triggered by the presence of surfactants in the drops coalescence. Presented at 33rd Conference of The European Colloid and Interface Society
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Kovalchuk, N., Xie, Z., Kahouadji, L., Matar, O., & Simmons, M. (2019, February). Binary coalescence of drops with bulk and interfacial flows triggered by the presence of surfactant. Presented at The 9th Australian Colloid and Interface Symposium. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Willmott, G. (2019, January). On the vortex formation upon drops coalescence. Presented at Fluids in New Zealand 2019. Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Tapia, NI., Love, RJ., Nowak, E., & East, AR.Experimental measurements of the pressure drop loss coefficient for vent configurations of packaging designed for air cooling of horticultural products. Refrigeration Science and Technology. (pp. 3101 - 3108). 0151-1637.
[Conference]Authored by: East, A., Love, R., Nowak, E.
Matia-Merino, L., Tresidder, R., Hardacre, A., Nowak, E., & Goh, K. (2018, April). Encapsulating Mamaku Gum—a shear-thickening polysaccharide. Presented at 17th Food Colloids Conference: Application of Soft Matter Concepts. Leeds, United Kingdom.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Goh, K., Matia-Merino, M., Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Xie, Z., Pain, C., Matar, O., & Simmons, M. (2017, February). Convective motion upon coalescence of droplets having different composition. Presented at Fluids in New Zealand 2017
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Pacek, A. (2017). Measuring and predicting the attachment of particles to gas/liquid interface. Poster session presented at the meeting of Fluids in New Zealand 2017
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Simmons, M., Nowak, E., Xie, Z., Pain, C., & Matar, O. (2016, November). Surface flows and bulk mixing by coalescence of dissimilar drops: experiments and numerical simulations. Presented at 69th American Physics Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics. Portland, Oregon.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Simmons, M., Kahouadji, L., Craster, R., Matar, O., Juric, D., . . . Sengwon, S. (2016, November). Experimental and numerical study of a complex cross‐junction microchannel. Presented at 69th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics. Portland, Oregon.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Kahouadji, L., Matar, OK., & Simmons, MJH. (2016, May). Jetting regime in co-flowing capillary jets in confined geometry. Presented at 9th International Conference on Multiphase Flow (ICMF 2016). Italy.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Kovalchuk, NM., Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2016, May). Break up of capillary bridges: effect of soluble surfactant. Presented at 9th International Conference on Multiphase Flow (ICMF 2016). Firenze, Italy.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2015). Binary coalescence of surfactant-laden aqueous drops in oil when the surfactant concentration is non-uniform. Poster session presented at the meeting of Droplets 2015
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Kovalchuk, NM., & Simmons, MJH. (2015). Effect of surfactant on kinetics of thinning of capillary bridges. Poster session presented at the meeting of 68th APS DFD
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2015, July). Coalescence of surfactant laden aqueous drops in oils, 6th International Workshop on Bubble and Drop Interfaces. Presented at Bubbles & Droplets 2015
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Kovalchuk, NM., & Simmons, MJH. (2015, November). Coalescence of surfactant-laden drops in liquids. Presented at 68th American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Lu, Y., Nowak, E., Percival, J., Pain, C., & Simmons, MH. (2014, November). Influence of surface properties and miscibility upon displacement flow in microchannels. Presented at 67th APS DFD
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Simmons, MH. (2014, November). Exploiting droplet formation in microfluidic devices to create functional particles. Presented at APS DFD
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Simmons, MJH. (2013). Influence of the surfactant concentrations and the Capillary number on the non-Newtonian liquid droplet formation in different microfluidic geometries. Poster session presented at the meeting of Microfluidics 2014
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., Simmons, MH., Craster, R., & Matar, O. (2013, November). Influence of surfactant concentration on drop formation from the rupture of viscous liquid filaments. Presented at 66th APS DFD
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Nowak, E.
Nowak, E., & Pacek, AW. (2011). Critical analysis of different methods for measurement of contact angle of catalyst support. Poster session presented at the meeting of CAMURE 8 & ISMR-7
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Nowak, E.

Teaching and Supervision

Teaching Statement

124.171  Physical Principles for Engineering and Technology 1

124.172  Physical principles for Engineering and Technology 2

141.212 Food Technology 4: Manufacturing

280.271  Heat and Mass - Conservation and Transfer

280.272  Fluid flow and particle technology 

280.371  Process Engineering Operations

280.372  Reaction technologies and Process Modelling

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 1 1

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Nicolas Tapia Zapata - Doctor of Philosophy
    Mathematical modelling of airflow during forced draft precooling operations

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2020 - Hoang Du Le - Doctor of Philosophy
    Carbohydrate-based oil-in-water emulsions for delivery of short-chain fatty acids

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